Broadband. Who's the Cheapest? Article Discussion Area

richleeds

Hi

Ive just about done my 12 months with madasafish, following Martins recommendation. Im guessing due to the huge uptake at the time, then many of us are up for renewal. Anyone tried to renegotiate thier deal for the coming year, if so what have you got? Or is it now time to find a better deal elsewhere?

cheers
rich

Nony_2

I've been with Virgin Broadband for almost 2 years now, but I need to cut back on expenses (I currently pay £14.99 a month). My Broadband is essentially for staying in touch with my son who lives overseas (Dubai) and we use Skype regularly.
I also use the internet for chat sites (2) and emailing friends & relations, spending many hours on there (oh dear, it's SO addictive!)
Virgin now offer a monthly package for £9.99 - up to 1 Mega thingy! but it is on a 1 year contract.
I am considering going back to Dial-Up; at 1p per minute I would have to carry out my New Year resolution of spending much less time on the Internet, but would I still be able to use Skype? receive pictures within emails?
Are there any drawbacks (I know the cost would be astronomical if I still frequented the chat sites, but I resolve to stop going there.)
I would appreciate any guidance / advice from anyone.

BexTech

Emails with pics no problem, just slow to download them if they are a large file size.

Skype over dial-up is really pushing it, quality will be dreadful, if you are lucky the calls don't constantly break up.

theloft

NONY - NO NO DON'T DO IT! We have just spent Christmas at my daughter's who is still on dial-up as the line they have is unsuitable for Broadband and BT won't replace it. It takes ages even to load websites and downloading pictures etc is a farce. She tried to download a programming update for mp3 or ipod and it took 4 hours! Took me back to dial up with Fast4 which although it was cheap, compared to BB it is an absolute non-starter. Even downloading pages or threads on MSE was a real pain. I used to sit there for ages. If you go back you will regret it!! I'm with Primus and that is cheap but it is pay first and credits later. Can't you get one of the "free" ones, with Orange, Vodafone, SKY etc.??

Zebbie_2

Mike_by_the_Sea wrote:

Hi Zebbie

It sounds like they are giving you a real run-around. I would suggest that you contact Pipex customer services again and tell them that you are going to complain to ISPA or OFCOM regarding their non-supply of a MAC code. They are a member of both.

Extracts from Pipex Broadband Terms and Conditions.....

If you are in conversation with our Technical or Customer Service Teams your first course of action should be to ask to speak to a Team Manager, who will try to resolve your query there and then. If a Team Manager is unavailable, arrangements will be made for one to call you at the earliest opportunity.

In the event you remain dissatisfied with the solution or explanation offered we request you raise a formal complaint by writing to us, either by email to:

customercare@pipex.net

As a responsible company Pipex follows the guidelines of the UK Communications Industry regulator OFCOM. Pipex is also a member of the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) and abides by their Code of Practice as well. Please visit their site for more information.

If this doesn't do the trick, the links are:

ISPA - The link is http://www.ispa.org.uk/home/

OFCOM - The link is http://www.ofcom.org.uk/

For information, the extract from OFCOM is below

Migration Process
The process works by means of a migration authorisation code (“MAC”) which customers obtain from their existing provider and give to the new provider they have chosen. Customers need to follow three steps:

A customer wishing to change their service provider must first contact their existing service provider and request a MAC (customers should not request the service be ceased)

The existing service provider will send the MAC to the customer within 5 working days. The MAC is valid for a period of 30 days from the date that it is issued.

The customer must then present the MAC to the provider they wish to migrate to. The gaining provider will then process the request and inform the customer of the transfer date.

Good luck

Mike

Thanks for your response and advice Mike, just to let you know, I've received my MAC through the post today in a letter from Pipex after I sent a complaint by e-mail and by post.

Yey!

SO171NOT

The marketing bod from tiscali promised unlimited calls and internet with Tiscali WITHOUT paying ANY line rental to Tiscali or BT for £19.99 a month from Jan 1st as posted on this site and now they're not offering the deal! What a Con!:mad:

i'mTheOppositeOfBling

I've just found a really good deal with NTL for new customers at https://www.ntl.com

£10 per month (£15 connection fee if you order online) for unlimited 2mb internet. Its a special offer which runs out at the end of January.

Also worth noting, you get £50 cashback on Virgin.net if you're an Egg credit card user.

i'mTheOppositeOfBling

Nony wrote:

I've been with Virgin Broadband for almost 2 years now, but I need to cut back on expenses (I currently pay £14.99 a month). My Broadband is essentially for staying in touch with my son who lives overseas (Dubai) and we use Skype regularly.

<snip>

I am considering going back to Dial-Up; at 1p per minute I would have to carry out my New Year resolution of spending much less time on the Internet, but would I still be able to use Skype? receive pictures within emails?

Having tried Skype through dial-up, i can tell you its not very nice to use, as is doing anything else on the internet. Why not take advantage of NTLs £10 per month broadband offer? Its the cheapest broadband package i;ve found at the moment

Art_2

i'mTheOppositeOfBling wrote:

I've just found a really good deal with NTL for new customers at www.ntl.com

£10 per month (£15 connection fee if you order online) for unlimited 2mb internet. Its a special offer which runs out at the end of January.

Also worth noting, you get £50 cashback on Virgin.net if you're an Egg credit card user.

NTL's offer is for a year only then it goes up to £17.99 a month which is not a very competative rate. There are many good deals around for £14.99. Also I can't see any reference to £15 connection. The website states £25.

It's also worth remembering that NTL has a poor record for customer service. Maybe that's why they are making the special offer.

Regards,
Art.

espresso

Art wrote:

NTL's offer is for a year only then it goes up to £17.99 a month which is not a very competative rate.

However you only have to ring retentions and they will give that or an even lower rate to keep you sweet!