T-mobile EE Orange complaint re misleading fair use policy

Dear T-mobile

Here is the complaint on your forums

Having just spent 90 minutes on the phone to T-mobile customer service about why my mobile broadband keeps getting cut off I have had the following answer repeatedly.

1. It is not unlimited. I am redirected to a booster page where I get to "buy" a free 250Mb add on and CAN ONLY DO THIS ONCE.

2. There was apparently a notification of this change but I never received it. I also made a choice of mobile phone contract for my phone based on there being unlimited email and web at home. This turned out to be factually incorrect (see point 1)

3. There is a fault with the proxy page that allows you to buy the free booster or paid for boosters. The page often doesn't appear and you are without internet. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND IS A WASTE OF MY TIME

4. Separately to the discussion about the phone contract I also within the last 3 weeks had a discussion about my email not working from my laptop on mobile broadband and everything else was fine. We had a discussion about the unlimited email and web then and it was confirmed the I still had it. No pending change was mentioned.

For anyone who would like reminded about the terms and conditions, here they are

T-mobile customer help:

T-Mobile Help

See the section "Everything you need to know about tethering and mobile broadband"

Click "Fair use policy"

The fair use policy in the section "everything you need to know about tethering and mobile broadband" is here

Fair use policy (EE, Orange and T-mobile)

"T-Mobile is still the only operator offering unlimited browsing and emailing, and not automatically charging expensive run-on rates after reaching your Fair Use Policy."

"Even after you have reached your Fair Use Policy, you’ll still be able to use your Mobile Broadband for text and image based browsing and emailing. So you can still browse websites, log in to Facebook, check your Hotmail or view the news on the BBC - and we won’t charge you any extra."

This contradicts the 250Mb free only.

Nothing in the above refers specifically to mobile broadband or tethering.

I am absolutely fine about youtube being blocked. I am NOT HAPPY AT ALL about an "unlimited" service meaning 250Mb free extension once a month only and it taking 20 minutes to bring up the page to buy a booster paid or otherwise.

Complaint being drafted to ofcom.

Banking Security

Dear Tesco Bank,

 thank you so much for increasing your security. From now on rather than having to remember a username and password, I now have to remember a username, a longer password, a 6 digit number and a picture. Between yourselves and all the other secure sites I use, this is plainly too much information to remember and so I thank you for forcing me to write it down in the big file on my computer labelled "excessive security written by teams that don't think people will write things down" and it will be stored with all my other login details again due to security teams who stick their heads in the sand and think noone will ever write anything down because it is too complicated to remember. Memorable date? I have several. Which one is the most memorable? At many banks and other secure establishments, they issue RSA keys to their staff and a relatively simple combination of a username, password and the RSA key. If this is good enough to protect your data when being accessed at home by employees then it is good enough to protect my data when being accessed by me. More so if the banks got their collective acts together I could have one RSA key I could register on all their sites rather than carrying around a different device per bank. Thank you again Tesco for relieving me of the burden of having to remember another set of logins.

Yours, etc
Craig Cockburn IT Consultant and customer.

Facebook link

Doctors appointments

My local doctor requires us to do things online or in person. You can no longer order a prescription over the phone as it is too labour intensive. It's also great that I can get a copy of the requests in my mail to track when things were ordered. I really like being able to do things online.

However the patient appointments system both in Scotland and my former doctors in London is prehistoric by comparison. I can't understand why in 2013 the only way to get a same day appointment is to jam the phone on redail at 8am until you give up or join the queue with everyone else trying to get through at the same time. If you try calling an hour later, all the appointments are gone for the day and the book ahead appointments for tomorrow are also gone too. You could try calling at 8am the next day and join the phone frenzy to see if you can get a same day appointment that has just been released and try your luck at the appointment lottery.

Alternatively we can come up with something better. At 8am I am usually travelling to work on the train and it isn't feasible to play telephone roulette. If I'm not travelling to work I am also getting three  children to school on time and don't have a spare personal assistant who can keep my place in the phone queue while I am driving the car or sitting on a train or anything else which people get up to on a busy school morning. Having 15 minutes spare to hang around pressing redial indefinitely and then wait in a queue is hardly an effective use of anyone's time on a busy school day or work morning.

