Can I escape from BT....?

LavenderBees

....or do they have me by the short & curlies? :eek:

I've been desperately trying to make my brain grasp the exchange information in my area....on Sam Knows, my exchnage has no LLU providers and has what looks ominously like a warning that I'm stuck with BT - "This exchange has BT wholesale as the sole provider of broadband services"

Does this mean what I think it means? Sorry, but I'm a complete neanderthal where technology is concerned and have shied away from this for years...

I've been seeing broadband ads for cheap broadband (e.g. Plusnet) and have no idea if I could use something like this instead of BT.

I've been paying £14.60 line rental and £22.50 for BT option 2 per month, which seems excessive when I see what is being quoted on threads on this forum. If I am stuck with BT, is there any negotiating tactics that anyone can suggest? I can't imagine life without the internet, so cancellation won't be an option unless I have somewhere to go.

many thanks for any help anyone can give me.

xx

daleski75

If BT is the sole provider then unfortunately no unless VM can provide cable to your home, however as Plusnet is owned by BT this could be done but not one which needs LLU (be,o2,sky).

GunJack

all the exchange info means is that you are stuck with BT line and broadband EQUIPMENT IN THE EXCHANGE.

You can have your broadband and calls provided by any company that uses BTWholesale to provide their service, so plusnet, TT, etc will be some of the cheaper options for you, or Zen, AAISP and the likes for a better customer support & technical service but at a higher price.

Whoever you choose, though, you'll still be subject to exchange capacity and BT's awful Dynamic Line Management system If you had a LLU option, this wouldn't apply.

LavenderBees

No, we have no cable either according to the exchange information. I didn't realise that BT owned Plusnet. I've been on their website and they seem to be able to provide more for £10 less per month. Strange that they undercut themselves so to speak.

Does anyone know any other providers I could take a look at?

daleski75

Here you go just enter your details and see what you get back

http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/

GunJack

Yes, see my post above. Pretty much every broadband provider has a BTW-provided option in their product range, whether they do LLU or not. If price is your main factor, look at a price comparison site for a package that suits your phone & net useage, then go to those company's sites and bang your number into their availability checker......

macman

Plusnet's cheap £6.49 rate only applies if you are on a Market 3 exchange-yours will be Market 1 if no LLU options.
But you'll still do better with almost anyone than BT. There are dozens of other BT resellers.
BT own Plusnet, but it is run independently.

LavenderBees

GunJack wrote: »

all the exchange info means is that you are stuck with BT line and broadband EQUIPMENT IN THE EXCHANGE.

You can have your broadband and calls provided by any company that uses BTWholesale to provide their service, so plusnet, TT, etc will be some of the cheaper options for you, or Zen, AAISP and the likes for a better customer support & technical service but at a higher price.

Whoever you choose, though, you'll still be subject to exchange capacity and BT's awful Dynamic Line Management system If you had a LLU option, this wouldn't apply.

Oh...I'm starting to have a lightbulb moment! Just a teeny shaft of light, though.:D

I live in a rural village so maybe should be "grateful" I have anything? :mad:

Is TT Talk Talk...only heard bad things about them, I'm afraid. Not heard of Zen etc but will investigate .

But this has given me hope of beng able to negotiate a better deal with BT or move on to someone else. :T

daleski75

TT is indeed Talk Talk and well you hear good and bad things about any company based on peoples different experiences.

Check out uswitch first and this should give you an indicator of what companies can provide you an internet service.

LavenderBees

That's fab, Guys, thanks so much for your prompt responses. I'm looking for cheaper but also decent service - in other words, value for money.

I'm off investigating...only 17 options beng returned on Uswitch but that's more than I thought I had an hour ago.

Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. Much appreciated :T

xx

daleski75

Good luck and let us know how you get on and of course what you find.