BT only exchange?

Denebola

Dear all

I've recently ordered broadband from O2 as I'm long since out of contract with BT. However, after contacting BT and getting my MAC key and then ordering O2, I was eventually told by O2 that BT would not allow them to rent the equipment in their exchange and therefore they were sorry but would have to cancel my order. I have had broadband with BT for over four years and now find that I'm stuck with them. Doesn't this mean they have a monopoly on this exchange and is there anything I can do about it?

Regards

Denebola.

PaulK_3

No it means no one else is interested in the exchange, BT will rent out exchange equipment to anyone willing to pay for it. What I would expect is happening here is that there is little interest from other people on O2 to go LLU at your exchange so financially it makes no sense for O2 to unbundle it yet as they would lose money every month.
Did you check SamKnows to see who is in your exchange before begining the whole MAC process?
http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php

iceburn

but O2 could provide her with the home access package that cost like £17.50 a month (a rebrand of BT) but is unlimited etc...

DatabaseError

I'm on O2 access...pretty good so far...

Denebola

I checked my phone number with O2 at the beginning of the order process and was told that I could only have the £17.50 option which is still cheaper by a large margin than BT £25 package. But even this £17.50 package wasn't available. I checked Samknows after I got my MAC code and can see that only BT provide internet from the Spilsby Exchange. This is very unfair and surely things must change!

diamonds

i had the same problem with my exchange as Sky were the only LLU offering, but my apartment is too high up
for the dish, I took a Orange mobile contract & got Unique
https://www.orange.co.uk/unique with a Nokia 6301 http://shop.orange.co.uk/shop/show/handsets/pay_monthly/all/all/all/unique_phone

This bagged me line rental/calls staying with BT for 18185 access ( current Orange broadband packages force you to Orange for calls &/or line rental calls ) & Broadband Unlimited for £5 a month - 40GB usage upto 8MB, 100 calls to international landlines, UK 01/02/03 landlines & Orange calls

the best thing is being on a rebadged BT Wholesale internet package means I dont suffer the way Orange unbundled exchanges do !

might not be ideal for you, but for me it was a godsend - £15 for minimum Orange package & £5 broadband

deklan99

Denebola wrote: »

I checked Samknows after I got my MAC code and can see that only BT provide internet from the Spilsby Exchange. This is very unfair and surely things must change!

It only means BT Wholesale are the only provider. Therefore any ISP which provides a service over BT's network is available to you including O2 who also do LLU. Some ISPs however won't provide any service at all if you are too far from the exchange, O2/Be in particular.
With under 3000 total subscribers I don't see any of the LLU operators moving in.

diamonds

on the flip side the o2 could make a killing on such a exchange....how large a percentage would flip to o2 for half price 8MB BB compared to BT Internet with speeds upto 24MB ? and I bet Virgin never hit there...sound investment, o2 best move skates before CPW realise, actually thats not like CPW at all given they tie you in to their calls

diamonds

cheapest unlimited broadband is Tiscali ( repackaged BT Wholesale product ) on your exchange, upto 8MB

£14.99 a month

Demon £17.99 8MB unlimited

diamonds

Post office line rental & broadband is a good deal £19.53

inclusive line rental – no need to pay BT
up to 8Mbps broadband1 and 5GB monthly downloads
free Netgear modem – simple to install
inclusive evening calls to UK landlines2
inclusive weekend calls to UK landlines and mobiles2 as well as our top 20 international destinations3


1Subject to availability in your area. The maximum speed is determined by your distance from the exchange and the number of people accessing the internet on the same exchange
2Conditions apply
3Our top 20 international destinations are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump2?catId=68600711&mediaId=87500739&campaignid=PI0077&intcampaignid=PI0077

Add unlimited downloads and a wireless router for only £4.89 more a month - Home Phone with Broadband Extra


http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump2?catId=68600711&mediaId=87500743

egarobar

Yes, I agree with Denebola that it is unfair. We live in rural Wales, and we and many of our friends/neighbours have had exactly this problem - e.g. SamKnows saying OK, TalkTalk saying yes we can, then finding out after 3 months that BT won't let them.

Rural exchanges are disadvantaged. Similarly, we aren't going to be able to get Free digital TV (EVER) apart from paying through the nose for a satellite service. Similarly, digital radio reception in the area is lousy. The list goes on.

I am taking action by writing to all the of*** I can find (oftel, ofcom, whatever). And I'll copy the letter to my MP, and the minister for whatever it is. If enough people make enough noise, maybe we can make someone think about our needs in rural places. Maybe one day we will even get a bus service!