yes, but it can be very difficult and will require persistence...
You need to document your problems.. so every time yo have problems make a note of the date and time..
Since your provider appears to have already stated (in writing I hope) that they do have internal problems ask for a refund or compensation for the periods of non-service.. which may include a complete refund as you need a second internet connection in order to guarantee connectivity.
Try continous pings.. So, in Windows, hit 'Start' button.. then 'Run...', then type in 'command'.. this opens a MS Dos window..
type in 'ping
www.somesite.com -t'
this then sets up continous pings..
so you should see
Pinging xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx with 32 bytes of data
Reply from ... 231ms etc etc
Reply from ... 231ms etc etc
Request timed out..
If you see many 'Request timed out' you have a problem.. hit 'Print Screen', then open MS Paint.. Ctrl & V to paste the screenshot, save as a jpeg.. great, you now have some docementary evidence..
Also go to a site that measures your internet connectivity.. when you get bad results record them and it's more documentary evidence for you.
Clearly you should not have to pay for a service which isn't being provided...
Under legislation you are entitled to a contract which contains info on minimum service levels, and refund and compensation info for periods of non-service.. unfortunately according to Comreg, all operators are breaking this law, see report Comreg 07/49 from the Comreg website... so check your contract, and write to Comreg specifically mentioning that your contract is illegally formed.. request a refund on this basis too.. not only for yourself but for all that operators users.. (if the contract is in fact illegally formed).
You may find that you have to make a lot of noise about this.. just keep sending emails to both your service provider at first, if unhappy with the responses (i.e if you don't recieve an immediate refund) then also continually email Comreg.. eventually you will be allowed to break your contract with no penalty.. but insist that you receive a further refund for the periods of non-service, consider the small claims cour as in all likelyhood your contract is illegally formed and so it would be madness for the provider to fight you on this...
Please post details of how you are getting on, I would be happy to advise.. I am very confident that you will eventually recieve the refunds and outcome you desire...
I am currently in talks with Ministrer Eamon Ryan about the fiasco that is Comreg and their refusal to enforce the law which is their job.. see report Comreg 07/49 as I've said above.. it clearly states that all operators are ignoring the law regarding contracts.. it was produced in July, 2007.. nothing has happened since although eventually something will happen..mainly because I am continually pestering Eamon Ryan and Comreg about this. The laws concerning contracts came into force in 2003.. so it is surprising that in 2009 it is still ignored by all operators. (It is hard to be certain as Comreg are supposed to report on the level of compliance.. they have only produced the one report in 2007 which showed a 100% level of non-compliance... it is a reasonable assumption that all operators are still non-compliant as why would they become compliant when Comreg appear to have no intention of forcing them to?, the penalties for non-compliance appear to be non-existent as well whereas the potential cost of compliance is huge for operators.. they may find themselves refunding and compensating many of the 1.2 million people who have broadband connections in this country)
CEO of Comreg is John Doherty.
If you can please name your provider.
Cheers so,
Joe