Grumpy old buggers thread

[Saitch]

I shudder tp think what it would cost to get fibre to your house from the nearest node John, but I'd be asking the question any way. you bight have to start a go fund me.

Not a snowflake's chance in hell. I was told I had to use satellite and I'm nowhere near as rural as JD.

Luckily, a savvy mate ran some tests and we went with wireless broadband, which we just sneak in on coverage.

[RANDLOVER]

If you have a landline there are still ADSL providers out there....Compare internet plans in 2025 | finder.com.au This site can be filtered for ADSL and shows 6 plans, would depend on area though. However you might be able to get NBN as the fibre doesn't have to go all the way to your home, just to the node then the last bit is copper, not sure what the distance limit is on that.

ADSL broadband plans:*

Escapenet ADSL Lite 200GB:*This plan offers 200GB of data per month on an ADSL connection for $49.90 per month, with a month-to-month contract.Inspired Broadband ADSL:*This plan provides unlimited data on an ADSL connection for $59.95 per month, under a 12-month contract.Both plans offer ADSL speed, and there's an option to compare them further by viewing details.

[Graeme]

Have you checked the cost of other satellite providers? When we had to use satellite we found quite a difference between providers.

[JDNSW]

If you have a landline there are still ADSL providers out there....Compare internet plans in 2025 | finder.com.au This site can be filtered for ADSL and shows 6 plans, would depend on area though. However you might be able to get NBN as the fibre doesn't have to go all the way to your home, just to the node then the last bit is copper, not sure what the distance limit is on that. .

The distance limit (from memory) is about one twentieth of the distance from here to the exchange - we are on a 9km dedicated line installed 32 years ago as there were no spare pairs on closer lines (closest is about 3km). ADSL has never been available from the exchange. There are not and never have been any "nodes", although I suppose the "exchange" could be considered a node these days since they connected fibre to it about ten years ago to replace the four aerial pairs that had previously connected it to the rest of the network. I think originally when the exchange was installed fifty years ago to replace the manual one (with equipment allegedly taken from a museum) there may have been as many as fifty lines, but there would be a lot fewer today as many of the customers who have mobile coverage have given up their landlines. Note that all the copper in the area, including in the village, I think, is ploughed in cable, no conduits, which replaced the privately owned and maintained party lines connected to the old manual exchange.

[RANDLOVER]

Perhaps they have a tower there now as.....https://www.google.com/url'sa=t&sour...ay8bJDF-2Tg-OT

About nbn? Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless services are provided by both nbn? and independent suppliers, often called Wireless Internet Service Providers or WISPs (see non-nbn? Fixed Wireless). nbn? Fixed Wireless is provided by a network of towers.

To get nbn? Fixed Wireless, you need an adequate level of signal strength from a nbn? Fixed Wireless tower within 29km of your property. Obstacles between the tower and your property such as trees, buildings or hilly terrain can weaken your signal. If the premises can't receive a strong wireless signal, the installation will not proceed....

[Tins]

If the exchange is not provisioned with the correct DSLAMs then ADSL is not possible. I don't see any telcos installing them for a handful of subscribers.
I suppose Starlink is out of the question?

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I tried to open a new account with a bank I have been a customer of for decades - via their online service. For some reason my 'easy as' attempt resulted in my receiving a message that I had to go into the physical branch to open a new account. I did as directed and was subsequently talked down to the teller. The need to open a new account was recommended by a customer service officer attached to the main head office in Queensland. The local cough splutter customer service person said, "who told you that you should open a new account? Why did they say that? I want some ID!"

I replied - "I want to open a new account because that is what your head office suggested I do". My ID was promptly snatched and severely scrutinised. I was then informed, "we don't have the staff to be able to open new accounts! You have to make an appointment". The first appointment was available on a day that did not suit me - because it takes 5 business days to get a new bank card posted out to me - a timeline I could keep if I had a new account opened today. So, I just asked for my ID back and I walked out the door. Customer service - pig's arse!

I then went home and tried their online service again. This time within a couple of flashes of the screen I had my new account. Just to make sure it had a debit card attached to the new account I rang the bank's phone number. I was greeted by one of the most friendly and efficient customer service officers that I have come across so far. They happily confirmed the new account was activated and that it would come with a debit card. I then asked if I could get a replacement card for my existing main account. Ordering a replacement card was not a trouble to them.

By the way, a three or so years ago I needed to get a replacement debit card because I was about to travel interstate and my current card had progressively had a 'chip error' notification come up when I used EFTPOS machines. I went into to the local branch to make sure that nothing went wrong with getting a replacement card because I had a short time frame to do so. Back then I had my first interaction with the same teller I encountered today. Instead of ordering a replacement card they tapped away at the keyboard and then said, "that is done - your card has been cancelled!" When I said that I had clearly stated that I wanted a replacement card - they just laughed at me and went 'oops - sorry'. Because they had cancelled the card it would take longer for the new card to arrive. By the time it arrived in my mailbox I was interstate and had to transfer funds to another card while I was away from home. All because I wanted to deal with a human being in person to ensure things would be done properly.

Obviously, the local teller should go and get trained in being a telephone customer service officer to learn what level of competence should be operated at and what the term 'customer service' actually means.

Lesson learnt today - some times online services are more friendly and competent than in-person encounters.

Kind regards
Lionel

[V8Ian]

I'd be making a complaint about the teller.
I must say, the staff in my bank are polite and helpful, it a shame they're in the only branch servicing a large area and population of 150,000.

[Lionelgee]

I'd be making a complaint about the teller.
I must say, the staff in my bank are polite and helpful, it a shame they're in the only branch servicing a large area and population of 150,000.

Hello Ian,

Three or so years ago I did make the a complaint against the teller.I am sure they are equally incompetent to most of the people they interact with not just giving special treatment to me. They must be related to someone important for them to still be in a job.

Regards
Lionel

[RANDLOVER]

Complain again, unless you're worried they recognised your name from the first complaint, often employers need a pattern of complaints to do something about it.

Another reason the teller might still be employed but not related to anyone is, they have a picture of a bank manager and a goat getting a hotel room together.