Since the doctor is so keen on getting me to use the internet to order repeat prescriptions maybe they could organise an online booking system where people can book slots at their leisure rather than playing telephone roulette at 8am in the morning. A few appointment slots could be reserved for online and some set aside for phone bookings too. The telephone roulette is not only inconvenient but it puts at an advantage people with a landline with an auto redial feature. Elderly people might not have such a rapid redial finger and so without auto redial they are put at a disadvantage.

Surely we can do better than this?

Gaelic events in Edinburgh - October/November 2013

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Gaelic events in Edinburgh - October/November
Date:	Wed, 9 Oct 2013 13:15:44 +0100
From:	John Macleod <john@andarach.com>
To:	<john@andarach.com>

A' chairdean,

Tachartasan Gaidhlig sa bhaile thairis air an Damhair/Samhain.  Leigibh fios thugam ma tha fiosrachadh a dhith air an liosta.

Latest list of events.  Please let me know of any adjustments required.

Moran taing, 

Iain

Wednesday 09.10.13 – 2.30pm          Gaidhlig sa Choille/Gaelic in the Forest – Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place. Informal Gaelic language workshop for complete beginners. (Cont: bile@gatunbolly.com )

Wednesday 09.10.13 – 7.15pm          Coisir Dhun Eideann weekly rehearsal – St Christopher's Church, Craigentinny Road. (Cont. 0777 855 1294)

Wednesday 09.10.13 – 7.30pm          Highland Lecture, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place.  “Gaelic Education in Edinburgh” by Anne Macphail & Donald Macdonald (Cont: 334 7005). 

Thursday 10.10.13 – 7.15pm             Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Gillis Centre, Strathearn Road. (Cont: 07906 318561)

Friday 11.10.13 – 7.00pm                  Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Room 3, Tollcross Comm Centre (2hrs). With Déirdre Ní Mhathúna. (Cont: 221 5800)

Friday 11.10.13 – 8.00pm                  Bothan Dhùn Èideann, Canon’s Gait, 232 Canongate, Edinburgh. with Kathleen Macinnes & Laoise Kelly. Finger Buffet. (£5/£3). (Contact: bothanduneideann@googlemail.com or 552 5998)

Saturday 12.10.13 – 12.45pm            Féis Dhùn Èideann Trad music/Gaelic Song/Step Dance Classes – Tollcross Comm Centre. (Cont: Gillian MacDonald 07514 386925 or feisdhuneideann@feisean.org)

Saturday 12.10.13 – 3.30pm              Cànan is Cèic (Gaelic Conversation Session) – Venue: Two Thin Laddies, 103 High Riggs. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk).

Sunday 13.10.13 – 12.30pm               Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev. Donald John Morrison. (Cont: 225 1900)

Monday 14.10.13 – 9.30am               Yaketi-yak Gaelic conversation session, Mint Café, The Filmhouse, Lothian Rd. (1hr) (Cont: 07826 555134 or mail@yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk

Monday 14.10.13 – 11.00am             Gaelic Coffee Morning – Café Nero, Frasers, West End. Conversational opportunity for Gaelic speakers of all ages & abilities. (Cont: 0131 228 5035)

Tuesday 15.10.13 – 7.30pm               Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Joe Wright. (Cont: 334 7005)

Wednesday 16.10.13 – 2.30pm          Gaidhlig sa Choille/Gaelic in the Forest – Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place. Informal Gaelic language workshop for complete beginners. (Cont: bile@gatunbolly.com )

Wednesday 16.10.13 – 7.15pm          Coisir Dhun Eideann weekly rehearsal – St Christopher's Church, Craigentinny Road. (Cont. 0777 855 1294)

Friday 18.10.13 – 7.00pm                  Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Room 3, Tollcross Comm Centre (2hrs). With Déirdre Ní Mhathúna. (Cont: 221 5800)

Saturday 19.10.13 – 12.45pm            Féis Dhùn Èideann Trad music/Gaelic Song/Step Dance Classes – Tollcross Comm Centre. (Cont: Gillian MacDonald 07514 386925 or feisdhuneideann@feisean.org)

Saturday 19.10.13 – 3.30pm              Cànan is Cèic (Gaelic Conversation Session) – Venue: Two Thin Laddies, 103 High Riggs. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk).

