OBB service was good for the first few months. Then a complete failure. Broadband service was returned but not talk (VoIP service). Many calls to call centre - still no success. Last call I asked for escalation to a supervisor. Not unless I answer numerous questions which I've answered many times before. Change of tack . Extract of dialogue: how many calls have I made re this failure. Reply 'oh possibly seven or eight'. And do you call this good service? 'Well we are trying'. Promise of escalation and call from CSG. Several more weeks have passed and still no follow-up. Next step - ring and cancel service (withold direct debit) even though I've not completed 18 month agreement.

chip, London,

My son has been trying to connect to OBB since Nov 2006. We are still unconnected despite numerous phone calls and continually fobbed off. I have been on Orange dial up all this time and now have been offered the chance to switch. I wrote to them 9 days ago, explaining all the probs we'd had trying to connect to OBB and asked for their comments. To date I'm still waiting to hear fom them as so is my son waiting to be connected to OBB since Nov 2006!!!

D Stanford, STAFFORD, Stafford UK

OBB 'technical' support is in India. Their dial up tech support office in Rotherham is the only UK based tech office open to us broadband users, they are useful and able. India is cheaper and lacks training and knowledge and ability. My prolonged lack of broadband (25 days) was considerably lengthened by my following India's advices and when it came to the 3rd time of repeating it to me, after 21 days, I lost my cool. I was put thru to Rotherham and the matter sorted within a few days and I was credited £65 (I spent £77). Orange stating they are doing that for the customer is laughable - the business is there to make a profit. I

I am now looking elsewhere - altho my BT engineer friend says, day in day out, they are constantly sorting out problems that overseas call centres create by not understanding the issue from the start

There are language and cultural differences enough to create havoc. Tho' some India help has been magnificent, by and large it has not.

claire cadoux, york, England

Orange said: “We have decided to close the Any Time Dial-up service at the end of this year. This is because we believe broadband provides our customers with more benefits and greater value for money.”

Isn't this an example of the supreme arrogance shown by many companies today? We decide what you like and make you take it.

Roger Gradeless, Stafford, Staffordshire