Broadband Provider-which One

swannie_girl

Sorry folks but I'm a complete novice when it comes to anything to do with the technics of internet. Problem... my daughter has just had a BT line installed and would love to have broadband only thing is that the Whitehead exchange hasn't got LLU yet and so she will have to go for the more expensive broadband. We don't know who is the best provider under the circumstances, for example 02 are fantastic for £7.50 month but I have been told that to go for their expensive package of around £18, 02 are poor. Does this apply to all the providers ie the speed from a ADSL MAX exchange can be poor in comparision to a LLU one or does it depend on the provider. By the way according to expected speed her line can get 6.5Mbps (not that you ever get this). Please, please take pity and HELP as I am utterly confused. :A

D.A.

Hi there,

Just to clear up a little of your confusion.

Ignore everything about ADSL Max - it's a moot point in this situation, as your exchange is ADSL Max-enabled. This will (theoretically) be quicker than a non-enabled exchange, but if your daughter has a very long line from the exchange, it won't be so noticeable.

You are right that your broadband could be slightly more expensive due to the fact that Whitehead is not LLU-enabled as yet. This could make it *marginally* slower, but to be honest, there are so many variables when it comes to broadband speed, it's unlikely you would notice much difference.

At the end of the day, it all depends on how much speed your daughter actually *needs*, and how much she is prepared to pay for this. There is another (long) thread somewhere on this board which discusses the various options available, which would be worth reading.

On a point of principle, I would ask you to not sign up for BT Broadband, due to their use of Phorm technology (Google it to see what I mean!). :-)

TrishaM

have a look at adsl24.co.uk, I haven't had any problems with them and the tech support is based in the UK with english (as a first language)speaking techies!

wacko911

If you can only get 6.5Mbps then the £7.50 O2 offer is pretty good deal (It's up to 8Mbps), roll in some £40 cashback from quidco and you have broadband for £4.10 a month. Was a better deal when quidco was doing £70 cashback!

swannie_girl

Would have loved to be able to get o2 for the £7.50 but the Whitehead exchange isn't enable for LLU so unfortunately back to basics with the more expensive broadband packages. The o2 package for a ADSL exchange is called o2 ACCESS and costs £17.13 per month or Sky at £17 and BT at £15.65.. I dont think daughter will go with BT as the previous post by D.A stated they use Phorm technology which we also do not agree with.

Many thanks to all who helped my confusion which is no mean task. Looks like it doesn't matter who you go with for reliability of connection, speed etc so next to consider is customer services. I know by experience o2 customer services are excellent so perhaps she will use them. Oh dear my little brain is very slowly dying with all these decisions especially when DD just to busy to check these things herself.

Trisha, I am looking into ADSL24 this morning many thanks.

D.A.

If you were being really evil, you should phone BT to tell them you're interested in their broadband service, let them do their wee spiel, then at the end tell them you're not interested at all because they're using Phorm.

swannie_girl

Ooooooooh what a devil you are and I am your assistant. You have just made my day. Wonder what they will say if I act stupid (not hard to do) and say I have heard about Phorm and wonder if they could explain the ins and outs of it. Should I give it a try?........ Im really so hard to coax.:rotfl:

Atasas

My two pence would go there! (be there)
bethere.co.uk/

SaveMeTheMoney

I have Sky broadband. That is about the limit of my understanding of all things techincial! I phoned them up and they sent me the wireless router! Sorry I can't be of any help!

jhp

BT Wholesale are the sole provider of Broadband on the Whitehead Exchange.

See: http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/NIWD

As you have realised because of this cheaper broadband deals will not be available to you.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/ is a good source to help you decide on a suitable supplier.

D.A.

jhp wrote: »

BT Wholesale are the sole provider of Broadband on the Whitehead Exchange.

Pedantic (but important) point, they are the sole provider of *wholesale* broadband, but this does not mean you can't choose other providers for your broadband service. All it means is that the other provider has to pay BT a fee for using BT's equipment.