Skip to main content
Find a broadband deal
Test my broadband
Fix my broadband

Netservices terminates Biscit/v.21 Services

Posted on

NetServices plc, a broadband service provider which offers a range of services to resellers has today announced it is terminating its agreement with Biscit CSP Ltd (formerly v21.co.uk Ltd)
following extensive discussions which have failed to reach an agreement. It is suggested that around 9,500 end users will be affected by this, who are being given the option of continuing service
with an alternative Netservices reseller EzeeDSL if they do not wish to experience any loss of service.

“The decision to terminate our contract with V Two One (Biscit CSP) was taken extremely reluctantly, as we understand the impact that this will have for a large number
of end users. We have only taken this action once we were satisfied that we had put in place a satisfactory alternative to enable users to continue to receive a broadband service. We
believe we have acted in a way that is to the mutual benefit of V Two One (Biscit CSP) users and stakeholders in NetServices.”

Commenting Mark Vickers (CEO), Netservices plc

Netservices is encouraging those affected to visit www.ezeedsl.co.uk for information. Any users who
have not confirmed migration onto EzeeDSL will according to Netservices have cease orders placed on 24 November following which it can typically take up to ten working days for the requests to go
through. Netservices state they cannot issue MAC codes for end users. A full statement can be found here.

EzeeDSL, operated by 186k, seems to be the reseller of choice for Netservices to which it sends customers of ISPs it terminates its relationship with. The policy of not issuing MAC codes is not
exactly in the interests of consumer choice and this is something that needs to be resolved on a wider regulatory level.

Update 15/11/06 15:55: Biscit has announced that it will begin legal proceedings against NetServices plc seeking substantial seven-figure damages following
NetServices’ decision to move V21’s customers to another service provider. Biscit claims that the commercial dispute with NetServices begun before their acquisition of V21 last month and its
customer base represents about 20% of NetServices’ business.

“Post acquisition, NetServices presented an invoice to V21 for “burst bandwidth charges” for services it claims it provided to V21’s customers from as far back as
December 2005. V21 rejected this invoice and launched a full audit into every invoice presented by NetServices to V21 since commercial relations were established in December 2005. The
audit began last week.

In October, NetServices also refused to provide technical support to V21 customers and MAC codes allowing V21 customers to migrate to Biscit’s secure and robust
servers or any other provider.”

Biscit/v21 Statement

Biscit recommends V21 customers contact NetServices to ask for MAC codes, something NetServices have stated previously they will not provide. Biscit then suggest customers visit the www.v21.co.uk/migration website to be reconnected and receive a month’s broadband connection in
compensation with 24-96 hours of downtime once their service has been migrated to the Biscit platform. More information is available at www.v21.co.uk

Update 16/11/06 02:55: NetServices has issued a second statement to clarify issues in what it labels an inaccurate statement issued by V21/Biscit.

“Having terminated our services to V21 today, we have attempted to help end-user customers by enabling them to contact an alternative service provider which is EZEE DSL
should they wish to do so.  Contrary to V21’s assertion, we have not novated any of V21’s customers, either directly or with a third party provider although, contractually, we
were entitled to do this.

Our decision to terminate the agreement with V21 was taken due to V21’s repeated failure to pay charges due under the contract.  We are proceeding to recover the
sums due from V21/Biscit CSP through legal channels and we regret the need to circulate this message in order to correct the inaccurate and misleading announcement made earlier by
V21. 

NetServices Statement

NetServices further stress that as per their MAC Code Policy published on their website, they are unable to issue MAC codes to customers and as such contacting them is going to achieve nothing.

Leave a reply

Your name will be published with your comment. You do not need to include your full name when commenting. Your e-mail address will not be published.

Most viewed
Broadband guides
Guides illustration
Broadband USO – your right to a 10 Mbps connection
How broadband works (for beginners)
Broadband USO – your right to a 10 Mbps connection
How to troubleshoot broadband interference sources
More broadband guides

Broadband Deals

Check out the latest deals from the largest broadband providers in the UK.

See more deals →

Altnets

Broadband altnets offer a generally more local option for your broadband with service often cheaper and faster than national providers.

See more altnets →

The following popular providers offer some broadband deals that should be reviewed before you choose to sign up

See more ISP Deals →

Guides

Check out our popular broadband guides which can help you solve a broadband problem or stay safe online.

See more guides →

Tools

We have a range of broadband tools that can help you diagnose broadband problems or issues with your speed and Wi-Fi.

See more tools →