Should I change from Pipex?

HC_2

I've been with Pipex for quite a few years. I can't remember how long exactly - maybe ten years. I've not had the slightest problem with them in that time, until recently.

I read the stuff about people experiencing problems after the Tiscali takeover. I tish-toshed it. Everything was fine with my connection.

Then Pipex rang me - about a month or two ago. They invited me to change my package from one that cost £23.44 a month to one that cost £14.99. The new package has a download limit - but that was no problem for us as we don't have heavy Internet usage. The Pipex rep did warn me that at peak times the service would slow down - but that even at its slowest speed it would still be faster than what we had now.

Fast forward.

My Internet connection is much worse than it was a few months ago. The laptop I'm typing on now experiences dropped connection much more often. Tonight it's very bad. I can't play Internet poker because that puts such a load on the connection, and it can't cope.

Should I change my ISP?

Could it be my router that's playing up? Indeed, if ever I have a big problem on my laptop, I reboot my router and that seems so solve it.

I would go for that, except the connection-dropping is intermittent, and it seems odd that this has only started happening since Pipex called me to change my package.

I'm loath to change ISP; the hassle, the paperwork; the lack of connection if it goes wrong.

But if I have to, who should I change to? I'm not interested in telephone or television services.

And is the changeover efficient and quick?

I think I signed up with Pipex for 12 months when they changed my package. However if it is them, rather than my router (such a coincidence after my change of package), I'd be happy to pay my way out and go with a better ISP.

weegie.geek

The change of package sounds like they've LLU'd you.

The changeover, if this is the case, will be neither efficient nor quick, especially when it means you're moving from Tiscali back to BT. It'll involve wires being unplugged, moved, and re-plugged in at the exchange. Not hard, but BT will do their best to make it seem hard.

Check your exchange at http://www.samknows.com and see what other providers are in your area. Be*/O2 would be my first choice. If you can get either, you'll notice a world of difference.

HC_2

weegie.geek wrote: »

The change of package sounds like they've LLU'd you.

The changeover, if this is the case, will be neither efficient nor quick, especially when it means you're moving from Tiscali back to BT. It'll involve wires being unplugged, moved, and re-plugged in at the exchange. Not hard, but BT will do their best to make it seem hard.

Check your exchange at http://www.samknows.com and see what other providers are in your area. Be*/O2 would be my first choice. If you can get either, you'll notice a world of difference.

LLU?

.......

HC_2

weegie.geek wrote: »

The change of package sounds like they've LLU'd you.

The changeover, if this is the case, will be neither efficient nor quick, especially when it means you're moving from Tiscali back to BT. It'll involve wires being unplugged, moved, and re-plugged in at the exchange. Not hard, but BT will do their best to make it seem hard.

Check your exchange at http://www.samknows.com and see what other providers are in your area. Be*/O2 would be my first choice. If you can get either, you'll notice a world of difference.

Done that. Yes, I can get BE/02.

Weegie, do you think it's my laptop? Seems most strange that the problems started after my change of package, but I can't discount it being my problem.

S_t_e_v_e

HC wrote: »

Weegie, do you think it's my laptop?

If you connect your modem/router with a USB cable it could be getting loose and losing the connection. I'm on the 3rd of my laptops 3 USB ports now as the other two have become so loose due to constant plugging/unplugging that they drop the connection at the slightest movement.

As for Pipex, I'm going to wait and see who takes them over. You never know it might be a quality ISP who improve the service.

unrich

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_loop_unbundling

I thought pipex were pants when I was with them. I tried to sign up for something and even after several calls and charges they couldn't get it right.

123reg didn't renew my domain and didn't respond to my requests.

I went over to supanet some time back and I'm not mightily impressed either.

If there is a decent supplier thay doesn't cost the earth with unlimited package I'd be interested.

bill888

Is it your 'internet' connection which is dropping or your 'wireless' connection?

If you were paying £23.44, you were most likely on Pipex's old fixed speed services where you will have had a solid as a rock type connection.

