Best non-LLU deal

Sgt_Oddball

Hi,

our local exchange is still BT wholesale and is not unbundled. I know this restricts the deals I can get but I just want to double check what the best option is.

As it stands, it looks like the cheapest option is Plus Net at £11.99 per month (not including some initial discount plus cashback). This compares with BT Broadband Option 1 at £15.99 (talk & surf package).

Are there are any other options?

Coopdivi

If you visit this site and put in your details it will tell you which providers are available at your local exchange.

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/

Sgt_Oddball

Hi,

I've checked our local exchange and there isn't much choice. Restricted to BT and Plusnet. 'Be' is listed but when I go through to their website it says the services is not available in my area.

I guess Plusnet at £11.99 is the best option.

kwikbreaks

If the exchange is enabled for ADSL by BT (and they virtually all are) then you can get your broadband from most ISPs because they resell the BTw product repackaged to suit the market they are aiming at. There are a few LLU only such as Be but they are in the minority.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/search/package/basic.html is a good starting point. Don't base your choice just on price though as there is usually a good reason why an ISP is cheap and it isn't because they are a charity.

Sgt_Oddball

So just to confirm my understanding:

I have checked and my exchange is not unbundled and BT wholesale is the only provider. This allows me to get Broadband from BT and other companies who go through BT Wholesale on my particular exchange. These seem to include almost all major providers (e.g. Virgin, Talk Talk, O2 etc. etc.). However, because they still have to use the BT kit then I won't get the really good deals. All the rates I am getting still fall in the £11+ bracket. Does this sound right?

Is there anyway of getting a better deal or is this it?!

macman

Sgt_Oddball wrote: »

Hi,

I've checked our local exchange and there isn't much choice. Restricted to BT and Plusnet. 'Be' is listed but when I go through to their website it says the services is not available in my area.

I guess Plusnet at £11.99 is the best option.

You can use any non-LLU ISP you like, not just BT or Plusnet. But on an unbundled Market 1 exchange, Plusnet Value is probably the best deal you'll get at present. Bear in mind that this is a capped 10GB service and they do practice traffic shaping though.
Better than BT in every way, not just on price.

macman

Sgt_Oddball wrote: »

So just to confirm my understanding:

I have checked and my exchange is not unbundled and BT wholesale is the only provider. This allows me to get Broadband from BT and other companies who go through BT Wholesale on my particular exchange. These seem to include almost all major providers (e.g. Virgin, Talk Talk, O2 etc. etc.). However, because they still have to use the BT kit then I won't get the really good deals. All the rates I am getting still fall in the £11+ bracket. Does this sound right?

Is there anyway of getting a better deal or is this it?!

Yes, you are correct.
Mosts uppliers will be around £15. AFAIK Plusnet Value is the cheapest non-LLU service, especially with the 4 months free or Quidco deals.