Starband / Dish Network ripoff

Last year I took advantage of an offer from Starband (now owned by Dish Network, aka Echostar). Said offer was for a satellite system that received both internet service and Dish programming. All I had to do was to commit to pay $99 a month and I would receive both. The advertised connection speeds were very attractive especially since I live in a rural area not covered by DSL.

After paying over $600 for equipment and installation, the service was less than advertised. Several tech support calls later and after several denials of anything being wrong, Starband agreed that there was a problem with the assigned cluster for my receiver and promised to correct the problem in a week or so.

In the mean time, Starband sends out a message to all users that the support for the existing model 180 modems would be terminated and that you needed to obtain their new model 360 modem. However, in order to obtain the new 360 you had to extend your contract by an additional year. The latter being tantamount to extortion.

Meanwile... the cluster problem was never fixed so I contacted Starband several times via email and received only canned responses. Finally after being on hold for an eternity, I was able to contact a compassionate customer service rep who agreed that my service was sub standard and that I could terminate my contracts without penalty.

Unfortunately, this was all going on while Dish Network acquired Starband and their agreement to terminate without penalty went out the window. Now Dish is demanding I pay $250 for termination of substandard service.

I have advised Dish that I have no intention of paying the $250 and that I am seeking any and all parties involved in class action against Dish so that I may join in the complaint. Today I received another collection call from Dish, they just don't know what "I'm Not Paying" means.