Question

skintchick

OK, I know this ought to be on the internet board BUT I have asked there already and wasn't hugely helpful PLUS I LIKE IT HERE! Please don't make me leave!! :rotfl:

So, the question is this.

I am being given a PC (hurrah! :T ) and want to get online. What is the cheapest and best way?

I am with onetel and currently have their line rental, but am considering going back to BT as the saving of 75p does not offset the Indian customer service. :mad:

I pay around £10-15 a month on calls, although obviously it varies.

Onetel offer unlimited dialup AND unlimited landline calls for £19.99 a month.

Is this a good idea? Or should I stick with pay as you go dialup?

I need to factor in my lodger, who currently pays for her calls, but if it is unlimited then should I get her to contribute or just pay for it myself?

I just don't know what to do! I want to keep it cheap, and PAYG dialup woudl mean I could cut back if I needed to one month, but £19,99 when I usually spend a tenner on calls seems like it might be cheap?

I know you're all very savvy on these things, so please advise!!

Number_6_3

Try https://www.asdlguide.org.uk for list of broadband suppliers inc payg.

https://www.metronet.co.uk for payg broadband

http://www.bulldogbroadband.com have some phone and internet deals. Some issues with customer service last year but seem to have improved (See asdlguide for user comments)

The other options dialup. Really only worth it for light use as it can be infuriatingly slow.

For free phone calls try http://www.skype.com/ all you need is a mic and some speakers. To get it totally free you need to be speaking to other skype users (encourage your friends ) Landlines and mobiles are extra but reasonably cheap.

HTH

R

Magentasue

Have a look at TalkTalk, I moved from OneTel when it was recommended on this site. http://www.talktalk.co.uk/talktalk/servlet/gben-voice-PageServer?ARTICLE=PRODUCTS

I have broadband, with two adults and three teenagers it feels essential! If you're used to dial up and happy with it, it's the cheaper option but it's a hard climb down once you get used to broadband!

skintchick

Oh, you see, I'm confused now! All those links!!

I really have no idea what I'm talking about with this - please tell me in words of one syllable!!

skintchick

Magentasue wrote:

Have a look at TalkTalk, I moved from OneTel when it was recommended on this site. http://www.talktalk.co.uk/talktalk/servlet/gben-voice-PageServer?ARTICLE=PRODUCTS

I have broadband, with two adults and three teenagers it feels essential! If you're used to dial up and happy with it, it's the cheaper option but it's a hard climb down once you get used to broadband!

We have broadband at work, but I have never had internet at home, and it would only be for this site, emailing and eBay really.

sockospice

How old's the PC you're being given. If it's quite old it might not be worth getting broadband as with a slow pc there isn't always a lot of benefit. In which case, the onetel deal sounds quite good.

skintchick

It's one that used to be in an office - think it's not really old, but not sure TBH as I didn't look the gift horse in the mouth! It's a Dell, that's all I know.

Magentasue

Well, assuming your pc has a modem (it's rare not to now) and you have a lead you could nip to Asda or suchlike and get yourself one of those free trial AOL discs. Make sure you cancel in time ad try it out. If it's fast enough for what you do, then that's what you need! If it's too slow you'll need to move into broadband world. The ADSL guide link in post 2 compares them. You need to look at how much they charge, how long the contract is, how reliable they're rated and whether you get a modem (you need a new one for broadband).

As for calls - if you click Phones and Utilities on the left, there's some advice on best buys there.

I would ask your lodger to go halves if she's using the facilities BUT be careful most of these inclusive packages don't include premium rate calls, 0870s, mobiles etc, you need to agree on paying for your own there.

HTH!

skintchick

Thank you! I will try a free disc and see how it goes. VERY excited about having a computer at home! how sad am I?

Rikki

It depends whether you wish to use a telephone line or cable.

Telephone line dial up- you will have a variable monthly bill depending on the amount you use.
Telephone broadband- fixed monthly cost no matter how much you use. Bt seems good for this.

If you have access to cable it will automatically be broadband and you can choose the monthly cost according to your suplier.

Personally I have telephone broadband and I know what my monthly costs will be. I have no cable network avaliable.

skintchick

Don't know if have access to cable. How would I find out?? (Oh! I am soooooo rubbish!)