Foxtel Customers whose service is delivered by Satellite are now being told that the service will not work during heavy downpours of rain. These are the same customers who are also being charged the same monthly fee as Foxtel cable customers but without the benefit of access to free to air TV stations Channel 7 and Ten which are delivered to cable customers.
Foxtel customers who are charged over $56.00 a month are also being denied access to a full electronic program guide for free to air stations 10 and 7. Similar services in most Western Countries like the UK USA and Canada include a full EPG program guide.
During the Easter long weekend SmartHouse News witnessed the Foxtel Satellite feed go down 3 times during heavy downpours of rain.
A call to the Foxtel support line revealed that this was normal "During heavy downpours of rain"
A support spokesperson said when told that the satellite service was down " Is it raining in your area" When told Yes they said "Well the Satellite service  does go down when it is raining heavily. This happens quite often. It is not our fault. It is because of the weather". When asked whether Foxtel refunded consumers whose service they could not deliver the support executive said "It is in the small print and I can find it in our terms and conditions if you wish but we do not refund customers".
When asked why satellite consumers were charged the same rate as Foxtel cable customers the executive said "You will have to take that up with management".