The GOOD ISP thread...

[Deleted User] · 17 April 2006 at 2:38PM

Are there any?

Good in terms of - does what it says on the tin!

Having found that nearly every ISP is being complained about in some way or another, and conscious of the fact there will always be a few disgruntled customers with EVERY ISP - I've moved to one of the most expensive - but for whom I have seen the least complaints about -Zen!

Hardly moneysaving but absolutely no problems so far.

The speed is what I'm paying for. No disruptions to service. I have found them to reply to emails promptly and they appear very efficient.

Also, it is only a one month contract. VITAL for me.

The downside is the cost - £29.99 pm inc. VAT

All that for only 1mg unlimited downloads.

But I am enjoying the reliability and the speed and fact I am not tied to them for 12 months.

electron_3 · 17 April 2006 at 2:42PM

I think Zen are way overpriced, I mean I get exactly what I want and no problems
from Blueyonder, I just cant see where Zen can charge so much.

So for me Blueyonder.

[Deleted User] · 17 April 2006 at 2:47PM

How much are you paying at Blueyonder and for what? Are you getting what you are paying for?

I know Zen are pricey - I'm hoping the broadband war started by the Carphonewarehouse will bring prices down over the next few months - including Zen - or at least give me options to go elsewhere.

electron_3 · 17 April 2006 at 6:14PM

With Blueyonder I got.

A prompt and on time installation by a technician who cabled my pad very tidily
a Free Modem along with the Free install, plenty of cable to move Modem if I wish to
I have never had one drop out issue or lack of service, I paid £14.99 a month for the first year as a new customer for a 512 connection and I had a 2meg connection for the the last 4mths of that 12month contract as they did the free upgrades.

As I have now passed the 12month contract I pay £17.99 per month for the 2meg connection like I say I have had no disruption of service and my speeds are absolutely fine both upstream and downstream.

I get told my bill per month via email then I can log in and check every aspect of my account and I have webmail, webspace and 10+ email addresses if I so wish.

All in all very good service.

There is a CD setup disc but connecting via ethernet means this isnt a must use
as you can plug straight into the modem and off you go.

Jack21_2 · 17 April 2006 at 6:24PM

Hiya icecoolebabe,

Thanks for the info, as I've been considering going with 'Zen' for broadband too, mainly due to their excellent reputation, rolling monthly contract set up and the possibility of speed 'up to 8meg' (Ive checked this with my local exchange and I'll get at least 6meg luckily!).

Although at first glance they do seem a tad steep, they've also been around for over 10 years, and the computer press seem to rate them very highly.

I'm getting a Mac next week so the company I choose needs to have Mac friendly tech - support which Zen also pride themselves on, plus I think their tech - support line is an 0845 number as opposed to a premium rate / Indian call centre..essential after being with the God - awful Tiscali for a year!

So Deleted_User, Thanks for the insight as I've been considering Zen for a couple of months now. It seems like you're a happy camper

After trawling the web and finding good reports all round re Zen, it looks like my minds made up, but I do have one query if I may..

Howcome you're paying the £29.99 when their Active 8000 package as advertised on their site at http://www.zenbroadband.com/athome.aspx?page=455 is £24.99?!

I've also taken into account the 'activation charge' of £47, which obviously I'd rather not pay, however if it means I'll be getting decent service then I wont complain..Ive not found one negative report of Zen either in the papers / mags or on the web, so this tells me something!

Cheers,

Jack :beer:

Jack21_2 · 17 April 2006 at 6:29PM

Hi electron,

Thanks for the info regarding Blueyonder.

Am about to check them out too!

Will they support speeds up to the 8Mb do you know?

Many Thanks,

Jack :beer:

Stephen_Webber · 17 April 2006 at 6:48PM

I've just moved from Force 9 (Plusnet) to Zen and have been very impressed so far. The migration was completed within 24 hours and the access has been pretty quick through them. I'm also able to download at almost 8Mbps now. I'm paying a couple of quid a month more than I was, but the service seems more reliable than before.

Cheers,
Stephen

peter_the_piper · 17 April 2006 at 6:50PM

If you want a bog standard ISP for internet access only I am happy with Newnet. I've not had any real problems. I'm on 8050 lite, which is a 2meg inclusive usage, just pay later for usage over this. Paying under £13.00 month on a monthly contract.

electron_3 · 17 April 2006 at 6:59PM

Jack21 wrote:

Hi electron,

Thanks for the info regarding Blueyonder.

Am about to check them out too!

Will they support speeds up to the 8Mb do you know?

Many Thanks,

Jack :beer:

I dont know at the moment but I expect they will at sometime or another
keep up with everybody else or they will fall by the wayside here is a forum
by BlueYonder users. http://www.by-users.co.uk/

Also I would like to remind folk that there is really no difference between a 2meg connection and a 8meg connection whilst browsing pages, And thats a honest fact, I will say however you will notice huge differences in download speeds, I mean for Music Film and Programs, so If you really are not going to use the connection for big downloads I would stay with a 2meg connection and not fall into the 8meg more money trap.

Also more answers here http://anniebrion.myby.co.uk/broadband-faq.html

Blueyonder 10meg speed prices here http://www.telewest.co.uk/websales/product.do?id=3246

And some info to save a few quid http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=181573

[Deleted User] · 17 April 2006 at 7:40PM

electron wrote:

With Blueyonder I got.

A prompt and on time installation by a technician who cabled my pad very tidily
a Free Modem along with the Free install, plenty of cable to move Modem if I wish to
I have never had one drop out issue or lack of service, I paid £14.99 a month for the first year as a new customer for a 512 connection and I had a 2meg connection for the the last 4mths of that 12month contract as they did the free upgrades.

As I have now passed the 12month contract I pay £17.99 per month for the 2meg connection like I say I have had no disruption of service and my speeds are absolutely fine both upstream and downstream.

I get told my bill per month via email then I can log in and check every aspect of my account and I have webmail, webspace and 10+ email addresses if I so wish.

All in all very good service.

There is a CD setup disc but connecting via ethernet means this isnt a must use
as you can plug straight into the modem and off you go.

Is this for unlimited downloads with no cap or Fair Usage constrictions?

Sounds quite good if so.

[Deleted User] · 17 April 2006 at 7:43PM

Jack21 wrote:

Howcome you're paying the £29.99 when their Active 8000 package as advertised on their site at http://www.zenbroadband.com/athome.aspx?page=455 is £24.99?!

My understanding of the above is that is capped downloads.

I received the March Zen newsletter inviting me to sign up to the above which indeed does give 'up to 8mg' speeds - for the same as what I am paying.

The following (which I don't know how to put in different type) is quoted from the newsletter -

Trials have shown that it is not commercially viable to offer completely unlimited usage with download speeds of up to 8Mbps, of course, which does means the introduction of some usage allowance for the first time.

My exchange is also still in the dark ages and not even managing 2mg!

p.s

The £29.99 I pay is inclusive of VAT. The above 'up to 8mg' will be the same when they add on the VAT.

The GOOD ISP thread...

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