Pipex problems

NEH

My mum would like broadband. At the moment she is paying on average £25.00 for an anytime phone package and line rental with Pipex. She was with Toucan but when Pipex took them over the price went up. I would like my mum to give up Pipex as she had terrible problems with them the other day the upgrades department who were very reluctant to give her the router details and what was included in the package and my mum was left with the impression that because she is older they think she is stupid and naive when it comes to computers. They were quite rude to her and I have since tried to sort the matter out with Pipex but they no longer have email addresses you can use so tahat is another reason I would like mum to leave them because they don't seem to like you contacting them.

Anyway I was looking into O2 broadband and whether or not that was worth a shot but that would mean mum having to get a seperate phone package. Is this the bext way to do it or would it be better to get an all in one package....Ideally we would like her to have a 12 month contract as this is her first shot at broadband and she doesn't want to feel tied in for 18 months if it can be helped...

I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks in advance...

NEH

Anyone?

macman

O2 is good value if you can get in on an LLU basis on her exchange. Don't bother with the O2 Access service which is just a resold BT Wholesale product. Also you get a five pound discount if you can register an O2 mobile when you order.
A BT Anytime and line rental package will cost around £17, so if you can get O2 at the discount rate of £7.34 it will be around what she is paying Pipex now, which is very expensive.
This assumes that she is out of contract with Pipex.
The best broadband deals will be one of the LLU services, which one can you get on her exchange? Have a look at samknows.com

NEH

Thanks Macman...

It says talktalk on that site....she wouldn't got back to talk talk though as a few years ago they made her life hell with one thing or another and their lack of customer service...

And yes after looking further it's O2 access...hmm looks likes mum's stuck with BT then and an 18 month contract...

macman

Not necessarily. What other options does she have on LLU?
Plusnet is another option, that would cost £16.94 for broadband and Unltd Weekend and Evening package if you are on a Market 3 exchange. However it's also an 18 month contract.
TT has greatly improved in the last couple of years by most accounts.

NEH

By LLU it just said Talk Talk....

Had a look at Talk Talk and it definately comes up as cheapest at about £22.00 however again it is an 18 month contract....

Is it a case of I just have to accept that 12 month contracts aren't in existance anymore?

macman

There are plenty of 12 month contracts. BT and TT are the main exceptions. However if TT is your only LLU option and she won't consider it, then you're limited to BT Wholesale services resold which are all pretty much the same (mor expensive) price and package.
I would consider separate packages if TT is ruled out.

NEH

macman wrote: »

There are plenty of 12 month contracts. BT and TT are the main exceptions. However if TT is your only LLU option and she won't consider it, then you're limited to BT Wholesale services resold which are all pretty much the same (mor expensive) price and package.
I would consider separate packages if TT is ruled out.

Thanks I have looked on the comparison sites and most seem to be 18 month contracts such as plusnet which I believe are BT aren't they? Virgin and Madasafish offer 12 month contracts but Madasafish are BT aren't they? I don't think Virgin would be any good as it would involve changing the line which is something we would rather avoid....she leaves in a restrcited area when it comes to Broadband. Talk talk I think would be ruled out because of the 18 month contract...

What separate packages would you suggest?

macman

Yes, Madasafish is owned by BT. So you don't want to go with TT or anyone owned by BT?

NEH

macman wrote: »

Yes, Madasafish is owned by BT. So you don't want to go with TT or anyone owned by BT?

I'm going to talk to mum tonight, I would suggest that she go with TT but it's the 18 month contract that'll put her off....

What are the reviews on madasafish?

BT for a 12 month contract we were quoted £29 odd....per month including line rental i believe...

macman

Madasafish price is about the same as BT at £29. As already advised, it's a BT company, so that's not surprising. All the other services on your exchange than TT are BT Wholesale, so the package and prices will all be similar., the same as you are paying now or more.
The only way you will get a cheaper package is to go for the sole LLU provider, which is TT at about £22 with an Anytime phone package.
If not then just go for a separate broadband package (try Namesco, bb packages starting at £10.95 http://www.names.co.uk/adsl.html) and a BT line rental and Anytime tcalls package at around £16. That would still mean you are paying only marginally more than the currrent £26, but with broadband included.