What's Wrong With Starcomms Internet?

Generaly, dial up connections are terrible when it comes to downloading. And if u're actualy trying to download a 48mb file, u better be ready for a nightmare. See if u can download & instal 'download accelerator' it speeds up downloading

I use starcomms too, though sometimes, its really bad, but i actually downloaded a 33MB file in 1hr 17 minutes today

Contact their customer care line Or Visit any of there Starpoint Offices Closest to You

Hi guys
I use starcommes too.
The download problem can be solved by downloading an accelerator.
On the second issue raised about visiting some sites, there is a way around it
This way, you can visit any site you like
As a way of confirming it, I used to visit the sites Buddie posted and I was able to.
You can send me a mail and I will send it to your box
I don't want to post it here and just leave it._{even on nairaland, someone is watching}

@buddie, i just opened the two(2) sites u said u could not open and am using starcomms Mobile data card in kano. so what could be the problem here with u not opening such sites since it is not starcomms problem??

@ Prof ade
Yes I got your mail and I've replied.

@ Prof Ade
Maybe the mail went into your bulk.
Try and check for it there and let me know if you got it

Hi folks,

Its true that Starcomms restricks some sites, I personally, I've experience such problem, but I have a very good relationship with Weblagos CEO and immediately it happens, I calls him and he resolves it. Starcomms blocked some IPs and if you are crucial to visit these websites which does not open, you can use anonymous server temporarily e.g 443proxy.com before it will be ok again. I hope this helps!

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@ Prof Ade
I have sent it again. Please check well.
I used my yahoo mail box this time.

i agree starcomms is disappointing i do believe that they restrict some sites for reasons known to them my advise
is if u have a choice forget starcomms

@ Prof Ade
Okay. You are welcomed
Glad I could be of help.
I believe you should be able to find a way around the problem you still have with the site.

I recently moved to Nigeria and subscribed to Starcomms about a month ago. I'm experiencing the same problems wisemikky mentnioned. However, I'm using their CDMA 1x EVDO service. It's supposed to be a broadband connection but it works more like a 56k dial up ,  when it's working. Most of the time when I try to connect with EVDO, I get a "no service" or "invalid username/password" message. When I connect with 1x I get a "dormant" message even when I'm active or downloading. It can take up to 2 hours to download a file that's 5mb and if the service goes dormant during a download sometimes I have to start over.

I tried to return the product the first week but they didn't want to discuss a refund and kept making excuses. First they were doing upgrades and said the problem would be cleared up in a day a two. Then their technicians told me to upgrade my ram even though my laptop (which is less than a year old) far exceeds the requirements recommended by the manufacturer of their air cards. Some technicians told me the signal in my area is weak, others tell me it's ok. Now the excuse is I'm using a new number and it's going to take time before it's working correctly. How much time? I don't know because they don't return emails or answer their phone and the technicians at their office are full of crap don't have answers. I would have never signed up if I knew they were in the middle of upgrades or if the signal in my area was weak. Personally, I don't think they should take on new customers if the service is not working as advertised because of upgrades. or whatever the problem is. At the very least, they should give us that information beforehand. In another week it will be a month since I subscribed and it doesn't seem like this problem will be resolved anytime soon. Do consumers have any rights here or do we just have to live with being ripped off? 

I heard a few negative things about Starcomms before I signed up but friends suggested that their services might be better here in Abuja and to give them a try. Also, Multilinks wasn't taking new customers at the time because of upgrades. Starcomms advertises the 3G EVDO as broadband but you're right, it isn't. It doesn't matter if I surf during business hours or at 2 am, the connection is always slow.

Before signing up I asked if the service was in my area and they told me it was. But the broadband signal usually is not available and I almost always have to switch to 1x which is dial up speed. When I'm lucky enough to get the broadband signal it disconnects me after a few minutes of use. Another problem: the starter kit (which cost N23,500) came with 250 hours. There is a clock that shows how long you have been connected but there isn't anything that shows the total amount of time spent on your account. You're responsible for adding this up. Every time you visit a technician (which is often), they are going to use your account and the time they spend will not be credited back to you. Seems unfair considering all the problems come from their end. With a real broadband connection, I wouldn't need to use more than 50 hours in a month. But with Starcomms I can spend hours without accomplishing a single task. I can't believe they have the nerve to charge people N15,000+ a month for this. People pay less than half of what Starcomms is charging, for faster and reliable connections, in other countries.  There are even places where you can browse for free. Here, it seems like businesses can say whatever it takes to get your money and they are not held accountable for it. And there's too many companies that cut corners to maximize their profits. Who is looking out for the consumer?

sorry fellows for the problems you encountered with most dialup in nigeria, i have been receiving countless calls from clients too. anyway using an internet accelerator helps sometimes ( www.onspeed.com, www.arteraturbo.com ) they are quite helpful, those companing for blocked sites can use it too because it changes the ip address to that of united kingdom. its diff from proxy sites cause after installation you browse normally without having to enter  desired web adress into the proxy site. but honestly i recommend broadband connection for those who want to download lots of files from the internet. i use direct on pc unwired broadband modem. ok. and the download speed is wonderful. (oyeniyioladayo@yahoo.com, 08023461887)

Thanks somze and dayooye. I have a feeling I will just end up selling it but I will look into getting an accelerator and at some of your other suggestions first.

@earthrealm,  do bourdex cover PH very well because i went to their office about a yr ago and them seems to cover selected part of the town and my area (Ada-george) was not covered by their network