HiBIS requires all HiBIS providers to supply an in set format details about all our HiBIS accounts, which allows you to do direct comparison between providers.

Following is The HiBIS table which follows the guidelines as prepared by the ACA.
Standard comparative information to be published for Customers.

The requirements for comparative information to be provided by HiBIS Providers are set out below in table 2. These requirements are based on the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Guidelines prepared by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA), supplemented by additional requirements for HiBIS Providers.

Items 2 and 8 from the ACA’s Guidelines have been omitted as being inappropriate in a higher bandwidth environment or because they are covered by existing HiBIS requirements.


Table 2: Comparative data requirements for HiBIS Providers
ACA ISP Guidelines
Data requirement # Purpose
Pricing plans 1.

The HiBIS Provider must provide the following:

(a) The price of each service offered is to be set out in a manner that makes clear all components of charging for the service. It should include up-front and recurrent prices, the relationship between the price and the quantity of service received (usually time online, the amount of data downloaded or the sum of data uploaded i.e. data sent to the Internet, and data downloaded).

Answer:

TSN offers 5 basic plans to all HiBIS clients
Threshold Midi 256 $34.95 including 500 megs of data. Additional data at 15 Cents capped at $25.00
Midi 256 $39.95 including 5 Gigs of data. Additional data at 15 Cents capped at $25.00
HiBIS 256/64 $49.95 with unlimited download
HiBIS 512/128 $69.95 with unlimited downloads
HiBIS 1500/256 $99.95 with unlimited downloads

(b) Any limits on upload and/or download of data associated with the service and the costs of exceeding these limits.

Answer:

Threshold Midi 256 $34.95 including 500 megs of data. Additional data at 15 Cents capped at $25.00
Midi 256 $39.95 including 5 Gigs of data. Additional data at 15 Cents capped at $25.00

TSN ensures very fast throughput for the average user with our fairness policy.

Every night a list of total downloads for each user based on the previous 30 days is taken.
• The top 15% of down-loaders will be classed as Red users
• The next 15% of down-loaders will be classed as Amber users
• The remainder will be called Green users
If the network hits peak capacity the Red users will be shaped to 64Kb.

If capacity is still high the Amber users will then be shaped to half their speed.
Once the network load reduces shaping will be removed. The first to be removed will be amber users then finally Red users.

Users will be able to view both their logs and to-days classification in the “manage account” area on the TSN homepage www.tsninternet.com.au

NO USER WILL EVER BE CLASSED AS A RED OR AMBER USER IF THEY HAVE USED LESS THAN 5 GIGS OF DATA


(c) Any limits on access applying to individual sessions, such as data or time limits.

Answer:
Being an ADSL account there is no limits to session times.

(d) The period of any contract between the HiBIS Provider and a Customer.

Answer:
The contract period for any HiBIS client is 36 months.

(e) The technology used to connect the Customer to the HiBIS Provider.

Answer:
This service is ADSL or ADSL2

(f) Where Internet service is bundled together with other products or services, this should be clearly stated and all elements of the bundled service should be listed.

Answer:
There is no bundling on these accounts.

Cancellation fees 2. This enables the Customer to be aware of any fees applicable in the event that the Customer chooses to terminate the service before the end of the contract period.

Answer:
TSN does not have punitive cancellation clauses we only expect back some of the costs we have built into the monthly service fees spread over a 36 month period.

Should you wish to terminate before the 36 months has expired the following provisions will apply.
• Termination prior to activation $129.00 plus the return of modem if already despatched.
• Within 6 months of activation $99.00 plus the return of modem.
• Within 12 months of activation $69.00 plus return of modem
• Within 18 months of activation $49.00 plus return of modem.

Service restrictions 3. The HiBIS Provider must provide a summary of restrictions affecting the availability of a service to Customers and, if necessary, a link or reference to a site where more detailed information about restrictions can be found.

Answer:
The HiBIS accounts listed in section 1 are only available where TSN has its own infrastructure. The available locations may be viewed at www.tsninternet.com.au

Billing 4.

