Mobilink launches linkdotnet, joins Broadband party with spaghetti soup
Posted on February 11th, 2008 in Broadband, Business Tech |
I am sure everyone has seen the ‘ho-hum’ print ads by now introducing Mobilink’s DSL-broadband venture, Link dot net. Basically, this is link dot net’s structure :
link dot net = (Dancom+WOL) / (Some ex-cybernet management guys)
Feels like spaghetti soup you say? I agree! The whole thing lacks integration, and it is very visible that this is really a “mash up” made to look like a single entity. After Mobilink’s failed cybernet accquisition bid (many say it was a bad move by Cybernet not to take the offer), Mobilink went out and bought out floundering ISPs like Dancom, WOL, and DVcom, injected capital and experienced management, and re-launched the services as Link dot net.
The whole thing is run by bad marketing. For some reason they have TWO websites. The one I went to is terrible, AND it’s heavy. I need to ask their marketing gurus that if I were looking for a DSL connection for my house, wouldn’t I probably be on DIALUP?!?! The website just does not open on a slow internet connection. One website is link Pakistan, and the other is link dot net. I was totally confused and to save you the pain I went through, I’ve linked the rates here .
Their rates are low, about 30% cheaper than other DSL ISP’s, so basically the strategy seems to be to under price the incumbents.
Given how profitable Broadband can be, keeping low rates is probably a good idea - but is it too little too late? Small but fast growing companies like Maxcomm and Multinet have been beating everyone’s pants off in the sector, mostly due to reliable connectivity and good customer service. In this arena low price may not be the prime concern over data integrity for most high end users.
Overall, I’m not impressed. The marketing is average, conventional, and even bad. Websites are messed up, slow, difficult to navigate, and cross linked (perhaps someone on their team is a sadist). Link dot net need to hire a usability expert to fix their problems!
Here are the TWO urls if you like to spend time digging out information meant to be in front of you at all times:
Popularity: 14% [?]
25 Responses
A dull site but surprisingly competitive rates … What do you say about UnLimited volume/month? Really? I don’t think so ..
As far as the website is concerned its almost the replica of their group site link.net, and such things may occur when companies expand themselves. I remember when Telenor launched in Pakistan had the high tech kind of ads (not popular in pakistan) which did not give them the impact as required in the local maeket.
Mohtashim: A bit of information here:
OT is tapping the broadband/data market in Pakistan using two competing wings - Mobilink’s internal Data and LDI wing which has not separate brand name. These guys are providing long distance bandwidths to corporates and the nationwide Wimax Roll out under the Mobilink’s brand name.
The second OT company, which as nothing to do with Mobilink in terms of organization is LinkDotNet which you have referred to in your post. They are doing DSL mainly as well as Wimax on a limited scale to corporate customers. LDN, as you’ve mentioned, is composed of ex-resources of WOL and Dancom Online and hare now hiring technical resources from various old players like Cybernet etc.
My guess is that having two companies to fight each other for a vast, untapped, under-served Pakistani’ market is a well thought off decision on part of OT.
I guess its well thought out decision.Or not. Though the last company I know to do that almost killed itself. (anyone heard of IBM’s state in the early 90’s?). Doesn’t seem to be a good concentrated, integrated exercise in brand, marketing and sales, more like, “lets just let them loose and see what they do”
btw Tee Emm, thanks for the update on the story!
Well Maxcom has also revised its packages,
Home 128 has now become Home 256 for the same price
Home 256 has now become Home 512
Home 512 has now become Home 768
a large number of our clients have been updated according to new packages, the rest will be updated as well as soon as our backhaul provisioning is completed which will probably take a week. Official announcements will follow once the upgrades are completed.
Boss! i jst wana say try once LINKDSL and feel the change its true that we change the way YOU live
LINKdotNET Team member
I live in Wah Cantt. I subscribed to Linkdotnet last month.
It performed well for week. On my 256k package, gave me a consistent 25KB/s download/upload. Right after a week, they started ‘upgrading’ all the customers to the next package (512kbps in my case) for the same cost. Since that day, my downloads range from 5KB/s to 20KB/s, usually averaging at 10KB/s. Its been 2 weeks, my package has not been ‘upgraded’, the modem still connects at 250/254. The download is still pathetic, not to mention the latency. Much of my time is spent making and recieving calls from their technical support, usually simply telling them that my problem has NOT been solved, soon after which the conversation ends with a promise to look into it.
It has DEFINITELY changed the way I live.
in a good way or a bad way? heheh
I had a very poor experience of Link Dot Net’s DSL connection. Currently they are suffering by “internet disconnection issues”. The connection session automatically expires after every two minutes. So after reading comments about Wateen telecom, I will switch to Wateen telecom. I hope they will provide high speed with no disconnection issues that Link Dot Net has.
