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Broadband Access

I recently posted a thread about internet/broadband access at my holiday home. I have discovered that the Drumbeg exchange is only ADSL enabled and that BT will not allow other providers in. I have researched using Samknows and am going to try ThinkBroadband to see if I can find an alternative to BT. My only other hope is that if I combine my main home and holiday in a home in a package, I may be able to get a better deal. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Comments

  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,128 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 23 February 2010 at 6:27PM
    Drumbeg is (I'm guessing) the smallest exchange in the UK, with only 94 subscribers according to samknows. It will never support any LLU providers.
    You have plenty of alternatives to BT, you can use any non-LLU ISP you like. These will not be as cheap as the LLU's, but many are cheaper than BT.
    How about Plusnet Value (£11.99 on a market 1 exchange)? That's £4 cheaper than BT.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • Sander
    Sander Posts: 16 Forumite
    Thanks. I tried Plusnet Value who thought they could connect me. Unfortunately BT told them that they (P) could not use the BT exchange to install their equipment/ make a connection. Sounds like a monopoly to me; but Plusnet said they were unable to do anything about it. So I guess it is BT or nothing!
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,128 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sander wrote: »
    Thanks. I tried Plusnet Value who thought they could connect me. Unfortunately BT told them that they (P) could not use the BT exchange to install their equipment/ make a connection. Sounds like a monopoly to me; but Plusnet said they were unable to do anything about it. So I guess it is BT or nothing!

    This doesn't make any sense, as Plusnet do not use LLU, they connect you through BT Wholesale, so they don't have or need any equipment in the exchange. If BT can supply you with broadband on that exchange, then so should Plusnet be able to.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • Sander
    Sander Posts: 16 Forumite
    Having dug a little further, using Samknows, I have found that according to the Offcom Marketing Classification, Drumbeg is a Market One exchange, meaning BT are the only provider of broadband services. Presumably this has something to do with the exchange servicing 88 residential and 6 business. Is it worth pushing Plusnet further?
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,128 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 25 February 2010 at 6:04PM
    Sander wrote: »
    Having dug a little further, using Samknows, I have found that according to the Offcom Marketing Classification, Drumbeg is a Market One exchange, meaning BT are the only provider of broadband services. Presumably this has something to do with the exchange servicing 88 residential and 6 business. Is it worth pushing Plusnet further?

    I suggest you read my earlier post... you can use any supplier selling non-LLU broadband, Plusnet come into that category, as do dozens of others.
    All samknows is telling you is that BT Wholesale is the sole provider, but lots of other ISP's can supply you on the basis of reselling the BT Wholesale service.

    Edit: a bit of Google research indicates that BT are unable to provide any further internet access on this exchange due to 'a lack of ports'. So until they uprate the exchange it would appear that no-one will be able to provide you with internet access. Once they have upgraded, you can then pick any non-LLU provider.
    I suggest you speak to BT to find out what the situations is re the upgrading of the exchange.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • That's right, my exchange is market 1 and I am with aol (for my sins, lol). You can get a deal with most of the ISP providers, but sadly not their cheap widely advertised deals. Most come in at around £12-15 per month.

    It's only a game
    ~*~*~ We're only here to dream ~*~*~
  • Sander
    Sander Posts: 16 Forumite
    Thanks everyone. I guess if I can't get the broadband at the moment I'll have to soldier on with my "steam-driven" dial-up; at least that is saving some pennies!
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,128 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Speak to BT and get a date for the upgrade. Then go with Plusnet or another ISP.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,128 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
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