THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN READING a recent article written by Dennie Quill, which criticised the role of the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) over a lack of action regarding problems with Cable and Wireless Jamaica's (CWJ) ADSL service, I realised that obtaining regular Internet access in Jamaica is very expensive.
Even if one accepts the rate of US$34.95 per month for 'unlimited' dial-up access (the rate charged by CWJ), when one considers that customers are billed J$36 per hour for intra-parish calls, it becomes abundantly evident that accessing the service is a very pricey venture.
I believe that if the major telecommunications provider and other Internet service providers were serious about providing this important service, they would institute a system where calls made to Internet access numbers are not billed in the same manner as other intra-parish calls. The current system undermines the whole idea of 'unlimited' Internet access and we as consumers, living in a modern era, deserve better.
DIAL-UP PLANS
Dial-up plans in North America are exceedingly attractive simply because customers are generally not billed in the same manner that we are for local calls. Local calls are covered under a set monthly fee. Cable and Wireless has received excessive complaints and criticism for all of its services over the years. It is time that the company shows customers they can be innovative and customer-friendly by changing this antiquated and expensive system of Internet access.
I am, etc.,
JULIAN RHONE
jorhone@hotmail.com
Kingston
