Unlimited Internet.
On January 12th, 2013, my internet connection went down—after having enjoyed four months of very good, uninterrupted service.
The bill was paid, so that wasn’t the problem, hmnn. I did the typical stuff, rebooted the ADSL modem, the wifi router and my computer but still had no joy. Scratched head.
Out on the balcony I discovered the problem. My phone line had been cut. Someone had gone down the street cutting all the wires criss-crossing it and I was living on the second floor (40ft).
In true Khmer fashion, no utility companies were notified in advance, cable tv, phone companies etc. While the cable was restored in a respectable amount of time, the internet connection was a different story. Below is an account of my attempt to get it fixed.
Interior of a stifling hot, brightly lit Metfone office.
PC: Hello, someone has cut the internet line to my flat, when can you have someone reconnect it?
Metfone Rep: Yes, so King father funeral can go.
(The revered King Norodom Sihanouk)
PC: Funeral not for another two weeks, when can you fix?
Metfone Rep: Sorry cannot.
PC: What? Cannot fix?
Metfone Rep: Maybe next month, 17th or 18th…
PC: What? that’s more than four weeks!
Metfone Rep: Yes, cannot until then.
PC: Well I not pay for no internet.
Metfone Rep: But you have unlimited internet.
PC: I have no internet!
Metfone Rep: Yes, you have unlimited internet.
PC: I have no internet!
Metfone Rep: No, you have unlimited internet.
PC: If I go restaurant and order food and no get, I no pay. Same same for internet.
Metfone Rep: But you have unlimited internet Sir.
PC: Not have internet!
Metfone Rep: No, you have unlimited.
PC: (Thinking) Oh sweet suffering mother of Jaysus.
Fade to black.
In the end the company made up for it by doubling my speed and discounting my future monthly bills to US$16.