Information must be provided by HiBIS Providers on the following:
(a) billing frequency;

Answer:
Billing is monthly on the anniversary of activation. Billing may be delayed at any time for a variety of reasons. TSN will endeavour to always bill on-time; however problems do occur at times. It is customer’s responsibility to ensure sufficient funds are always available.

(b) method of delivery of bills;

Answer:
Billing is via email to the email address registered as the account contact.

(c) payment options;

Answer:
Payment is via Credit Card or Direct Debit.

(d) a brief description of the extent to which charges are itemised on the bill; and

Answer:
All charges are fully itemised.

(e) whether particular components of the bill are calculated in advance or in arrears.

Answer:
TSN charges monthly in advance for all ADSL accounts

Additional services 5.

The HiBIS Provider must provide a list of services (other than Internet access) offered to the Customer i.e. web hosting, web design, programming, domain name registration, international access services or the ability for customers to set their own billing limits.

Answer:
TSN offers, Phone services, Voip services, Domain registration, Hosting services, Web design, Offshore hosting, Programming

Disability statement 6.

A statement about any arrangements made by the HiBIS Provider to make access easier for users with disabilities.

Answer:
TSN uses large text and button sizes on our web page. The helpdesk is also able to show clients how to adjust their computer to increase Icon and text size

Help and Installation 7.

HiBIS Providers should list:
(a) The client operating systems that HiBIS Provider will assist the Customer with;

Answer:
TSN assists with windows 98 to XP for PC’s.

(b) contact points for Customers to report service faults;

Answer:
Contact 13 14 86 from anywhere in Australia.

(c) contact points for Customer technical and other help;

Answer:
Contact 13 14 86 from anywhere in Australia. Choose the appropriate option.

(d) the times that Customer technical help is available;

Answer:
Technical help is available 24/7. Although senior help for the more difficult cases is only available 9 to 5 excluding public holidays.

(e) charging arrangements for technical help;

Answer:
The helpdesk is free of charge.

(f) information about the types of assistance available with the initial service activation and the charging arrangements for this assistance;

Answer:
TSN will either direct you to a complete instruction page online or if TSN supplied the equipment we will take you through the set-up process if difficulties with getting online occur (the equipment is despatched fully configured). TSN’s responsibility only includes getting the router online, your network along with its functioning is your responsibility.

(g) if a set-up disk is used as part of the installation process, a description of the impact of the effects of the disk on the user’s system; and

Answer:
No set-up disk is required

(h) the location of any information available from the HiBIS Provider which might assist Customers to set up their own equipment in a way which is likely to lead to the most efficient performance.

Answer:
The TSN HELPDESK located on the TSN homepage www.tsninternet.com.au has many solutions to problems

Communication 8.

HiBIS Providers should identify the following:
(a) contact numbers for administrative, account and billing inquiries;

Answer:
All sections may be reached by calling 13 14 86 and choosing the appropriate option.

(b) the period of notice to be given by the HiBIS Provider to the Customer in the event that the HiBIS Provider suspends or terminates the customer’s service OR provide information about how this information may be accessed online;

Answer:
All TSN accounts are monthly in advance where the credit card or the direct debit fails the account is immediately suspended. No notification is given.
Where suspension is for breaking one of TSN’s Terms and conditions other than account payment, TSN will attempt to contact the customer via phone. If TSN deems the reason for suspension is of a serious nature TSN may opt to suspend the account immediately regardless of whether TSN was able to contact the client or not. TSN will then rely solely on the client contacting the TSN helpdesk for the reason behind the suspension.

(c) the period of notice to be given by the Customer to the HiBIS Provider in the event that the Customer wishes to terminate the service or provide information about how this information may be accessed online;

Answer:
Termination must be by either Letter or Fax. TSN requires a minimum of 10 days notice before your billing date. (billing date is the anniversary of activation). Cancellations received within ten days of your billing date will be carried over to the following month.

