ISP recommendation??
Thread Starter
ISP recommendation??
Having, thankfully, reached the point where I can dump my present ISP without penalty charge, I am looking for a replacement. Scanning the 'net, the options appear to be almost non-existent. I would prefer to have a Domestic Broadband/ Telephone combination deal but, apart from Virgin, (not possible 'cos no cable) I've tried everyone apart from Plusnet and Zen. All were/are rubbish in one area or another. Does anyone have any experience of either of the latter two or any recommendations. I am, apparently, in Market area 1 = BT-only lines so no competition and thus higher charges. Distance from exchange and poor quality copper mean max D/L possible is 1.7Mbs (with an I-Plate fitted) so no point in paying for high D/L service. Have, so far, used AOL, BT, Tiscali, TalkTalk, and, presently, Orange.
Any thoughts, anyone, please?
TIA
Any thoughts, anyone, please?
TIA
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Utilities Warehouse. The more you combine other utilities the cheaper it gets.
Broadband help line is based in UK (I think) and responds quickly and helpfully.
I switched to them for elec/gas years ago, and 2 years ago added telephone and ADSL. Download speed increased by factor of 4+ from previous ISP (Eclipse), although I can't see how that could happen on the same BT copper wire. But it did. And costs reduced by 50%.
By and large, UW is always cheaper than most/all suppliers, allowing for very short term lags in response, when comparing like with like.
Broadband help line is based in UK (I think) and responds quickly and helpfully.
I switched to them for elec/gas years ago, and 2 years ago added telephone and ADSL. Download speed increased by factor of 4+ from previous ISP (Eclipse), although I can't see how that could happen on the same BT copper wire. But it did. And costs reduced by 50%.
By and large, UW is always cheaper than most/all suppliers, allowing for very short term lags in response, when comparing like with like.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: manchester
Age: 70
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Jack, I was in your position not long ago, at that time I was with Zen who were excellent, their customer service is second to none, provision almost faultless, only had one outage in the several years I was with and, even then, it was due to circumstances beyond their control but it was costing me and I had a low cap on download, I needed more than my cap and decided to ditch them in favour of my mobile dongle with a higher cap. Once the contract on mobile ran out I ditched that and went to Plusnet for cost. I have noticed the difference, speed seems lower and connection drops frequently, as I am not dependant on it it is not enough of an issue to scream and shout.
If you NEED a stable connection go to Zen, costs you more but they are truly professional, if for cost, especially with phone bundle, go to Plusnet but be prepared for glitches.
Hope this helps.
If you NEED a stable connection go to Zen, costs you more but they are truly professional, if for cost, especially with phone bundle, go to Plusnet but be prepared for glitches.
Hope this helps.
Hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian title
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: is everything
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll second Zen. I use them on a slightly unusual setup, both installation and billing-wise. Tech support was very clued up the one time I needed it. Worth the money.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: U.K.
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It certainly seems to depend on where you are in the country. In about 2004, my exchange was broadband enabled and I was recommended to use Plusnet as my broadband ISP. I have been with them ever since and enjoyed faultless service - oh and even a free domain name when their e-mail address database got hacked. That problem is now long behind them and the domain name I acquired is proving very successful in promoting my holiday cottage. On the rare occasions that I have needed technical assistance, it has been excellent. I rarely think about the system - it just works and, about half a mile from my exchange, I get up to 6Mb.
P.P.
P.P.
You don't need cable to get a virgin service - it's available down the phone line too. I'm with newnet, which is undoubtedly not the cheapest but has been the best support so far and is a monthly contract so you can leave whenever you like.
Thread Starter
Thank you, one and all.
Interesting replies. 'Twould seem that ZEN have a good reputation and Plusnet are a possibility.
Capot - Could you expand a little on UW? - I haven't heard of them and they didn't appear in my 'net searches.
Background noise - I haven't seen ANY reference to a Virgin service other than cable. Any more info/refs, please?
Interesting replies. 'Twould seem that ZEN have a good reputation and Plusnet are a possibility.
Capot - Could you expand a little on UW? - I haven't heard of them and they didn't appear in my 'net searches.
Background noise - I haven't seen ANY reference to a Virgin service other than cable. Any more info/refs, please?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread Starter
Aerouk - thank you. Unfortunately. O2, I believe, are part of BT, an organisation of quite stupefyingly ingrained incompetence and uninterest in customer service - almost as bad as TalkTalk!!
Capot - thank you also. For a moment it looked as though you had struck gold for me!
Unfortunately there is something rather odd about their site - each time that I try to check availability it comes up with 'unable to contact server' (or somesuch) Some of their preamble refers to Local Loop Unbundling as a prerequisite, which, presumably is what is being checked on their (unobtainable) availability site.Will try again later but am not hopeful
"Belay my last pipe"!!