Anyways, I have written a blog post where I have shared my thoughts about poor services by Link Dot Net. You can read this blog at http://linkdotnet.wordpress.com/2008/04/26/link-dot-net-linknet-disconnection-problems/
Thanks for your attention.
Dancom (now link.net) has introduced a very unique internet package for Wah Cantt i.e. “Dialup over DSL”. What a innovation from Dancom!!!
My Dialup and GPRS works better than their DSL. Normal rate is 4K and burstable to 9K, though my package is 256K
Link.net wah Cantt ( dialup over DSL ) Wata Service Provider
I have a billing issue with Link.net.
last week i went to frenchize and asked about my package they said 512 k. I said then wat should be price they said for 512 K price is Rs. 1250.
It cost Rs.1250 for 512 so wat it will be for 40 to 100 K and with 100 disconnects per day free ?? kindly bill me according to this package then ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. result is my connection is terminated. Wata service provider.
Dial up over dsl zinda bad..
men dencom k bare mn kush jannana cahta hon koi sab meri maddat karren shokkria
my phone number is 0033 635395992 france
give me 1 ring i call you
How is linkdotnet doing, can anyone tell us?
Dear. i am using LInkdotNET now a day’s,it’s good and obviously better then PTCL and wateen as i am so much disopinted from both of services.
For details :www.link.net.pk
Hi Friendssssssss///Good News
Orascom owned, World Online (WOL) has stepped forward by offering internet hours to be purchased by sending an SMS for Mobilink and Warid customers (Both Prepaid and Postpaid customers). WOL says that objective of this service is to provide utmost convenience and instant access to the Internet at any time of the day or night.
Mobilink customers get an edge, as they are offered Internet hours at Rs. 2 per hour, however, Warid customers would be disappointed with the service, rate is Rs. 10 per hour for Warid Customers.
For Mobilink Customers (Prepaid and Postpaid)
To get the Internet hours, you need to send an SMS from your Mobilink number.
For 4 Internet Hours: Type 10 and send an SMS to 965 (Rs. 10 will be charged)
For 8 Internet Hours: Type 20 and send an SMS to 965 (Rs. 20 will be charged)
For 25 Internet Hours: Type 50 and send an SMS to 965 (Rs. 50 will be charged)
You will receive an auto generated SMS for confirmation, reply it with “Yes” and you will get WOL Internet login and password instantly in response.
Kindly ensure to dial WOL UIN 13131313 through your complete login and password.
Note: these Internet hours will be charged from Mobilink monthly bill in case of postpaid subscribers and will be directly deducted from the balance in case of prepaid subscribers.
For Warid Customers (Prepaid and Postpaid)
To get the Internet hours, you need to send an SMS from your Warid number.
For 1 Internet Hour: Type WOL and send an SMS to 1310 (Rs. 10 will be charged)
For 2 Internet Hours: Type WOL and send an SMS to 1320 (Rs. 20 will be charged)
For 5.5 Internet Hours: Type WOL and send an SMS to 1350 (Rs. 50 will be charged)
You will receive an auto generated SMS for confirmation, reply it with “Yes” and you will get WOL Internet login and password instantly in response.
Kindly ensure to dial WOL UIN 13131313 through your complete login and password.
Note: these Internet hours will be charged from Warid monthly bill in case of postpaid subscribers and will be directly deducted from the balance in case of prepaid subscribers.
for More Information call: 111-600-111/222
atlast wateen usb now available again in stock. any body interested in wateen wimax usb with unlimited or limited download plan please contact at 0323 4483 157
wateen is offering 1mb unlimited in just 1500 Rs per month even witribe is not offering such a low cost package
Thank you for the very good advice. I was wondering in case you may possibly point me in direction of some more links?.
AOA,now link dot net merge in oracecom so,coming some months we will expand our consumer,but we accept it our mistake is low advertisment.mobilink infinity lunch in karachi it is good working till 2 years.inshallha it should lunch as soon in all cities of pakistan.and it is compete all other service provider beacause its coverage all over the pakistan.http://www.mobilinkinfinity.com/
I have given request for Linkdotnet many days before device has been provided but still my connection not installed. Please do needful.
I have given request for Linkdotnet many days before. I have been provided device, but still my connection has not been installed. Please do needful.
Cell NO.0300-9255224
mobilink link dot net problem sir slip number 260 . date 27-08-2011 apply for computer internet but today date 12-09-2011 net connection is not ok ready deal : naeem bukhari 03028462326
mobilink link dot net problem sir slip number 260 . date 27-08-2011 apply for computer internet but today date 12-09-2011 net connection is not ok ready . CELL 03218523000