Are BT BS’ing me with this quote?

sonnydeletejc

Hi All,

I’m looking for some impartial opinions on a couple of conversations I had last week with ISP’s regarding broadband upgrade options.

I’m currently with EE. I signed up for a 2-8Mb uncapped service a couple of years ago when they were still known as Orange. I achieve roughly 5-6Mb d/l speeds, which is usually adequate for my needs, however I have a look at the market from time to time to see if I’mgetting the most bang for my buck!

I checked on the BT site and it quoted a speed of 17Mb, so I thought, how can that be possible on the same line, so I opened up the live chat on the BT site and this is how the conversation went…

info: You are nowconnected with BT Operative
Me: Hi BT Operative.
BT Operative: Welcome to BT, the most completebroadband provider. My name is BT Operative.
BT Operative: How may I assist you with your ordertoday?
Me: I'm looking to changemy broadband package and provider. At the moment My ISP is EE. I can't affordBT Infinity, but am interested in the BT Broadband offering. I've checked onthe BT site and it states that I could achieve an estimated d/l speed of 17Mb.I just wondered how this is possible, because I only get between 5-8Mb with EE.Isn't it the same line that will be used.
BT Operative: May I please have your TelephoneNumber, Postal Code and Door Number / House Name to check availability?
Me: 01XXX XXX X40
BT Operative: BT are on a different network. Wecan provide you the speed quoted
Me: Ok. I thought everyoneused BT lines, but assumed there was some sort of agreement between BT and theother ISP's. I stand corrected!
Me: So, how much is thispackage? I'd be looking for unlimited downloads.
BT Operative: One moment please.
BT Operative: You will get Weekend UK Land linecalls 1571, 1471, BT Privacy & Caller Display. 0870 & 0845 numbers arealso included within times covered by your calling plan.
BT Operative: With this package you will get ourTotally Unlimited Broadband with a speed of up to 16Mps, You will also get theBT Home Hub 3, 2GB of storage on BT Cloud and Unlimited Access to BT WiFihotspots & our Smart Talk App included for free.
BT Operative: This package is FREE for the first 6Month then £16 a month thereafter plus standard line rental of £15.45. There isalso a one off £6.95 delivery charge which can be added on to the first bill.
BT Operative: A £25 Sainsbury's Voucher isprovided with this offer.
BT Operative: How does this sound?
Me: How long is thecontract?
BT Operative: 18 months only
Me: I'll have to do mysums on that one, BT Operative. I pay £19 a month all in with EE. Is the BTprice negotiable?

The next day I decided to call EE to challenge them over the line speed, but they were quite adamant that unless I upgrade to their fibre optic then the speed I’m on with them (5/6Mb on a 2-8Mb deal) then there is no way I could go any faster.

So, someone is telling me porkie pies, and I wonder if the good folks of the MSE forum can set me straight?

Thanks.

J

bod1467

Can you post your current router stats please?

It might be that EE/Orange have you on an ADSL (up to 8meg) plan whereas BT are offering an ADSL2+ plan (technically up to 24meg).

Use the exchange checker at https://www.samknows.com to see who and what is available at your exchange.

sonnydeletejc

Thanks for the reply bod.

I'll have to run my router stats when I get home later, but here's what SamKnows says about my exchange...

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/SMBWD

iniltous

I think bod1467 has probably got it, if your current provider is selling you upto 8Mb broadband and you get 5 to 6 Mb, then on a upto 20/24 Mb service, 17Mb doesnt seem unreasonable..sounds like your current provider either has no access to sell ADSL2 or has a policy to not offer it , perhaps they want to persuade people to go mobile on their 4G offering

sonnydeletejc

Here are my router stats bod...

lee111s

Yeah you should get a pretty good connection speed with those stats on an up to 20mef service.

shoperholicnot

[QUOTE

The next day I decided to call EE to challenge them over the line speed, but they were quite adamant that unless I upgrade to their fibre optic then the speed I’m on with them (5/6Mb on a 2-8Mb deal) then there is no way I could go any faster.

So, someone is telling me porkie pies, and I wonder if the good folks of the MSE forum can set me straight?

Thanks.

J[/QUOTE]

I was with o2 and was getting 8mb,
was quoted 17mb by BT too but did not believe it either, but I joined and I am getting speeds of 15-17mb sometimes 18mb!

be warned their 'technical support' team are useless, sometimes its better to ask the cat. :rotfl:

sonnydeletejc

Hi Folks,

Apologies for the late reply.

Just to let you know I ended up going for a switch to Sky. They’re doing a 12 month phone and unlimited broadband package (estimated speed 16Mbs) for £19.50 a month, so only 50p more a month for HOPEFULLY at least twice the speed.

Thanks all for comments and advice.

Cheers,
J