Have just resorted to the 'Talking Bone' - now there's a novelty
and spoke to one of their people. Helpful and informative (but they all are , at that stage
) He will post me relevant package details so I shall see if it makes sense and proceed accordingly.
Capot - thank you also. For a moment it looked as though you had struck gold for me!
Unfortunately there is something rather odd about their site - each time that I try to check availability it comes up with 'unable to contact server' (or somesuch) Some of their preamble refers to Local Loop Unbundling as a prerequisite, which, presumably is what is being checked on their (unobtainable) availability site.Will try again later but am not hopeful
"Belay my last pipe"!!
Have just resorted to the 'Talking Bone' - now there's a novelty
and spoke to one of their people. Helpful and informative (but they all are , at that stage) He will post me relevant package details so I shall see if it makes sense and proceed accordingly.
Last edited by Cornish Jack; 4th May 2010 at 13:31.
Recidivist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Essex, UK
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Think you'll find that 02 (formerly Cellnet) are not connected (sic) in any way with BT. Not that I would recommend them either!
Been quite happy with TalkTalk for last couple of years, maybe you were just unlucky?
Been quite happy with TalkTalk for last couple of years, maybe you were just unlucky?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Earth
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Think you'll find that 02 (formerly Cellnet) are not connected (sic) in any way with BT.
The same goes for the non-cable version of NTL that others have mentioned.
Really your primary choice should be LLU DSL or BT based DSL.
If BT-based DSL, then the product portfolio of all ISPs can be considered identical, and it's the customer service that's the differentiator. I would second the name "Zen" already proposed above.
If LLU based, I've heard good things about UKOnline and Be.
To find out what non-BT based options you have in your area, use the search functions at SamKnows .... SamKnows Broadband - Comprehensive Broadband Information
I can't fault Plusnet.
For years with a previous provider my connection kept dropping with a max speed of 750kbps [info provided by BT as the max the line could support] so I changed to PN because of the drops and getting no support.
I went away for 6 weeks & BT reduced my profile from 750kbps to 300 - I complained to PN, they contacted BT, & although it took 2 months to sort, my speed is now in excess on 4.5mgs. All BT did was too change my master input socket to the new openreach one with the built in filter.
For years with a previous provider my connection kept dropping with a max speed of 750kbps [info provided by BT as the max the line could support] so I changed to PN because of the drops and getting no support.
I went away for 6 weeks & BT reduced my profile from 750kbps to 300 - I complained to PN, they contacted BT, & although it took 2 months to sort, my speed is now in excess on 4.5mgs. All BT did was too change my master input socket to the new openreach one with the built in filter.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tracey Island
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you will find that O2 come out very well in the Customer satisfaction polls. There service centres are UK based and their Broadband reliable.
I'm lucky enough to have Virgin Cable but would move to O2 if cable was not available...O2 is UK's 'best broadband provider' | Money | The Guardian
I'm lucky enough to have Virgin Cable but would move to O2 if cable was not available...O2 is UK's 'best broadband provider' | Money | The Guardian
Thread Starter
Again, thank you all.
I'm afraid that past experience TOTALLY mitigates against any BT connection. (if you see what I mean)
mixture - your recommended site was new to me and fascinating but too complex for a 'bear with a simple brain'
deltapapa - I had a chat with Plusnet and was impressed - a sales 'rep' who seemed to understand what I was after, didn't try a hard sell and offered advice for a cheaper package than I initially enquired about. Quite extraordinary!!
Haven't quite made up my mind yet but will be asking Orange for my MAC shortly
I'm afraid that past experience TOTALLY mitigates against any BT connection. (if you see what I mean)
mixture - your recommended site was new to me and fascinating but too complex for a 'bear with a simple brain'
deltapapa - I had a chat with Plusnet and was impressed - a sales 'rep' who seemed to understand what I was after, didn't try a hard sell and offered advice for a cheaper package than I initially enquired about. Quite extraordinary!!
Haven't quite made up my mind yet but will be asking Orange for my MAC shortly
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Earth
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mixture - your recommended site was new to me and fascinating but too complex for a 'bear with a simple brain'
In relation to that site, the idea is that you can go to the exchange availability page (SamKnows Broadband - Availability - Exchange Search) type in your phone number and postcode and see who's in your area in terms of "independent" non-BT based providers.
Another good website, incidentally also less "techie", is ThinkBroadband (previously known as ADSLGuide) at thinkbroadband.com .... it's a great site, primarily a forum site like PPRuNe, but they also host reviews and other stuff it is run by a very friendly bunch of mods.
Que???...
...just tried that Samknows site and my telno returned "no results" but my postcode came up with the right exchange. Tad strange that is it not, mixture??
The Ancient Mariner
And another thing it says that the ISP that gives me my "service" is not available in my area??
Double "Que??"
The Ancient Mariner
And another thing it says that the ISP that gives me my "service" is not available in my area??
Double "Que??"