(For the context of this post, see this and previous posts.)

I didn’t mention it in the previous posts but this afternoon, while I was at home alone, the landline phone (which we normally never use and only have for our broadband connection) rang briefly. Intrigued, I went to look and, on trying it, found that the phone could neither make or receive calls. This suggested to me that someone somewhere was working on our phone line.

When we returned from our pizza supper, I tried the phone again and found it working perfectly. I then checked the router but it was still showing a red light and my iPhone was still reporting “No Internet Connection”.

We had just settled down for the evening when my mobile rang. It was someone at Zen. He told me that (as I had guessed) an engineer had performed the necessary work at the exchange and that our Internet connection should now be working. I pointed out that the router was showing a red light but I fired up the PC to try the connection. I was not surprised when it didn’t work.

Now followed a session of going through the router’s settings and checking what the lights were doing at various points. I had done this so often on Tuesday and had all the usernames and passwords written down on my notebook that the work proceeded easily and quickly. The first attempt ended in failure but a second attempt, plus pressing a particular button in the router at the right moment followed and… bingo! We have lift-off!

Yes, our Internet connection is working again. This evening, we were able to “stream” a video using the connection and without resorting to hotspotting from our mobiles. This post also comes to you via that Internet connection.

As you might have read in my previous posts, I was not expecting the problem to be solved so soon but I am happy to be proved wrong.

For the context of this post, see the previous four posts.)

Not having heard a peep from Zen following the departure of the Openreach engineer, yesterday, I phoned them this morning. When calling Zen, as with most companies, you have first to listen to the dratted menu and press the number for the service you require. Not hearing anything that seemed to match my needs, I asked for technical support.

The technical support lady was, as Zen operatives generally are, friendly, polite and ready to help. I outlined the problem and said I wanted to speak to someone with whom I could have a serious conversation about what was being done about it. The support person said she would try to contact the Faults Manager if I would kindly consent to being put on hold for a moment. Naturally, I agreed.

After a while, the support person returned to tell me that the Faults Manager would call me later in the day. They had first to contact Openreach to find times when an engineer would be available. Then they would contact me to make a definite appointment. This engineer, apparently, has be one who is specially trained in such matters.

I suspect that said engineer will arrive at the earliest next Monday, meaning that we will have at least three more days without connectivity. That makes the arrival this morning of the usual monthly rental invoice seem rather ironic. I think that when connectivity is finally restored, Zen should find some way to compensate us for the loss of service and its consequences.

Later…

The Faults Manager called me just after 11 am. He confirmed that a specialist engineer was needed but that a home visit would not be necessary. The job could be done at the “cabinet” (the green roadside control box). There’s a possibility that this could happen tomorrow or not until Tuesday. He will phone me later today to let me know exactly when it will be done.

In reponse to my question about compensation, I was told that this would be given at the rate of £8 for day without service, added as a credit on our landline phone bill.

I must say that I am sceptical that the problem will be resolved as easily as that. Equally, I will believe the story about compensation if and when I see the credit on our bill. Let’s hope my scepticism proves to be undfounded in both cases.

Either way, I will Let you know!