Best Broadband to change to?

Lifeisbutadream

Sorry if I am being really stupid, but I simply do not know where to start, so rather than reading other threads, I thought I would start one with specific questions, so I am sorry if this has been covered elsewhere:

I am currently with Tiscali (Talk Talk) and have been since the year dot.

I thought I paid £14.99 a month, but have just had a phone call from Talk Talk to tell me that because I am such a good customer they can now do it for £18 a month:cool: - when I queried this apparantly it went up to £20+ VAT when Talk Talk took over, only I didnt know that.

Anyway, I am thinking now is the time to move on and get a better deal, but I just dont know what to do and how it will effect me?

1. Can I just find a new Broadband provider? are there any good deals at the moment? anyone I should avoid?

2. Can I keep my current email address?

3. How do I swap? I cant really be without internet access because of my business.

4. I have a wireless router - is that all I will need?

5. I am also with BT for my two phone lines - is it worth me changing the whole package? I have always stayed away from doing this as I just dont understand how it works!

Thank you in anticipation..

cbrpaul

If you have had your package change by talktalk chances are you have automatically been placed on a new 18 month contract !!!

So unless you pay the £70 "early leaving/contract fee" you cant move away for another 18 months !!

Lifeisbutadream

cbrpaul wrote: »

If you have had your package change by talktalk chances are you have automatically been placed on a new 18 month contract !!!

So unless you pay the £70 "early leaving/contract fee" you cant move away for another 18 months !!

Well the person I spoke to was trying to do it cheaper for an 18 month scontract, so I am presuming that my contract has finished..

It was taken over by Talk Talk ages ago, so hopefully my contract will have ended anyway. I dont like how sneaky they have been though!

cbrpaul

In short i am in a simialr position as you,

I have found only BT and in alot of cases Sky offer a no fee connection charge !!

Most or all of the others charge as talktalk is LLU ( their kit in the exchange)

If you go with Bt , 12 month contract , free conection ( provided you got an old BT line present and intact) you can pick and chose your BB provider more or less, then after the 12 months with BT you can move to another phone provider for free as most will take over a Bt line for free !!

kwikbreaks

The ISP being LLU will make no difference and any migration should be free although there will doubtless be a minimum contract term.

It's where the phone line itself is LLU that there are problems and the OP says his line is still BT.

The best ADSL providers for performance and download allowance are both LLU - Be and Sky. They are not available everywhere though so the exchange needs checking - http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php

O2 use the same network as Be and will be cheaper at the cost of a more restrictive service. For many people that won't matter though.

cbrpaul

i have called , Post office and Bethere for phone , all have quoted between £86 - £130 to move from Talktalk LLu to them !!!

So any LLU migration is NOT free !!!

dazza.mk

No connection fee with Plusnet if you take a 12 month contract (they can transfer your phone and broadband via an online order)

Just moved myself after Talk Talk were screwing about/

Lifeisbutadream

Sorry but what is LLU and ISP?:o

macman

cbrpaul wrote: »

i have called , Post office and Bethere for phone , all have quoted between £86 - £130 to move from Talktalk LLu to them !!!

So any LLU migration is NOT free !!!

You are quoting the charge for a new line provision, not for a migration. It's not possible to go from one LLU direct to another, you need to go back to BT on a return to donor. This is free, but requires you to take a 12m line rental contract. Once you are back on BT, you can then sign up with the ISP of your choice.
Sky is possibly the only provider who will offer you a direct LLU to LLU transfer.

Internet Service Provider
Local Loop Unbundled

cbrpaul

uh ho and now we get into " what is classed as a new line " scenario !!!

Lets not go there AGAIN !!!!

macman

Sorry? A new line is what it says it is-a new or reconnection, probably with a new number (doesn't have to be a physical new line install if the cabling already exists).
A migration is simply a switch of ISP/telcom provider on the same line.
You don't need a new line or need to incur any charge to move from TT LLU, but you will almost certainly have to go via BT first.