I saw yesterday that you guys had won another "Which" award - well done, but doesnt it get boring after a while doing all this winning?

Tried to post yesterday but the forum didnt want to know so here's another try

Its NOT the awards that matter its maintaining the high standards that win you those awards that matter. Its shows Zens underlying company philosophy is solid & consistent, i.e. they must be doing something right to consistently be awarded such gongs.

Keep up the good work Zen !!

Ivan

Well done Zen

I noticed that an ISP I migrated from, Newnet, has been swallowed up by a large business service provider, Timico so that makes Zen one of the few independents left in the UK ISP market as most of the others have been swallowed by larger telecom providers.

Zen provided more bandwidth allowance for the money so that is why I moved and of course there's the excellent service.

Here's hoping that Mr. Tang does not plan on selling up anytime soon.

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Attempting to answer the unanswered
Interest: PCs, servers and networks

> Here's hoping that Mr. Tang does not plan on selling up anytime soon.

I've seen (and been a customer of while they were independents) soooooooooo many independent tech (and not so tech) firms sell out.

I can't say I blame the origanal onwer(s): hell I'd probably do the same. Who want's the hassle of running a business when you can have a shed load of cash and do what you want for the rest of your life...?

It's one of the really big problems with business. Big companies are, without exception (I can't think of one anyway), er, just in it for the money and at the end of the day (I hate that phrase) milch-cows is all customers are seen as.

Ironic that Timico's CTO and Founder is a friend of mine - through work.  I expect Newnet will be fine :-)

Richard Tang has always maintained to staff and our customers that he has no intentions of selling Zen and at other ISP's I have worked for I would likely have been a bit open minded if the owners of those ISP's said the same, however I have to say that after reporting into Richard as my line manager for the past 3+ years I have absolutely no doubt that he wouldn't sell Zen. 

He's totally commited to keeping Zen independent and when you consider the way this industry has gone in the past 10 years that's highly commendable.

The ISP industry needs independents - in fact I'd go as far as saying there has never been a time where independents where needed as much as they are in todays climate especially when you witness the way in which the government amongst others tend to only see the big Three or Four main players.

As Zen's Regulatory Manager there has never been a better time to support your independent ISP's.

God I sound like a politician.  I'm going to run for Prime Minister - then you'll get your FTTP's and The Sex Pistols GSTQ will be our National Anthem :-)

Regards

Gary

 

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"The Internet is a global collection of single points of failure"

Hi Gary,

YES! You do sound a wee bit politician like but we can forgive you for that, there's nothing wrong with a bit of passion. Just make sure you don't rack up the same expenses claims as the MP's or bankers & then charge them to Zen!! 

**Na!! Jimi Hendrix & Star Spangled banner any day over GSTQ 

Ivan

lol - I never claim expenses even when I can - I'm too honest for my own good in that respect.  No wonder the wife complains when I don't.  I think we should set up our own political party for Internet Users.  The WWFSAMU Party.

Gary

 

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"The Internet is a global collection of single points of failure"

There's claiming legit expenses then there's taking the ....

 

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Attempting to answer the unanswered
Interest: PCs, servers and networks

I agree that Zen offer high quality customer service, but my ongoing quibble with them is that the prices and packages offered could do with a revamp. 

If I am to pay £25 per month, I would like to receive more than 25gb download allowance.  Xilo an ISP with excellent customer reviews (http://www.ispreview.co.uk/review/top10.php) charge £18.99 for a similar package.

I would like to see 30gb download allowance for £25, and a new package of £18 for 15gb or thereabouts.

 I notice that the category for value in the Which report was the only one with less than 5 stars, so perhaps I'm not alone in my views? 

I think the cost to them of transit bandwidth is going to go up not down so I don't think its likely as even the tier 1 providers are having to invest to keep up with demand for bandwidth so are passing this cost on.

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Attempting to answer the unanswered
Interest: PCs, servers and networks

jayarte:

I agree that Zen offer high quality customer service, but my ongoing quibble with them is that the prices and packages offered could do with a revamp. 

If I am to pay £25 per month, I would like to receive more than 25gb download allowance.  Xilo an ISP with excellent customer reviews (http://www.ispreview.co.uk/review/top10.php) charge £18.99 for a similar package.

I would like to see 30gb download allowance for £25, and a new package of £18 for 15gb or thereabouts.

 I notice that the category for value in the Which report was the only one with less than 5 stars, so perhaps I'm not alone in my views? 

 

Have to say, I disagree with the reasons (no nothing about the other company). There is more to an ISP than just the amount of monthly allowance. I see Zen have now stated that it will increase, but I would more than happily pay Zen £25 per month for 25gb considering the phone support, uninterrupted service I've had, consistently good performance and the feeling that they really value their customers.

I was with Plusnet for ages, starting with them when they were relatively small. They were good then, now even though they still get good reviews I was not happy with them at all at the end, mainly due to inconsistent broadband performance and no way to get to the bottom of it.

I think if we only judge on £ per gb (and no FUP, etc) then we might miss the other benefits that a good company can provide.