Sunday 20.10.13 – 12.30pm               Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mark Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900)

Monday 21.10.13 – 9.30am               Yaketi-yak Gaelic conversation session, Mint Café, The Filmhouse, Lothian Rd. (1hr) (Cont: 07826 555134 or mail@yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk

Monday 21.10.13 – 11.00am             Gaelic Coffee Morning – Café Nero, Frasers, West End. Conversational opportunity for Gaelic speakers of all ages & abilities. (Cont: 0131 228 5035)

Tuesday 22.10.13 – 7.30pm               Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Joe Wright. (Cont: 334 7005)

Wednesday 23.10.13 – 2.30pm          Gaidhlig sa Choille/Gaelic in the Forest – Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place. Informal Gaelic language workshop for complete beginners. (Cont: bile@gatunbolly.com )

Wednesday 23.10.13 – 7.15pm          Coisir Dhun Eideann weekly rehearsal – St Christopher's Church, Craigentinny Road. (Cont. 0777 855 1294)

Friday 25.10.13 – 7.00pm                  Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Room 3, Tollcross Comm Centre (2hrs). With Déirdre Ní Mhathúna. (Cont: 221 5800)

Saturday 26.10.13 – 12.45pm            Féis Dhùn Èideann Trad music/Gaelic Song/Step Dance Classes – Tollcross Comm Centre. (Cont: Gillian MacDonald 07514 386925 or feisdhuneideann@feisean.org)

Saturday 26.10.13 – 3.30pm              Cànan is Cèic (Gaelic Conversation Session) – Venue: Two Thin Laddies, 103 High Riggs. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk).

Sunday 27.10.13 – 12.30pm               Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Alasdair Macleod.  (Cont: 225 1900)

Monday 28.10.13 – 9.30am               Yaketi-yak Gaelic conversation session, Mint Café, The Filmhouse, Lothian Rd. (1hr) (Cont: 07826 555134 or mail@yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk

Monday 28.10.13 – 11.00am             Gaelic Coffee Morning – Café Nero, Frasers, West End. Conversational opportunity for Gaelic speakers of all ages & abilities. (Cont: 0131 228 5035)

Tuesday 29.10.13 – 7.30pm               Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Joe Wright. (Cont: 334 7005)

Wednesday 30.10.13 – 2.30pm          Gaidhlig sa Choille/Gaelic in the Forest – Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place. Informal Gaelic language workshop for complete beginners. (Cont: bile@gatunbolly.com )

Wednesday 30.10.13 – 7.15pm          Coisir Dhun Eideann weekly rehearsal – St Christopher's Church, Craigentinny Road. (Cont. 0777 855 1294)

Thursday 31.10.13 – 7.15pm             Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Informal Choir Practice/Social Evening/Bring a Friend, Morningside United Church.  (Cont: 07906 318561)

Friday 01.11.13 – 7.00pm                  Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Room 3, Tollcross Comm Centre (2hrs). With Déirdre Ní Mhathúna. (Cont: 221 5800)

Saturday 02.11.13 – 12.45pm            Féis Dhùn Èideann Trad music/Gaelic Song/Step Dance Classes – Tollcross Comm Centre. (Cont: Gillian MacDonald 07514 386925 or feisdhuneideann@feisean.org)

Saturday 02.11.13 – 3.30pm              Cànan is Cèic (Gaelic Conversation Session) – Venue: Two Thin Laddies, 103 High Riggs. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk).

