Questions please, how do I change internet suppliers

bundance

I've just ordered a brand new laptop cos my old computer is knackered.

As I want to change my internet connection from expensive modem to wireless, and this computer wont hold a wireless.

I have decided to take one of BT's unlimited downloads deals, including home phone line rental and calls.

1) Do I need to phone my existing internet supplier before I sign up to BT?

2) How do I use topcashback or quidco to order from BT

3) I currently use Talk Talk for my calls, and BT for my line rental - Do I need to phone either of them.

4) Can I use a "supplier switching company"? to do all the leg work for me.

5) Will they contact my old suppliers for me?

6) How do I incorporate quidco/topcashback into this, so it works out cheapest.

Many thanks

macman

Any computer can be fitted with a USB wireless adapter or a PCI wireless card unless it's truly ancient (pre-XP). Why is your modem 'expensive'?
You are simply adding broadband to your existing BT account, and (possibly) modifying your existing calls package with BT (it's a bit silly using TT for calls when a basic calls package is included in your BT line rental)
Get your MAC from TT and give it to BT when you sign up, to do that log into your cashback account and click through to BT, however you may or may not be able to get cashback as an existing account holder. Clear your cookies first or use a different browser.
No, you don't need to contact TT except to obtain your MAC, which you must use within 30 days.
There is no legwork involved, it's maybe 20minutes work online, no need to call anybody. BT will contact TT on your behalf, TT will contact you (to try and retain you).
Ensure that you are not already in a minimum term contract with TT.
PS: it's not your internet connection that will be wireless, that is your local area connection. Your internet is still supplied over the same phone line.
If all you want is a wireless router, they are available for less than a tenner on eBay.

bundance

Thanks

It costs me £15.30 to run my modem for 7.6kbps speed.
Virgin, my current ISP will charge me for a wrieless kit.
Yes, I plan to sack the talk talk for the calls.

I should have been more clear, I want calls, rental and broadband all in one package.
I cannot strike a happy medium when posting, I either post a long essay to say a few quick points, or my posts only have half the information in, sorry.
My medication affects my thinking abilitites and I make a lot of this type of mistake.

Get your MAC from TT and give it to BT when you sign up, to do that log into your cashback account and click through to BT, however you may or may not be able to get cashback as an existing account holder. Clear your cookies first or use a different browser.

Sorry to sound dumb, but do you mean a mac number from Virgin, my current ISP.
Are they likely to give me any high pressure sales? is it a hassle to get a mac number? will they give me it straight away?

Do you mean I don't have to contact talk talk about my calls?
Will the switching company do that?

I have been with virgin for isp and talktalk for calls for years, so there is no locked in contract.

Thanks for the wireless router. I am also getting a new computer for other reasons, I just didn't wanna ramble in the last post.
It's ancient. 736mb ram which cannot be upgraded.
It will probs be good to sell second hand, but I would need to find out how to wipe the hard drive (for another discussion in another site)

macman

So what you are saying is that you are currently on dial up. That is a ridiculous monthly price if so! In that case no MAC is required. A MAC is only for broadband transfers.
So sign up with the supplier you want, once you have a transfer date, give your notice to VM and TT, usually 30 days. Don't assume that becaue you have been with them for yerars that you are not in minimum term. Any change of tariff/package/residence with VM starts you on a new minmum term contract.
I suggest you do an exchange search on www.samknows.com for your LLU options, these will be the cheapest deals on your exchange. And they certainly won't be BT-one of the most expensive providers around.

bundance

macman wrote: »

So what you are saying is that you are currently on dial up. That is a ridiculous monthly price if so! In that case no MAC is required. A MAC is only for broadband transfers.
So sign up with the supplier you want, once you have a transfer date, give your notice to VM and TT, usually 30 days. Don't assume that becaue you have been with them for yerars that you are not in minimum term. Any change of tariff/package/residence with VM starts you on a new minmum term contract.
I suggest you do an exchange search on www.samknows.com for your LLU options, these will be the cheapest deals on your exchange. And they certainly won't be BT-one of the most expensive providers around.

Hi

No, I am not on dial up.
I have a speedtouch 330 modem from virgin ADSL.
I clicked on Samknows but there are no options to test llu.

macman

So if all you want is wireless, just go to eBay and buy an ADSL wireless modem/router. Something like the Netgear DG834G will cost you less than a tenner and connect to your new wireless laptop.
You cannot possibly be on a 7.6KBps service, that is even slower than dial up (56KBps)!
Go to samknows, then the exchange search page as already specified. Put in your phone number and it will bring up the results for your exchange, this will include the LLU options in the right hand lower column.
Since you are on ADSL, you do need to use a MAC to migrate.

bundance

macman wrote: »

So if all you want is wireless, just go to eBay and buy an ADSL wireless modem/router. Something like the Netgear DG834G will cost you less than a tenner and connect to your new wireless laptop.
You cannot possibly be on a 7.6KBps service, that is even slower than dial up (56KBps)!
Go to samknows, then the exchange search page as already specified. Put in your phone number and it will bring up the results for your exchange, this will include the LLU options in the right hand lower column.
Since you are on ADSL, you do need to use a MAC to migrate.

Hi I do need a new computer.
My speed is 7.6kbps, please see bottom right hand of screen shot when I right clicked my connections.

I went on Samknows.com and did an exchange search. No mention of LLU on page. Just three columns; exchange-my town, OLO - Exch code, and county-my county.
I clicked through onto the information page, which shows availability.
I dunno what LLU is, but the page also gives a list of operator presence.

thanks

macman

No screen shot attached.
Do a speed test from this link:
https://www.speedtest.net
samknows: you have to put your phone no. in to get a result. The exchange search results page has a list headed 'LLU operator presence'-that's what we are interested in.
Local Loop Unbundled.

bundance

macman wrote: »

No screen shot attached.
Do a speed test from this link:
https://www.speedtest.net
samknows: you have to put your phone no. in to get a result. The exchange search results page has a list headed 'LLU operator presence'-that's what we are interested in.
Local Loop Unbundled.

Screenshot of speed
http://s1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee447/starfish53/?action=view&current=speed2.jpg
Screenshot of speed (see bottom right hand of picture)
http://s1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee447/starfish53/?action=view&current=speed.jpg
Screenshot of llu
http://s1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee447/starfish53/?action=view&current=llu.jpg
Are those companies on the page the only ones I should be looking at?


Should I get the mac number before I do anything please or will uswitch get it for me?


Thanks for telling me what llu stands for it still sounds double dutch to me. Reading it but not understanding it.
Are those companies on the page the only ones I should be looking at?
If so why?

Thanks

penrhyn

The download speed you are getting, from the 1 st screenshot is 3.4 Mbps.
The speed indicated on the second is 7.6 Mbps, you seem to have a problem with distinguishing a K kilo 1000, from M Mega or 1000,000.

LLU simply means that other companies have their equipment installed in BT exchanges.
Fom the list of LLU operators Sky and 02 are probably the best ones to go for.
Obtain your MAC from your current ISP, its valid for around 30 days and give it to the one you go with.
Don't rely of switching sites to do anytning for you do the work yourself, the last vhing you want is to be stuck with a termination charge for not using the MAC correctly if at all.

macman

So your speed is not really so bad after all. Totally agree with Penrhyn, O2 or Sky are the obvious LLU providers for you, you do not need to pay £15.30 on Market 3 exchange.