Broadband. Who's the Cheapest? Article Discussion Area

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BexTech wrote: »

yes, cable for broadband, but if you must have a landline phone service then go BT, cable is too expensive for phone service.

This maybe a stupid question but can you get Virgin Media broadband if you dont take their telephone service ? I pay seperately by credit card (repaid immediately, no interest) at no extra charge for the broadband since this is the only other way than DD. I refuse to EVER use DD if I do not absolutely have to. Of course I get charged £5 extra per month for paying the phone bill by credit card (again repaid immediately, no interest) and I am tired of it quite frankly.

If I can get away with only having broadband with them then all the better because I do find it is the best because of the speed. Can someone advise please ?

BexTech

If your VirginMedia is the cable variety (xNTL or xTelewest) then you don't need the phone line for the broadband as it isn't delivered over the phoneline like ADSL is.

I have cable broadband but don't have any phone line, dropped cable for phone around 6 years ago when they were dearer than even BT, then dumped that over 18 months ago too.

CannyAnnie_3

NicolaJH wrote: »

I've recently migrated over to newnet as I didn't want a new twelve month contract as I'll be moving around come september.

It's 12.95 a month with a 3GB download limit but they have other deals. Best thing though is that its a 3 month contract.

I have just found this link http://!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/pay-as-you-go-broadband.php

which lists all the broadband ISPs who work a pay as you go system. Might be useful.

Cheers Annie

CannyAnnie_3

Oh no, link didn't work. Will try again but if you put "newnet" into Google the second or third link down takes you to a watchdog site where you can compare all the services

northerngeezer

Hi I have read the main Broadband article and it says at the top that it is awaiting a major update since 25th January 2007. Anybody know when this will be done as I am looking to get the best and (cheapest) broadband/telephone deal.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

19hertz

Hi all

I recently moved house. The place has telephone points throughout.

I read Martin's 'Broadband and Phone Provider' article and was convinced - Talk Talk is the best all round.

So I rang Talk Talk and they said they needed an 'active BT line' to be able to see if I can use them.

I then rang BT - they said that there is a line at my house but they need to send an engineer out to reconnect it - free of charge. However, by doing so I would automatically be signed to a 12 month contract with BT.

So what do I do? Do I have to go for a year with BT before I can use Talk Talk?

Also Talk Talk told me that I need to have the line connected so that they could see if they could connect me. This means there is a chance that, even if I don't have to use BT, Talk Talk may not be any use.

I told you it was confusing and difficult.

Any suggestions or should I just bite the BT bullet (I can't stand BT).

Thanks in advance.

19 Hertz

BexTech

TalkTalk are dreaful.

For line rental it is wise to have this with BT, only BT allow you to router calls to cheap calls providers, TalkTalk and others can and do block access, so you pay more in the long run.

With a BT line rental, you can straight away route calls elsewhere and choose a broadband provider, it doesn't have to be BT.

For example you may want Primus Saver 2 who for no monthly fee offers free evening and weekend calls, they do also offer broadband, but you'll need to phone and enquire, or you could go with Virgin on their ADSL package, where you get broadband and a call package (line rental remains with BT) - http://www.virgin.net/allyours/broadband/unlimitedandtalk

There are many broadband providers that can be used over a BT line where you keep line rental with BT.

With a BT line as well as calls automatically going via Primus or Virgin or another provider, you can route calls via indirect carriers too, such as Call 18185 where daytime landline calls are 5p each, international calls from 0.5p and calls to mobiles 2p/min weekends and 6p/min daytimes, so you used one provider for you calls when free and another for cheaper calls outside what you can get free.

You don't have to stay with BT for a year before going with TT, but it will cost you a fair amount to buy yourself out of the 12 months.

ashleyfae

Can someone help please. I am going onto broadband at home for the first time and have decided to go with Sky Mid package. ( I haven't signed up yet though) I am really confused as to why I can get almost the same package with Sky for £5.00 yet BT were going to charge £17.00 for what seemed a very similar package. Sky are guving me the wireless router yet BT want £30.The only extra charge for SKY was £20 connection.

I have spoken to both companies and BT advised that the service level wass better with BT...for an extra £12.00 I should hope so!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can anyone enlighten me as to whether I am getting a good deal as it seems to good to be true.

BexTech

Yes the service level is usually better with BT, remember you are paying Sky for their TV service so that is subsidising the cost of broadband somewhat, they give a router away as they got them made for them at a reduced price and so they can use the same router for everyone and have the system set up so you can only use their router, make an installers job easier (no setting up to do), but does mean you can't use your own router should you wish too (Though people have found a way to hack out the required info and use their own, but Sky state in their terms you must use their router). Other ISP such as Virgin give away routers too (though not tied to their service, people often have them free and then sell them).

With Sky you are more likely to find higher contention as they cram in more people in the allocated bandwidth, so can mean at busy times access slowing right down.

Sky have put their own equipment in many of the exchanges, so don't have to pay BT so much, you would need to check that your exchange is covered by Sky's own equipment, otherwise you will be offered Sky's BT Wholesale product which is higher.

All that said Sky do have a fair few happy customers on their broadband, after initial problems.

They don't have any newsgroup access, so if you use newsgroups (which are very useful) then you can use free providers such as https://www.albasani.net or https://www.motzarella.org which are two I use from tme to along onlong with my ISPs's service, neither of these add adverts.

bingo32

Hi folks

if anyone else is in my position and waiting to sort out a new broadband provider...

I've just booked the BT internet anytime package - £1/month for the first month - should give me enough time to find the right broadband package - fingers crossed