Sky or PlusNet

TomsMom

After mega problems with Virgin about my Virgin National phone/broadband package, I now need to find a new provider for my line rental, calls and broadband.

I'm thinking PlusNet or Sky as they seem to have reasonable deals at the moment, much better than what Virgin want me to pay. I don't have Sky TV and wont be having it and I'm not in a cable area, I'm in an IP Stream area.

Any feedback on either provider would be very much appreciated.

Idiophreak

Plus Net are generally pretty good, plenty of communication, easy to get through on the phone etc. I've had a few problems with my line speed dropping off, though. They make you jump through a million hoops before you can report it (as do most providers) then say "oh yeah, we hadn't updated our system..." and fix it. Quite frustrating, but not sure they're any worse than any other provider.

TomsMom

Thanks Idiophreak. I've just been checking availability on their websites and it looks like my area can't get Sky Unlimited which was the package the deal was for at £5 pm for 12 months plus line rental. I can only get their Connect package which is £17 pm plus line rental which takes it out of the equation I think .

Looks like PlusNet are top of the list at the moment then.

penrhyn

What exchange are you on Tomsmum?

macman

Correct-you don't want Connect at any price.
Bear in mind that LLU to LLU transfers can be difficult or impossible (assuming that you are on O2 LLU at present).

TomsMom

penrhyn wrote: »

What exchange are you on Tomsmum?

Barmouth exchange, I've done the checks on SamKnows and my exchange only has BT Wholesale ADSL and ADSL Max. Virgin told me that it's an IP Stream area (but I don't trust anything they say anymore unfortunately) and that it's expensive to provide the service and are losing money on contracts in these areas so can't offer discounts.

I've checked with Sky, PlusNet, Post Office and Tesco. Sky can offer the Connect service so no deals on that but PlusNet is coming out pretty good and I've checked with them and they've confirmed a line rental, evening and weekend talk and broadband package with half price on the broadband for 12 months. It's coming out at £182.01 for 12 months if I pay 12 months line rental in advance.

Virgin want £403.92 for a Talk Unlimited, broadband and line rental package. Because my husband died part way through the contract and the contract was in his name they wont continue it and say I must take out a new contract with them and that's the price they're quoting.

TomsMom

macman wrote: »

Correct-you don't want Connect at any price.
Bear in mind that LLU to LLU transfers can be difficult or impossible (assuming that you are on O2 LLU at present).

Sorry Macman, I don't know what O2 LLU is (you're talking to a bit of a numpty here ). Do you mean O2 as a provider?

aliasojo

I'm with Plusnet TM. I'd be lying if I said my time with them has been completely trouble free but then again, I don't think I ever had trouble free internet from anyone.

I really appreciate not having to deal with some foreign call centre so they win bonus points from me on that score and any issues I've had have been dealt with promptly so I cant really complain.

Son went with Sky and rues the day.

macman

TomsMom wrote: »

Sorry Macman, I don't know what O2 LLU is (you're talking to a bit of a numpty here ). Do you mean O2 as a provider?

Local Loop Unbunbndled.
If you are not on O2 Access, then you are on an O2 LLU service.
O2 Access is non LLU-just a resold BT Wholesale service.

TomsMom

macman wrote: »

Local Loop Unbunbndled.
If you are not on O2 Access, then you are on an O2 LLU service.
O2 Access is non LLU-just a resold BT Wholesale service.

I do know that BT Wholesale is the sole provider of broadband services round here, this is the page from Sam Knows with info on the exchange.

Does this mean there may be problems? You've got me worried now.

macman

So you are on a Market 1 exchange with no LLU providers.
Ignore my earlier refs to O2, I was getting confused with another thread-you are on Virgin National, which is also a resold BT Wholesale service.
You will not get the cheap Plusnet £6.49 tariff on a Market 1 exchange. it'll be £12.99.
http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/products/low_cost_areas.shtml