WebTV may be rationing their service. *Consumer Suggestion ..buy a PC and get a real ISP

I purchased a WebTV Plus unit last year. I would estimate that I get on-line about 50% of the time I try, at best. Frequently, while on-line, everything fails to function, so that I have to shut off the unit.

The last time I called WebTV to complain, I was told by the "phone answerer" miles away from their headquarters in Palo Alto, California, that my connection rate was 96%. That is a bunch of B.S. They have also told me to check my connections, and suggested that the phone lines hooked to the unit may be worn or bent.

Sometimes I am told by the on-screen window that the unit is connected to WebTV when it is not. I have been told that the machine needs to be reset by unplugging it, then plugging it back in, but that rarely helps. I have been told that the phone number it dials is bad sometimes. I can see which number is being dialed by the machine, and sometimes it dials a few different ones.

The common denominator is that when the unit reaches WebTV, I am told "WebTV can not be contacted", or some such s**t, and that I should watch TV for a little while, and try again later.

I paid $250 for this thing, and $24.95 a month for unlimited internet access. I want what I paid for Goddamnit. Though I don't know for certain, I suspect them of rationing the service, figuring that WebTV users are poor, ignorant low-lifes, who get what they pay for, and so addicted to the web that they will put up with the terrible service.