Advice re getting wireless braodband

stars_bright

I have just cancelled our BT broadband package as it just wasn't working at all - I could connect to next doors wireless internet but not ours! I am now left with a decision of who to go to next and just want something that is relaible after all the problems I have had with BT. I also want to be able to connect 3 PCs wirelessly. Can anyone recommend a braodband provider who gives good service, rather than leaving you in endless queues on 0870 numbers?

espresso

Have you really cancelled? Ideally you should have asked for a MAC, which would allow you to migrate to another ISP with limited downtime.

If you could connect to your neighbours wireless network, it was presumably not encrypted. Was your network encrypted and did you enter the necessary encryption key?

You can use a wireless router on any ISP, so if you had problems with BT, you may well have similar problems with another provider.

penrhyn

If your line was at fault then changing ISP won't help as you will still be using the same BT line and exchange equipment, unless you go for a LLU ISP
What did BT do to try and resolve your problem?

Best ISP in the polls is Zen but its not cheap.

stars_bright

I wrote to BT to cancel my contract with them because if all the problems we had with them. We had phoned the helpdesk countless times and they could not expalin why the connection kept dropping off. BT phoned me today and said that they would cancel the broadband, they did not mention a MAC and I didn't know to ask for one. I don't know when the line will actually be cancelled but since we have been usng next doors for the last 5 months we are not really stuck without it! BT have tested the line and said it ws OK but I am not convinced by anything they say so am wondering whether we should go for one using a cable instead of the phone line. Having said that we haven't had any problems with the phone. Our network was encrypted but the key was saved on all the PCs, the proble was that it would be connected, then just drop. We tried putting the home hub in various places around the house to no avail. I just want to get something reliable next time

DonnyDave

stars_bright wrote: »

. I don't know when the line will actually be cancelled but since we have been usng next doors for the last 5 months we are not really stuck without it!

If you are using your neighbour's internet without his/her knowledge, then you could be liable for prosecution, despite his/her stupidity for not securing it.

stars_bright wrote: »

BT have tested the line and said it ws OK but I am not convinced by anything they say so am wondering whether we should go for one using a cable instead of the phone line. Having said that we haven't had any problems with the phone. Our network was encrypted but the key was saved on all the PCs, the proble was that it would be connected, then just drop. We tried putting the home hub in various places around the house to no avail. I just want to get something reliable next time

I your OP you say that you could not connect to your wireless internet. If it is a problem with connecting wirelessly, then there is no need to test the line!

You should connect, initially at least, your PC to your router using the network cable. If you can access the internet reliably using that method then that proves that the connection on the line if fine.

The most obvious thing that you can do when a wireless network fails is to change the channel (frequency) as it could be conflicting with other wireless networks in your area. Did you do this?

When you get broadband, you can use it wired or wireless or a combination of both. Some providers give you a wireless router which in a way you are paying for anyway. You can buy a router independently of the ISP you use. Thus, you don't necessarily need to get service from a "wireless broadband" ISP.

stars_bright

Our neighbour is aware that we are using their broadband and is quite happy about it. We did do the initial set-up using a cable to the home-hub and we tried changing the channel but this did not help. We even tried connecting one of the PCs to the homehub with a cable and even that did not work. We thought it was a problem with the hub and BT did replace it but that did not help either. I am hoping that it is just both the hubs at fault rather than our line. We have been looking at the Sky £26 offer for broadband, TV and phone but when we tried to sign up to it on the website it went to a page where the price chnaged to £32. Anyone know why this is? I don't want to have to phone them on a 0870 number, none of the freephone numbers psoted on here seem to work and they have not replied to my email. getting nowhere fast!