Fibre speeds - BT and Sky

paulfoel

Was originally going to go with BT. They quoted me a speed of 63.8Mbps on my line so I was going to go for the up to 76Mbps package.

Sky have been in touch (offering a much better deal) and have said I can only get 42Mbps so its pointess paying for the faster package for just 2Mb.

Who do I believe? Are sky, for some reason, not keen on selling the faster one?

http://www.cable.co.uk/compare/broadband/ also reports 63.8Mbps.

kwikbreaks

In the main the BT checker which they all use is pessimistic rather than optimistic. I suspect that the Sky salesman is being economical with the truth as he'll have exactly the same numbers in front of him that everybody else has although I suppose it's possible Sky juggle the profile to reduce the odds on them getting calls.

Whoever you decide to go with don't forget to use a cashback site .

duchy

What does it matter -?
It's the same line and equipment but packaged by two competing companies. Surely you just go for the one who offers you the best deal?
Every company makes decisions on what they charge -there's no reason why they will be the same for Fibre any more than you'd expect the electric companies to all charge the same.

Personally anything over 30 MEG suits me - I don't need any more than that so wouldn't pay extra as it's more than I need. Sky quoted me 30 meg -I actually get 40 and yes I do think there may be an element of quoting a bit below to allow for poor set up in the customer's home as it is self set up or unrealistic expectation.

paulfoel

kwikbreaks wrote: »

In the main the BT checker which they all use is pessimistic rather than optimistic. I suspect that the Sky salesman is being economical with the truth as he'll have exactly the same numbers in front of him that everybody else has although I suppose it's possible Sky juggle the profile to reduce the odds on them getting calls.

Whoever you decide to go with don't forget to use a cashback site .

Thats the point. Why wouild sky say max 42 when the checker says 63.

They're mssing the opportunity to sell the next package up for £10 more.

paulfoel

duchy wrote: »

What does it matter -?
It's the same line and equipment but packaged by two competing companies. Surely you just go for the one who offers you the best deal?
Every company makes decisions on what they charge -there's no reason why they will be the same for Fibre any more than you'd expect the electric companies to all charge the same.

Personally anything over 30 MEG suits me - I don't need any more than that so wouldn't pay extra as it's more than I need.

Basic package is up to 40mbps. Enhanced package is up to 76Mbps.

BT were willing to sell me enhanced claiming I'd get around 63. Sky are saying no its 42 max so dont bother with enhanced package (for £10 more).

Wondering why sky are saying this?

WTFH

Sky are telling you it's above the lower package. You could be tempted to go with the bigger one and then you'll be very happy when you find you get more than 42Mb.
Or, they'll phone you in 6 months and offer to upgrade you for a small fee.
Either way you end up a happy Sky customer thinking you are getting more than they promised you. Aren't Sky wonderful.

You should base your decision on what you actually need, not on what companies are trying to sell you.
What data allowance do you need? (no, don't tell me what each one is offering you, tell me what you need)
How many devices will you be using?
Will you be streaming things simultaneously?
Will you be playing online games?
Will you be doing much file sharing/using torrent sites?

How the companies choose to try to sell their package to you should not be your main concern - you should be focussing on getting what you need.

paulfoel

WTFH wrote: »

Sky are telling you it's above the lower package. You could be tempted to go with the bigger one and then you'll be very happy when you find you get more than 42Mb.
Or, they'll phone you in 6 months and offer to upgrade you for a small fee.
Either way you end up a happy Sky customer thinking you are getting more than they promised you. Aren't Sky wonderful.

You should base your decision on what you actually need, not on what companies are trying to sell you.
What data allowance do you need? (no, don't tell me what each one is offering you, tell me what you need)
How many devices will you be using?
Will you be streaming things simultaneously?
Will you be playing online games?
Will you be doing much file sharing/using torrent sites?

How the companies choose to try to sell their package to you should not be your main concern - you should be focussing on getting what you need.

This is true - if they sell me the up to 40mbps package they're confident I will get this. If they sell me the other one I won't get the max.

I know there are a lot of people out there who would then moan.

Currently, get 2Mbps broadband so anything is better. Generally, I plan to use for:-

1. Web browsing - 2 pcs at home.
2. Sky TV downloads (not possible really on 2Mbps!)
3. torrent downloads

Just thinking I'd pay £10 month more for 23Mbps more (63 as opposed to 40).

WTFH

If you currently get 2Mb, then going to 20Mb is going to seem great. (I went from 0.8Mb to 14Mb and it was amazing)

Be aware that if you are using torrent sites a lot that some ISPs will throttle your speed.

kwikbreaks

Most of the upto 40Mbps deals feature considerably lower upstream as well which may sway your choice if you run torrents. Whether it is worth paying a premium for that only you can say. I don't see upstream quoted on the Sky website.

paulfoel

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Most of the upto 40Mbps deals feature considerably lower upstream as well which may sway your choice if you run torrents. Whether it is worth paying a premium for that only you can say. I don't see upstream quoted on the Sky website.

not so botherted about upstream.

iniltous

Sky seem to push their equivilent of BT infinity 1 and are a bit cheaper than BT Retail for that service, but are more expensive for the equivilent of Infinity 2 and don't seem to push that service..in the OP's case I would think Sky are trying to get a sale on the upto 40Mb service, perhaps they get a better wholesale deal from their supplier (BT) on that speed,
if the OP went for Infinity 2 and the speed was 'only' 42Mb, then they could call BT and ask to be put onto Infinity 1 as there predicted speed didn't happen, but chances are the OP would get in excess of the 63Mb quoted as most comments on forums like this one suggest the estimate is always on the low side