Saturday 02.11.12 – 7.30pm              Comunn Tir nam Beann Ceilidh, Augustine United Church, 41-43 George IV Bridge. Artistes to be confirmed. (Cont: 467 5236)

Sunday 03.11.13 – 12.30pm               Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900)

Monday 04.11.13 – 9.30am               Yaketi-yak Gaelic conversation session, Mint Café, The Filmhouse, Lothian Rd. (1hr) (Cont: 07826 555134 or mail@yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk

Monday 04.11.13 – 11.00am             Gaelic Coffee Morning – Café Nero, Frasers, West End. Conversational opportunity for Gaelic speakers of all ages & abilities. (Cont: 0131 228 5035)

Tuesday 05.11.13 – 7.30pm               Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Joe Wright. (Cont: 334 7005)

Wednesday 06.11.13 – 2.30pm          Gaidhlig sa Choille/Gaelic in the Forest – Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place. Informal Gaelic language workshop for complete beginners. (Cont: bile@gatunbolly.com )

Wednesday 06.11.13 – 7.15pm          Coisir Dhun Eideann weekly rehearsal – St Christopher's Church, Craigentinny Road. (Cont. 0777 855 1294)

Thursday 07.11.13 – 7.15pm             Lothian Gaelic Choir AGM – Morningside United Church.  (Cont: 07906 318561)

Friday 08.11.13 – 7.00pm                  Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Room 3, Tollcross Comm Centre (2hrs). With Déirdre Ní Mhathúna. (Cont: 221 5800)

Saturday 09.11.13 – 12.45pm            Féis Dhùn Èideann Trad music/Gaelic Song/Step Dance Classes – Tollcross Comm Centre. (Cont: Gillian MacDonald 07514 386925 or feisdhuneideann@feisean.org)

Saturday 09.11.13 – 3.30pm              Cànan is Cèic (Gaelic Conversation Session) – Venue: Two Thin Laddies, 103 High Riggs. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk).

Edinburgh transport problem and solutions

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Craig Cockburn" <craig@siliconglen.com>
Date: 3 Oct 2013 08:02
Subject: letter for publication
To: <lettersen@scotsman.com>
Cc:

Dear Editor

I live in West Lothian and work in Edinburgh. The ease with which I drove into Edinburgh on Monday was remarkable. Presumably this was due to the Glasgow holiday. The same applied a few weeks ago when it was an Edinburgh holiday. The Edinburgh roads can cope very well when the amount of traffic is reduced coming into the city but on other days the M8, A8 and A90 are regularly choked solid at rush hour in both directions and any roadworks, breakdowns or accidents only makes it worse. The trams are hailed as a solution, but will not fix this mess. Using the Ingleston park and ride and a stop everywhere tram is ideal for people working at Edinburgh Park but is slow for anyone working in the town centre. Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow all have non stop routes into the centre of London because people actually want to get into the city quickly and the same is true for Edinburgh. The slower public transport is, the more attractive the car becomes.  There is inadequate parking at Dalmeny, Edinburgh Park and Linlithgow stations with the latter being full by 8am and causing a problem for anyone who can't leave the house until their children have left for school. The lack of a park and ride at Edinburgh Park is a huge missed opportunity. We need a comprehensive look at the ongoing congestion in the West of Edinburgh and a realisation that the existing road infrastructure is insufficient for the forecast traffic growth and that park and rides at Ingleston and Riccarton connected to stop everywhere buses or trams are not the solution for people wanting to get in and out of the city quickly.

The simple solution which combines the flexibility of the car with fast direct public transport is to make more use of the train lines coming into the city from the west and to have a park and ride that connects directly to the existing train service.

A park and ride to the west of the bypass and between the A8 and M8, with access to both and connected to the Linlithgow line and Bathgate train lines would seem to be the obvious and not hugely expensive answer to the increasing traffic volume. This would work with the tram to give different options for getting into the city and would provide a fast and convenient service making use of existing road and rail infrastructure and provide the capacity to meet Edinburgh's growing transport demands. To fail to do so will result in a future of even more gridlock and the loss of Edinburgh as an attractive place to do business. Having lived in London for many years I am used to not using the car and would far prefer to use public transport. But for those of us not within walking distance of a train station, access to public transport has to be convenient for it to be attractive.


Craig Cockburn
4-5 Mitchell Street, Edinburgh, EH6 7BD

Published by the Edinburgh Evening News

--
Craig Cockburn ("coburn"). Director, Siliconglen.com Ltd
Web project and programme manager. M.Sc., BCS Chartered Fellow
http://www.CraigCockburn.com