iiNet challenges ex-AAPT 24x7 customers to leave

ISP iiNet's chief regulatory officer Steve Dalby has challenged any disgruntled users of the former AAPT Unlimited 24x7 plan to leave of their own accord rather than wait for a letter giving them a fee-free exit.

The Perth-based internet provider indicated before completing its $60m acquisition of AAPT's consumer division an intention to discontinue the unlimited plan.

The company claims to have sent at least two batches of letters to AAPT customers offering a penalty-free exit from the plan.

But iiNet's "phased" approach to the apparent discontinuation of the 24x7 plan had upset some users, who had not received a letter and complained they should also be allowed to exit the $100-a-month product.

Dalby posted to the Whirlpool broadband forums Wednesday that there was nothing stopping unhappy customers of the plan from changing.

"They made an agreement, they can break it. [But] when they do, there's a price to pay," he said.

"There's no force, there's no restraint. There are just consequences which were clear [in AAPT's contracts] and which [subscribers] accepted."

Dalby put continued calls for iiNet to expedite the closure of the 24x7 plan down to "bitter folks who made the wrong choice about the plan they were on, locking themselves into a plan with termination penalties.

"If they had signed up with another provider (like iiNet) that doesn't impose penalties, maybe all this angst could have been avoided," he said.

"I don't think [this is] about the waiting [for a termination letter]. It's about wanting something for nothing [a penalty-free exit from the plan]. And not getting it."

Several iiNet representatives indicated the ISP still intended to do away with the unlimited plan.

But iiNet chief Michael Malone posted a comment reserving his right to change his mind.

"I said that we were going to [cut the plans], one day, probably, maybe, unless I change my mind," he said.

"I could decide right now that no more [plan] change notices will be sent. Why not?"