Which broadband provider should we go for?

pinkduvetdiva

In September two friends and I will be moving into a student house. Hopefully we'll be staying there for the remainder of our degrees (2 years) and we're trying to work out who we should go with for our broadband. Ideally we'd like unlimited access and obviously a reliable service, but there's so much choice!
Many thanks in advance.

macman

Do an exchange search on www.samknows.com for your LLU options, these will be the best deals.
Is there a BT landline already installed in the property though? If not, that will be your first requirement, unless you opt for VM cable service.

pinkduvetdiva

Thanks Macman. I've just asked one of the previous tenants about the BT line, and I'm still waiting to hear from her. In the meantime I'll look at that link. Thanks again.

ETA: I've done a postcode search, and come up with this:

The following services are available in your location:

• BT Wholesale ADSL
• BT Wholesale ADSL Max
• BT Wholesale WBC (21CN)
• BT FTTC
• AOL LLU
• O2 / Be LLU
• TalkTalk (CPW) LLU
• Sky Broadband / Easynet LLU
• Tiscali LLU
• Tiscali TV (via Tiscali LLU)
• Orange LLU (Formerly Wanadoo)

Now we will be bringing Freeview, so no need for Sky. We all have Orange mobiles, so would that be a good option?

bod1467

Orange might be a reasonable price, but if you have any issues then their customer service (apparently) is shocking. Also they're back to using the BT network, so unlimited will be subject to a fair usage policy that makes the term a bit of an oxymoron.

For truly unlimited then BE is probably your best option, but they won't be the cheapest.

macman

You don't need to be a Sky TV subscriber to have Sky phone or broadband.
But of that list, O2 is the obvious choice, especially if you can get the o2 mobile discount.

bod1467

The O2 FUP isn't that great from what I know, if unlimited is really important. O2 LLU actually uses the BE LLU network, but it is managed differently within the network.

Note: she (massive assumption here! :rotfl:) said they have Orange mobiles, not O2. (Although you can get an O2 SIM-only deal that will more than pay for itself based on the discount you get from O2 for broadband by having one).

macman

You don't need to own an O2 mobile to get the discount. A friend/family no. can validly can be used.

pinkduvetdiva

Note: she (massive assumption here! :rotfl:)

You assumed right (at least, last time I checked! :rotfl:)
OK, I've checked on the BT website and found out that there is no phone line installed at the address we're moving to, so we'll have to sort that out too.

By the way, LLU? FUP? *baffled, dazed and confused:p*

macman

Local Loop Unbundled. Fair Usage Policy.

hareng

LLU go for BE a bit dearer than the owners O2 packages which have gone down the pan this year.

Hang on a moment, since you are downloading lots, playing online games, watching real time TV etc being students have a look at the FTTC companies offering this service. I am with webtapestry and currently £4 less than stated price on this list lifted from Thinkbroadband forums. Wont let me put link in, sorry.
BT blantantly say Infinitty is only available with them which is only a 'brand' name, there are at least 22 other providers i am on one with separate BT line payed to the phone provider.
Some will be as good as unlimited off peak but may have monthly cap. BT do penalise peer to peer but is an 18 month contract leaving you without for 6 months.
So many things to have a look at.

As above take note of FUP read the small print which is often well hidden!
You as probably 90% of population think great price, what about the side effects and poor service or lack of! Help desks in India are as good as worthless reading from scripts, 10mins later back to square one.

bod1467

That depends on whether FTTC is available on that exchange. It certainly isn't on mine, and there isn't even finger-in-the-air date for it.