Dial-up Connection

Sander

Having an old property in the wilds of nowhere, I have been informed that although my local exchange can handle broadband, the line connection to my house cannot handle broadband. It would appear that therefore I either need to up-grade the phone-line itself or find a cheap, but reliable dial-up connection. As this is a holiday home I clearly do want to pay more than I have to when not there. I have noted there are some free providers out there, are they any good. Any advice would be gratefully accepted. Cheers, Sander.

gavinp

How is the mobile phone reception ?

Mobile broadband may be an option - using an external antenna if necessary and this has the advantage of daily or weekly access rather than committing to a monthly payment.

For example: http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband/mbbpayperday/

The Ofcom sitefinder website may help to identify the nearest mast:

http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/

If you don't get a good signal with just the dongle, Solwise is one site who sell external antennas and other equipment to improve the signal:

http://www.solwise.co.uk/3g-intro.htm

Thanks

Gavin

macman

Who informed you that the line cannot handle broadband? BT, or another ISP?
Before you give up on broadband, I would do an exchange mapping process on https://www.samknows.com and see what results that gives at your address.
It is more likely to be exchange distance that is the problem, rather than line quality. How far away are you?

Sander

Thanks. Mobile reception v poor and unreliable, I'm afraid.

Sander

Thanks. I was informed by the ISP I was signing up to (Plusnet.) Their engineers had encountered the problem. We are half the three-quarters of a mile from the exchange, which can handle broadband as neighbours have it. I will try your suggested test.

macman

All exchanges can supply broadband, that distance should not normally be a problem, so there may be a particular issue with your line, have you made enquiries with your line provider?

iniltous

If your service is delivered by DACS, or a system such as LA30/TPON or similar then your line wont support BB, (even thought the exchange has it) there are still dial up providers but I didnt think any of them are free they tend to be 0845 type numbers and are specifically excluded from telcos with 'free' calls to 0870/0845 numbers
If your line is on DACS openreach would explore ways of moving you onto an ordinary line but not at any cost,
should the cost to make you an ordinary line be excessive you would be asked to contribute towards the 'deshare'

web_ferret

Sander wrote: »

Thanks. Mobile reception v poor and unreliable, I'm afraid.

Is that on all networks? Use the Ofcom site finder link posted above.