It can be tough communicating in Hong Kong, even when you're in the communications business.
Laykin Communications president Joel Laykin recently decided to switch e-mail accounts from PCCW to rival Internet service provider Pacific Supernet, for a variety of reasons, but most of which related to additional security features.
But it all ended in tears, with the ISP being so secure it bolted the door to the letter-box shut for 2.5 days. The result was this e-mail, which was sent out to 'our entire e-mail phone-book around the globe' said: 'Due to extreme incompetence on the part of our new service provider (Pacific Supernet HK), we have not received any and all incoming messages sent to us from September 3rd, Tues 1800 hrs to September 5th, Thursday 1600hrs HK (800hrs GMT). Thursday 1600hrs HK (800hrs GMT). All these messages are lost according to Pacific Supernet's 'alleged' technical support service,' the e-mail thundered, before giving instructions to re-send all messages to one surviving e-mail address.
Yesterday, the still thundering communications man conceded he had unfairly maligned Supernet's technical support staff, who turned out to be unfailingly helpful explaining the problem. He pointed the finger instead at the sales person who failed to warn them this would happen when they switched systems.
'I still don't know what I don't know, it's scary,' Mr Lakyin said yesterday, referring to the still-MIA e-mails.
Last night a Supernet spokesperson was still investigating the case. When Lai See tried to call the senior account manager involved in the sale, who is yet to return any of the calls from Laykin representatives, we think we discovered why she hadn't.
'Supernet', she answered. Then there came a succession of 'wai?'. Second attempt, same result. Now there's a whole new telecommunications concept - the one-way phone. So much easier to use when resigning from jobs or dumping partners. And given the amount of time most people spend at work, for a lot of people the former would probably be harder than the latter.
