Expensive broadband in Scotland

rai78

We live in Perthshire which is in central Scotland. Our problem is getting cheap broadband as BT appears to have the monopoly. We're currently paying around £50 a month; £15.45 line rental, £31.10 unlimited broadband and free calls anytime (we've found this works out cheaper than just weekend and evening calls as we make a lot of our calls in the day), plus £3ish on other calls. I've tried a few other providers but none provide broadband for where we live. I've lost the will to go through any more providers and wondered if anyone out there knew of a broadband and phone company which can supply to central Scotland and would cut down our costs.

Gordon_Hose

Which town/village do you live in?

Which ISP's have you already tried?

VisionMan

Have you tried the Samsknows broadband availability checker?

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/broadband_checker

And have you ever tried to negotiate a discount on your BB contract at renewal?

notbritishgas

OP you will be able to get Plusnet Unlimited for £16.99, I am presuming as you say BT has the monopoly that you are not in the Plusnet low cost area at £9.99.
This is just a resold BT product.

You will then have to pay BT for your Anytime calls, about £5? plus Line rental. But it will still work out cheaper than what you are paying now.

You could save even more by paying BT for a year upfront on their Line Rental Saver scheme.

Edit: Just to clarify, BT Retail do not have the monopoly, you can get broadband from any of the many Bt resellers.
I think what you mean is that your exchange area is too small for any of the LLU providers like Talk Talk to bother putting their equipment in.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

if you can get Plusnet, then you can get the full package, BB + phone, £22.98 for first year, then £26.99

Link.

macman

As above, maybe no LLU options (samknows will reveal all), but dozens of BT resellers.
Plusnet is the obvious one, but there are many others, all cheaper than your current crazy price. You must be on an old legacy tariff, as BT's unlimited broadband costs £26.
You can also save £46pa by opting for Line Rental Saver (or the Plusnet equivalent).
And don't forget to add the cashback (currently £38 on Quidco for a phone and broadband switch).

rai78

Thank you everyone, I went on Samknows and like you said it is the LLU options I can not get. I went through Quidco comparison and Plusnet came out top. It's a great deal and I wondered if any of you are plusnet customers as I can recommend you when I apply. Thanks again.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

glad you're sorted, and very kind of you to offer a referral.

I'd be happy to accept, but 'notbritishgas' was first, so don't want to jump in,,,,,,,,yet.

Edit: did you notice the line rental saver, where if you pay it upfront, it works out at £10.49 a month instead of £13.99, so a £42 saving.

rai78

I did frugalmacdugal unfortunately we're not in a position to pay upfront. I'll wait till Sunday to see if notbritishgas gets in touch.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

ok, thanks.

Just to add, I've been with them for a few years, only on the value BB as only myself using it, but have phone with them also, and not had any problems.

On the occasion when I've had to contact customer services they were very helpful.

notbritishgas

Here I am rai:D

Just make sure that you have been quoted the rate for your exchange.
Plusnet have 2 tariff prices, Market 1 and Market 2/3, as your exchange has no LLu you will be Market 1 which is the most expensive, but still cheaper than others.
The website seems to hide the higher prices.

I will PM you rai, and Frugal thanks for your generosity.