Broadband

Babbler

Hello,

Moving home soon and was wondering if anyone knew of a boradband service that doesnt require 12 month contract and is any good.

Pipex would not move my account and allow me to cancel even though Ive been with them 3+ years - Id have to set up new account and be bound to 12 months again! How silly is that?

chilli_dog

Virgin don't do twelve month contracts but im not sure how they compare against pipex.

https://client.virgin.net/productpicker/register?buspart=27

Might be worthwhile getting this post moved to internet access on the telephones board

DanK_3

I was also with Pipex for about the same amount of time and the reason for this is the charges BT make for activation at the new property. Some ISPs like Zen do offer a moving service where they pick up some/all of the costs. However, I think this may be restricted to you having been with them a certain amount of time or will stay with them. Depending on how soon it is before you move you might be able to migrate to them (for free) and then do the move. Depends if you are then happy to stay with them. See this page for more details:

http://www.zenbroadband.com/zenbroadband.aspx?page=494

After being with Pipex I actually went with Virgin too because at the time it really was just a one month contract and I didn't know how long I would be in my rented accommodation. They paid the activation fee to BT and even if you cancelled you didn't have to pay this back. I think they changed this though last year and you are now liable to pay back the activation fee if it's been less than 12 months.

After moving yet again I went with Freedom2Surf who offered just a 1 month contract on the Cascade (Home and Plus) product where the activation fee is waived if you stay for 3 months using the same BT line. Unfortunately I couldn't recommend the service as it sometimes runs very slow at peak times compared to previous providers. However, it may work out better to do this for 3 months and not pay the £50 activation and then migrate out for free. The home product is £20 per month so you would get 3 months service for £10 more than paying just the activation fee alone elsewhere and could then move on by migrating for free elsewhere if you're not happy. See this page for more details:

http://www.freedom2surf.com/adsl/homeuser.php

Obviously deals and terms are changing all the time so check out as many other providers as you can but I found this to be the best deal back in April for a short contract which included the activation fee. Also check out ADSL guide for good advice. Check the message boards of any potential ISP you may go with to see what the users actually think of it.

http://www.adslguide.org.uk

Hope this helps.

Dan

happyhunter

Don't be misled when company say they don't tie you into 12 months contract and think you can leave without penalty within the first year.

Virgin - no contract, no connection fee, but if you leave within 12 months you pay penalty of approx. £60.

Plusnet - no contract, no connection fee, but there is a penalty if you leave within FIVE years!!

Most economical one would be Freedom2Surf - no contract, no connection fee, but penalty if you leave within 6 months. (or 3 months if you take up a higher package)

cozzie

I have newnet which gives you the option of either paying annually at the equivalent of £11pm, or pay monthly at £13pm.

http://www.newnet.co.uk

goldenbolux

theres lots of us e=with idnet
£17.99 for 8 meg line with a 30g limit
and there isnt a better company in the country with better cust service
they have other cheaper options too

http://www.idnet.net/broadband/default.jsp

hechizero

Zen do one month contracts for all their "Home" products. They are more expensive than many, but their service is well renowned. They also do free migrations. May be worth a look.

http://www.zenadsl.co.uk/athome.aspx

Chriswil

hechizero wrote:

Zen do one month contracts for all their "Home" products. They are more expensive than many, but their service is well renowned. They also do free migrations. May be worth a look.

http://www.zenadsl.co.uk/athome.aspx

I second Zen. Not the cheapest, but unlimited service, and I've never had a problem - even downloading >50Gb per month!

dazed

happyhunter wrote:

Virgin - no contract, no connection fee, but if you leave within 12 months you pay penalty of approx. £60.

I have started and stopped with Virgin twice and never had this issue ever.

happyhunter

Virgin's penalty fee (i.e. repay the connection charges) is for all new connections after June/July 2005.

The OP said he's moving home - that means he will need a new connection.

I assumed your case is either for a new connection before June 2005, or a migration in/out with ADSL already enabled on your phone line.

dazed

happyhunter wrote:

Virgin's penalty fee (i.e. repay the connection charges) is for all new connections after June/July 2005.

The OP said he's moving home - that means he will need a new connection.

I assumed your case is either for a new connection before June 2005, or a migration in/out with ADSL already enabled on your phone line.

none of the above. 2 houses no adsl enabled new connections and disconnected with no probs with virgin.