When you accepted Poopex's new £14.99 (Pipex Midi 10gb?), your connection was changed to a Max dsl type service. (ie. best possible speed down the phone line at the expense of reliability...)

Without knowing your make and model of router and how old it is, I would also certainly take a closer look at your phone wiriing too.

I used to be on 1mb Pipex a few years ago. When I changed ISP and went to upto 8mb max DSL, my ancient BT 1200 router went nuts, broadband disconnecting frequently with high error rates. Changing the router solved the problem.

Tiscali/Pipex customer service, administrative and billing systems are awful, but I know of relatives who have no problems with their connections - of course, they have also never had to phone Pipex up lately so are obllivious to the widely reported issues.


Most likely you were already on Tiscali LLU fixed speed connection when they performed mass migrations from BT to Tiscali LLU earlier this year, and all they have done when u signed up to the cheaper package, is to change you to a max dsl type service on LLU.

Visit http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=pipex for more advice.


I also second Weegie.Geek's advice to switch to o2 broadband but I would make some sort of attempt to sort out your disconnection problems first as Pipex will levy heavy cancellation charge if you leave now. Your disconnection problems may not necessarily go away if u did change to o2, unless their new router solves the line problem.

aerostar

Also because you changed your package you will probably now be on a new one year contract, and if you leave early the want their pound of flesh !! eg balance of contract cost.

A collegue was also migrated to LLU and it promptly started disconnecting every 12 hours and would not re-connect, though prior to that it was rock solid, also the speed went from 8mb to 4 and upload to 288 from 448, on raising the matter he was told it was the equipment in the exchange that did not do the higher speeds and the line might not be good - B******x. (he is 130 yds from it to start with for signal strength and had the full whack prior).

Had to change the modem which then fixed the disconnection/re-connect problem, the original one works with Zen,plusnet, demon.

Have migrated him to plusnet - he was off for about 10 hours yesterday, and was finally connected around 19:00.

Plusnet even phoned him to say he was connected !

It appears to take longer to switch back to a BT supplied connection fom LLU as it appears that Tiscali/or whoever has to do some of the work as it is their equipment in the exchange.

HC_2

Logic tells me that the dropping connection is my wireless problem and not a Pipex issue. And that's certainly what they'd say if I called them. I need to check out my whole network (three computers in total). If the PC that's connected by ethernet to the router drops at the same time, I'll have my answer. My router is Netgear, and just a few months old.

But I can't get away from the fact that it's only started to happen since my package was changed. And it only happens at times of heavy traffic - i.e. evening, and particularly late evening.

HC_2

I just rang Pipex to cancel my contract with them. Despite the fact that I'm only 2 months into a 12-month contract, I didn't have any trouble at all. They didn't try to persuade me to stay with them, and they didn't argue when I said that I am cancelling mid-contract because of their poor service.

So for any other dissatisfied Pipex customers who want to move, but think they're tied in, just call them and be polite and firm.

By the way, I think I might go with BT's Home Hub. I've had that recommended to me before. Does anyone have any good or bad experience with that?

bill888

HC wrote: »

They didn't try to persuade me to stay with them, and they didn't argue when I said that I am cancelling mid-contract because of their poor service.

I think you will find their credit control department will have a different view. Almost certain they will levy cancellation charges regardless of what was negotiated on the phone. So be prepared for a fight.

If you pay by direct debit, it is recommended you cancel the arrangement immediately so you have control.

If you pay by debit or credit card, you will have difficulty stopping Poopex taking payments, and subsequently getting refunds. Cancelling your card or report it stolen seems to be only way to block CCA payments.


BT''s new home hub is a wireless N device so I wouldn't put too much faith in their current TV adverts unless all your wireless devices are wireless N compatible too.


Following might be of interest.
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/isp/compare.html?isp_7=1&isp_86=1&isp_20=1&isp_77=1&isp_23=1&commit=Compare

http://www.dslzoneuk.net/isp_ratings.php


btw, to move to another ISP, you will need a MAC code to migrate away from Pipex. If you mention 'cancellation' to Pipex, they may take it to mean you wish to cancel all ADSL services. Moving to another ISP then becomes more much more difficult.