Switching from TalkTalk to Sky?

Juneau333

Hi guys,

I am considering moving across from TalkTalk to Sky. I haven't really had an issue with TalkTalk's service, and the connection is stable, but I don't like the internet usage limit and I think the cost could be cheaper. We currently pay around £40-50 per month with TalkTalk on their Phone & Broadband package, and we have an 80GB internet usage limit. I already have Sky HD TV and so can benefit with their cheaper costs on a Broadband & Talk package, as well as getting the 6 month free offer (I think you have to pay the line rental though?).

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on switching over and if it has any other benefits. I would like the network to be faster and have done a couple of checks with the Sky Live chat support team who have asssured me the connection would be improved, but I always believed that the connection was dependent on the distance to the connection and the type of connection? If I were to move over to Sky, I would be going for the Sky Broadband Unlimited package.

I have heard a line stats test is good to find out how your connection is. I have done a line stats test on my router, and this is the data I get back. Can anyone help me with these statistics?

Vendor: Linksys
ModelName: WAG320N

--- DSL Information ---
DSL Driver Version: AnnexA version - A2pB023k.d21d
DSL VPI/VCI: 0/38
DSL Status: Showtime
DSL Mode: ADSL2
DSL Channel:
DSL Upstream Rate: 872 Kbps
DSL Downstream Rate: 3766 Kbps

Down up
DSL Noise Margin: 9.2 dB 11.5 dB
DSL Attenuation: 45.0 dB 24.6 dB
DSL Transmit Power: 0.0 dBm 13.0 dBm

Thanks for any help guys.

Moneysavingbird

Hi there,

Your speed looks about right to me for your line.... Your attenuation indicates a longer line and so slightly lower speed. it's unlikely that Sky or any other ADSL Broadband would be any faster.

Have you considered taking TalkTalk Plus? It's their Unlimited BB version.

Birdy

Juneau333

I haven't considered it really. I think the cost of Sky would be cheaper because of having the Sky TV already, and if that package comes with unlimited usage it does tempt me. If the change won't make much of a difference though, then I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle. I have done a Sky broadband test and that estimates an Access Line speed of 4mb-9mb, so I'm not quite sure really!

macman

Are you aware that you may not be able to go direct from a TT LLU service to a Sky LLU one? You will probably have to go back to BT on a free return to donor, but this requires a 12m line rental contract.
There have been stories that Sky were offering direct transfers, but very little hard evidence that this can actually be done in practice.

sunflower_2

We went from talktalk to sky - worst thing we ever did

couldnt wait for the year to be over so we could go elsewhere.

the sky broadband was like having dial-up again
truly awful

Juneau333

macman wrote: »

Are you aware that you may not be able to go direct from a TT LLU service to a Sky LLU one? You will probably have to go back to BT on a free return to donor, but this requires a 12m line rental contract.
There have been stories that Sky were offering direct transfers, but very little hard evidence that this can actually be done in practice.

Ah, really? So the chances are I would be going to a worse service?

macman

No, where did I say that? Sky LLU is obviously much better than TT-they are the lowest rated ISP in the UK. I was simply pointing out that you'd almost certainly have to go via BT first. Have you used the Sky checker to find out?

Juneau333

Apologies, I misread what you had said. Can you tell me the problem with going via BT? Is there a big difference in performance? Also, do you mean the availability checker? The only check I've done is to see if Sky is available in my area, where I got a predicted Access Line Speed of 4-9mb. On a speed test I'm currently getting about 2.55mb download speed with TT.

penrhyn

Plug your router into your master socket, reboot it and take your router line stats again.
With your 45db line you should be getting around 7 - 8mbps.

macman

Juneau333 wrote: »

Apologies, I misread what you had said. Can you tell me the problem with going via BT? Is there a big difference in performance? Also, do you mean the availability checker? The only check I've done is to see if Sky is available in my area, where I got a predicted Access Line Speed of 4-9mb. On a speed test I'm currently getting about 2.55mb download speed with TT.

The problem is that you have to take a year's line rental contract with BT, if they cannot switch you direct to the LLU network.

deklan99

Try this estimator - http://farina1.com/adsl/ , run by staffer of thinkbroadband.
Kitz's guide to optiminise connection is first rate - http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/socket.htm, penryhn's pointed in the right direction; at 3766 kbps undeperforming for sure.
LLU equipment used by Sky and TT basically the same, things your side could be improved however Sky (or indeed TT) could maybe tweak your noise margin down a bit to give you a tad more speed.
Sky's guide on switching from unbundled ISP eg. TalkTalk - http://www.sky.com/helpcentre/talk/switching-to-sky-talk/switching-from-an-unbundled-provider/