Where is the service?

In 1996 I purchased a parabola and analog receiver for approximately US$600. A year later we were informed that this service was being upgraded to a digital service for a better and wider range of channels and that our older service would be phased out. so like thousands of others I paid another $800 for the new digital receiver and also paid the increased monthly fee.

Later we were told that the categories of services were being re-named (of course at an extra fee) and that we must sign a contract for one year and pay in advance. Then came the next bombshell, a small article in The Jakarta post (Dec 11, 1998) announcing that STAR TV would withdraw its programs but these would be replaced by new programs and that the other existing programs would not be affected. Wrong, on Sunday Dec. 13 all of the programs were switched off leaving us completely in the dark. It then took five days to issue a notice to state that we must again pay for our service to be reconnected via a new dish costing $80 and that the time period might be another two months. Why?

Are we to believe Indovision had no prior notice that STAR TV would switch off their uplink? Obviously this is Indovision's way out of a contract with STAR TV so that they can utilize their own satellite and throw the costs on to the customer, the exception being those with a "Gold" subscription.

I do find it appalling that they conduct their business in this manner and that we customers have to pay at every twist that Indovision desires. Where is the service?

KEITH POOLE

Jakarta