BT vs NTL? Advice needed please...

ultracheapskate

My BT BB contract ends in about 30 days, and was wondering whether I should sign a new contract, or upgrade. I am on the very basic package at the moment 2gb allowance, and regularly exceed this limit (downloading etc). However it was only this month that they sent an email, saying I will be charged in future for going over my limit. So ideally I need to go on an unlimited package.

I have seen NTL's new offers and they seem to be much cheaper than BT. I was probably going to choose the £10/month package, for 2gb unlimited usage. I have been with Telewest before and never had any problems (although when I moved house they didn't cover the area . Since they have merged with NTL, do NTL provide a similar quality of service?).

When I spoke to the lady at BT she offered a discount package - £21/month for 6Mb broadband, unlimited package (it comes with free router, antivirus, evening calls etc, but I have those already). Is that a good deal, or would I be better of going with NTL? Can I push BT for an even better deal?

The lady also argued that NTL isn't truly unlimited as they apply a "fair usage policy", but there was no mention of this in their terms and conditions. I remember reading that heavy users can be penalised (on these forums); so was the lady at BT telling the truth?

Please guys can you help me out with these questions - thanks!

fallenwiccan

BT dont actually have an unlimited service, if you're only just going over 2Gb in downloads then there next pacakge up should more than cover you (the packages are per amount downloaded not per speed, we have high download limits with them but because of our distance to the exchange dont even get 2meg in speed)

all companies run fair usage policies (i think even AOL do but you have to have stupid high downloads for tehm to complain) i know BT definately do because I know one of the people who sends the letters out and disconnects persistant offenders.

NTL have been the subject of many complaints through the tv show Watchdog for their appauling CS and as a point of fact if you're having problems with calling India when you ring BT ask to be transfered to England, they will do it, there are plenty of call centres over here and the main broadband one is in the north of england.

hope i've helped a little

ultracheapskate

fallenwiccan wrote:

BT dont actually have an unlimited service, if you're only just going over 2Gb in downloads then there next pacakge up should more than cover you (the packages are per amount downloaded not per speed, we have high download limits with them but because of our distance to the exchange dont even get 2meg in speed)

Thanks for your help. You are right - just checked BT homepage, and there doesn't appear to be an unlimited service. I assume she was referring to option 3, with the 40gb usage limit. She said it was unlimited, which probably is strictly not true (although it's difficult to exceed 40gb). As for the speed of 6Mb, I meant this is the maximum speed I can get from my exchange (I can't get the 8Mb - their maximum speed). I definitely need option 3 as my monthly usage often exceeds 10gb (i'm surprised it took BT over 11 months before they issued me with a warning).

I guess £21 per month is not too bad for "unlimited" 6Mb service from BT. I'm also tempted by NTL's offer of £17 for 4Gb service, but the reviews on this forum (for NTL) are rather mixed. If only Telewest covered my area:mad:

Idiophreak

as said above, NTL offer the worst customer service ever.
I'd avoid them like death if you can.