The information required is
• Your Internet account Username
• Your password
• The date you wish TSN to terminate your service.
• The account owners signature

Mail to:
TSN Internet.com.au
PO Box 5293, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
or
Fax to: 1300 760 361

Note: TSN may cancel your line on a set date thus enabling you to change suppliers even though billing may continue as per paragraph 1 of this section.

(d) a description of what the Customer needs to do in order to terminate the service;

Answer:
As outline above:

(e) any arrangements about the timing of reminder notices when pre-paid contracts are about to expire;

Answer:
TSN does not have pre-paid contracts with our ADSL accounts:

(f) the period of notice to be given for informing Customers about any changes in prices, terms and conditions;

Answer:
30 days notice is required by TSN

(g) the methods of informing Customers about any changes in prices, terms and conditions1;

Answer:
TSN advises all customers of any changes by email. It is vital for all clients to ensure that their contact details are up to date. This can be done in manage accounts on the TSN homepage.

(h) where the contract involves limits on data, the HiBIS Provider should state if, when and how warnings are sent to Customers when quantities of data are approaching contractual limits or provide information about how this information may be accessed online;

Answer:
Not applicable.

(i) where any operating manuals, guidebooks or other information supplied by the HiBIS Provider may be found;

Answer:
The TSN helpdesk www.tsn.cc then helpdesk button will answer most questions.

(j) any internal service standards that exist for answering and responding to Customer inquiries;

Answer:
All enquiries are forwarded to our request tracker. This allows TSN to follow the progress of all enquiries, which in turn allows us to monitor the quality of service offered to our customers.

(k) the period of notice to be given for informing Customers about planned outages;

Answer:
We attempt to give a minimum of 2 weeks notice for planned outages however minimal duration outages could occur without notice between 2 AM and 5 AM NSW time.

(l) the methods used to inform Customers about planned outages;

Answer:
Email to the registered accounts contact email address.

(m) the methods used to inform Customers about unplanned outages;

Answer:
Via our newsletters.

(n) a reference to the location of internal policies and processes about complaint handling and dispute resolution; and

Answer:
See TSN Terms and Conditions which can be accessed from the prices pages on the TSN homepage www.tsn.cc

(o) a reference to the location of internal policies and processes about privacy.

Answer:
See TSN Terms and Conditions which can be accessed from the prices pages on the TSN homepage www.tsn.cc

Security of Service 9.

HiBIS Providers should provide information about:
(a) whether they back-up the data they hold. If so, HiBIS Providers should explain the back-up services provided, in terms of the type of data backed up, the frequency of backups, retention periods and the cost and procedure for retrieval of information;

Answer:
TSN does not attempt to back up client services. It is recommended that clients download email and keep copies of any webpages they might produce.

(b) sources of advice offered to Customers about improving security services; and

Answer:
See TSN Terms and Conditions which can be accessed from the prices pages on the TSN homepage www.tsn.cc

(c) indicate whether and how the Customer is able to control use of the account by other parties.

Answer:
Customers can control use by other parties by keeping control of the password

Other Information 10.

The HiBIS Provider may identify:
(a) its affiliations with industry organisations; and

Answer:
TSN is a member of the TIO.

(b) its compliance with voluntary industry self-regulatory arrangements and industry standards.

Answer:
TSN endeavours to always meet all voluntary industry standards

Morel information on the ACA Guidelines can be found at www.aca.gov.au

Additional HiBIS requirements

    Complaint handling arrangements 11. A brief description of the HiBIS Provider’s arrangements for dealing with complaints, and whether they are signatories to the Australian Communications Industry Forum’s (ACIF) Complaint Handling code of practice (C547:2004) is required.
TSN meets the requirements of the ACIF See the HiBIS Terms and Conditions. Located on the HiBIS prices page. Follow the links from the TSN homepage www.tsn.cc

TSN Internet.com.au • Phone: 13 14 86
PO Box 5293, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 • Fax: 1300 760 361
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