As you might have noticed by now, I have a love-hate thing with UTS. They love to make me pay absurd amounts of money and I hate the service that I get in return. It's really not a healthy relationship when you think about it..

Either way, I got a phone call from them this afternoon. I thought they were calling to update me about that problem I had a few weeks ago (I was told that they would call back) but alas, that was not the case. They were actually calling me to tell me that I was "overusing" my 3G and that I shouldn't use it for "heavier" stuff like downloading.

Now here's the thing. I understand in theory why they would do this. No really, I do. The 3G is a shared connection and if some people are hogging it by downloading all day, it hinders others who also want to use the service. Additionally, by calling these people and telling them to take it easy and offering them ADSL in the process, you give these clients a more stable connection to do their daily activities. In the process, you also free up bandwidth for those who use the service for work or on the go and you get more income by getting more people to sign up for your ADSL as well.

You see? Much like communism, it makes sense in theory. But here's the big ironic twist. Throughout the years, I have given UTS an insane amount of money. Like I have mentioned before, I am a Chippie customer, an ADSL customer, a 3G customer, a Telefasil customer and my better half is also a post-paid Blackberry customer.

Let me put this into numbers for you. A while ago, I was paying 330 guilders a month on (no contract) ADSL, which is a very disturbing amount. That's the type of cash that will make you punch a baby. I did a lot of cellphone calling during that time as well, so I was spending about 350 guilders a month on Chippie pre-paid cards. Add it up, and you get about 700 guilders a month.

At the moment, I'm paying 235 guilders a month for Internet (ADSL + 3G) and about 150 for my phone. Add in my better half's Blackberry costs (300 guilders and more), you get the same 700 guilders in monthly costs. Hot Damn!

I may be in the minority here but if I had a client that was giving me 700 guilders a month over a prolonged period of time, I'd make sure that this person WOULD STAY MY CLIENT FOR EVER AND EVER. Seriously, UTS should be sending a messenger to my house to sing songs for me and serenade me outside of my window. My modem should be made of Gold, PURE GOLD. There should be pictures of me all over their office, reminding them of the person who is padding their bank account every month with gratuitous amounts of money.

But no, instead of getting a special "thank you" call from the manager, I got someone telling me that I should use the 3G less. That's an awesome move. Let's call the guy who throws money at us and piss him off. Let's tell him to use our service less. He's paying for it, but LET'S PUT RESTRICTIONS ON IT BECAUSE WE CAN.

Awesome. I wish I had power like that. I wish I could call a loyal customer and tell him that he should use my service LESS. It's really a thing of beauty when you think about it...

I may have mentioned that I moved twice this year. Moving twice meant moving my ADSL twice and those who have done it know that moving your ADSL is the equivalent of getting kicked in the stomach repeatedly for 12 hours. During the first move, I had to wait 5 weeks to get my ADSL. I'm not kidding, the entire process took 5 weeks. When I moved the second time, they had some mercy and only made me wait 3 weeks to get my ADSL. I mean, it's dedication like that that makes me write articles like this.

If you lost track of anything I wrote...let me summarize. Client uses all of your services. Client has paid every bill on time for years. Client gives you 700 guilders or more a month. Client moves and stays without service for over a month. Client gets called and gets told to use service in a different way...a service THAT HE IS PAYING FOR!

Good times. Good times indeed...

Excuse me while I go wrestle a porcupine.

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Comments (3)

• |2009-10-16 00:58:31 Rick  - Criminal behaviour
  

  Wow!! Message wel received
  
  What UTS is doing is really!! criminal behaviour just as the other providers are doing. The sadest thing is that this criminal behaviour is accepted just as on Wall Street.
  
  Just like I want to get ride of the Prepaid from Scarlet and demanding my money back ,because it really really really sucks. I have send them a complain letter but they never received it. I have send it also from my other email adress and they still haven't received it. So I am now at obstacle 1000 from the 10000000000000 more to come.
  It is getting really anoying and frustrated.
  
  Isn't there a company who controle these misbehaviors on the Island. Is that not an idea for you.
  
  Beacause I have noticed that Aruba Setar(the UTS from Aruba) is far more friendly as it comes to internet and price. Especially the downloading speed!!!
  
  I am actually planning to take the 3g from MIO, but I am so afraid that this will be again a mis. I am often found on youtube or watching movies so downloading speed must be as of high standard. Can you please advice :-(
  Because I have to pay Nafl 617,- at once. So this can hurt the wallet again if it is a mis.
  
  Thank you and keep up the good work.
  
  There must be someone on the Islands who is shaking the people awake!!! People are paying way to much for this medium. It actually must be a free service :-)
  
  Regards,
  
  Rick
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• |2009-10-16 16:27:46 David
  

  I hear you Rick. It really borders on criminal sometimes when you think of what customers go through here.
  
  As for the MIO 3G, I know 2 people who have it and I have tested it myself and results were pretty good. The UTS 3G usually works well as well, it's only that they don't want you to use it for gaming, downloading or bandwidth "hogging" activities.
  
  If you are looking for high speeds with no restrictions, your best option is to take ADSL. You can get the 2MB for 149,- a month and have high, dedicated speed. The downside however is that you are "tied" to your phone line, you are not mobile and you will be signing a two year contract.
  
  Now that Columbus has bought Curacao Cable, it might be worth waiting to see that happens there as well. They will be offering cable internet and that should be much much much faster than anything we have available for residents at the moment.
  
  * sigh *
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• |2009-10-18 00:27:00 Rick  - MIO
  

  Hi David,
  
  As per MIO. I am actualy not staying that long on the Island. Goal is to move to Aruba beginning of next year. So the contract part is a challenge.
  
  That's why I thought of MIO. They can give you a 3 month contract. But still I am still afraid regarding the speed part.
  
  You said pretty good. Do you mean to Youtube without any disturbings?
  
  Regards,
  
  Rick
  
  ps Monday is the day to get hopefully my money back from Scarlet or rather DisScarlet.
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• |2009-10-18 00:59:32 David
  

  Hey Rick,
  
  Well, if you are going to move and the contract is the issue, then MIO may be your only choice because of the short contract possibility.
  
  When I tested the 3G, I got good speeds throughout those days. I streamed online tv, youtube...everything.
  
  But, that was about 1 year ago so I don't know how the speeds are now. I did use it last month at someone's place and for those 45 minutes, it worked good.
  
  But again, right now...it's not about the speed..it's about it being your only option because of your situation.
  
  If haven't read my MIO review yet..here's a link..
  
  http://curacaoconnected.com/index.php/component/content/article/34-product-review/131-mio-3g-usb-modem-review
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