2 ms·

So how does he manage to cut his prices so low? Does he use automation and other methods to improve efficiency?

by budu3 17y ago

ovi256 17y ago
They have an online self-care system - you use it to signal a problem and the system runs diags on the Freebox, phone line etc. Yup, completely automated. Unfortunately, if your problem falls between the cracks (something new, that is not in their list of common troubles) then it can get tricky, and you need to replace the Freebox. They'll replace it for free, of course, but it's still a hassle make the demand, get the delivery (UPS usually), install the new Freebox, send the old one in. This is all completely automated again, and the Freebox warehouse is outsourced to a specialized company. Free only has engineers : hardware, software and (lots and lots of) telecom guys. BTW, one of their top VPs wore a teeshirt saying "Go away, or I will replace you with a small shell script". So yeah, these guys love automation, they are hardcore engineers, nerdy to the core. Anecdote : some time ago they launched a new version of the Freebox. It was supposed to be for new subscribers and replacements. People (especially geeks, but mostly everybody) asked for replacements, because the new version had a bigger harddrive and some new features. Free had to replace many more Freeboxes that forecasted. So many of the consumer reports among the lines of "My Freebox broke so I had to have it replaced" should be more like "I invented a problem to get the free upgrade". Furthermore, you can replace the HDD with a bigger one or connect an external HDD - that's how you recognize a geek in Paris - his ADSL modem is tuned.
- budu3 17y ago
  Amazing. Thanks for the info. I think I love the company already. The t-shirt was funny. The free trademark is also clever. The freebox is also an interesting piece of equipment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freebox http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freebox

So how does he manage to cut his prices so low? Does he use automation and other methods to improve efficiency?

by budu3 17y ago

So how does he manage to cut his prices so low? Does he use automation and other methods to improve efficiency?

They have an online self-care system - you use it to signal a problem and the system runs diags on the Freebox, phone line etc. Yup, completely automated. Unfortunately, if your problem falls between the cracks (something new, that is not in their list of common troubles) then it can get tricky, and you need to replace the Freebox. They'll replace it for free, of course, but it's still a hassle make the demand, get the delivery (UPS usually), install the new Freebox, send the old one in. This is all completely automated again, and the Freebox warehouse is outsourced to a specialized company. Free only has engineers : hardware, software and (lots and lots of) telecom guys. BTW, one of their top VPs wore a teeshirt saying "Go away, or I will replace you with a small shell script". So yeah, these guys love automation, they are hardcore engineers, nerdy to the core. Anecdote : some time ago they launched a new version of the Freebox. It was supposed to be for new subscribers and replacements. People (especially geeks, but mostly everybody) asked for replacements, because the new version had a bigger harddrive and some new features. Free had to replace many more Freeboxes that forecasted. So many of the consumer reports among the lines of "My Freebox broke so I had to have it replaced" should be more like "I invented a problem to get the free upgrade". Furthermore, you can replace the HDD with a bigger one or connect an external HDD - that's how you recognize a geek in Paris - his ADSL modem is tuned.

budu3 17y ago
Amazing. Thanks for the info. I think I love the company already. The t-shirt was funny. The free trademark is also clever. The freebox is also an interesting piece of equipment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freebox http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freebox