broadband access - any ideas?

ladybolan

Hi all,

So the short story is that my work are putting a bit of pressure on me to get broadband at home so that I am available to be on call in the evenings and at weekends.

I share a house with my friend with 6 months left on the lease, after which we will not be renewing - and I don't know what I'm doing next year so it doesn't seem practical to bring the contract with me. Is there any way of getting broadband in? As far as I know most are yearly contracts, if not more. Mobile broadband isn't an option as I would need a more secure service.

If I had my way I wouldn't bother until I'm more settled in a proper house (I just graduated this summer so am slowly growing out of 'student' mode). Also I don't even have a laptop at the moment so having a permanent net connection seems a bit useless and my housemate won't pay for half the bill as she's not bothered about net access so it's really more bother than I can be arsed with!

So just thought I'd try here to see if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks

bluemrchimp

Apparently 'Be Broadband' do a contract you can leave anytime with three month's notice. There's no minimum term. It doesn't look the cheapest but if work are putting the pressure on you to get it maybe they should pay??!

Not had any dealings with Be though - anyone?

And if you gave three months notice and you revoked that with a few weeks to go would they let you stay?

ladybolan

bluemrchimp wrote: »

but if work are putting the pressure on you to get it maybe they should pay??!

quote]

Sadly not, it's (in a way) expected by the company (business needs and all that jazz) that you are available. And you are paid extra which is expected to cover the expense of net access among other things. For it to be profitable I'd have to be placed on call at least once a month which isn't likely. If I had a laptop of my own I wouldn't mind paying for it as I'd get the use out of it.

Be Broadband doesn't seem to cover my area, and it is a bit pricey to be honest. But the no contract ties is ideal.

But thanks for the suggestion, there may be similar packages available with other providers so I'll have a look about

S_t_e_v_e

1 months notice:
http://www.plus.net/residential/broadband/

mymatebob

ladybolan wrote: »

bluemrchimp wrote: »

but if work are putting the pressure on you to get it maybe they should pay??!

quote]

Sadly not, it's (in a way) expected by the company (business needs and all that jazz) that you are available. And you are paid extra which is expected to cover the expense of net access among other things. For it to be profitable I'd have to be placed on call at least once a month which isn't likely. If I had a laptop of my own I wouldn't mind paying for it as I'd get the use out of it.

Be Broadband doesn't seem to cover my area, and it is a bit pricey to be honest. But the no contract ties is ideal.

But thanks for the suggestion, there may be similar packages available with other providers so I'll have a look about

It is either expected or not.
Is it a requirement of the job or just a "nice to have"

Unless you are going to make lots of extra money then there is no benefit to you and all the benefit to the company.

I wouldn't bother.

MichH

S_t_e_v_e wrote: »

1 months notice:
http://www.plus.net/residential/broadband/

I have been with Plusnet for over 4 years now and can tell you they do provide an excellent service. I can only remember 2 occasions when the service was down and that was only for a couple of hours, then we received an emailed apology anyway.

ladybolan

mymatebob wrote: »

It is either expected or not.
Is it a requirement of the job or just a "nice to have"

Unless you are going to make lots of extra money then there is no benefit to you and all the benefit to the company.

I wouldn't bother.

Well I guess it's a "nice to have". Reading through my contract it's not stated in black and white terms, more that lovely ambiguous clause "you may be required to work extra hours subject to the company's needs". But it is "expected" in unofficial terms. Which I suppose is the whole point here. I would make a bit of extra money, but the hassle of getting myself set up rather outweighs that aspect of it. Like I said, if I was settled in my own place and had my money situation normalised (a bit of money problems left over from uni I'm afraid :rolleyes: ) I'd shell out in a shot for it.

To be honest I think my position on this is entirely reasonable. So I'll just have to explain it to my manager.

mymatebob

Unless you went mobile broadband you would need cable or a bt line.
If the company are willing to cough up for any of those options then fine.
Otherwise I wouldn't even bother mentioning it until someone asks why you dont have broadband at home.
You can simply say I don't have a telephone line and leave it at that.
Up to them to make the next move.

ladybolan

Yeah I've pretty much given my manager the reasons why I don't have it now but that I'd be considering it after Christmas, only now that I've actually looked around I can see that it's not going to work at all. Come June I should be settled and have myself sorted out so it'll just have to wait until then