To switch or not to switch?

Carlos1882

Hi everyone, hope your week is going well. Thank Crunchie it's Friday! :beer:

So, I've just discovered my 12 month contract with EE is about to come to an end, meaning first of all my charges will go up if I don't do anything!

It hasn't been the smoothest of services from EE I'm afraid, for the duration of the term I have experienced countless problems with my wifi, in that it fails to maintain a connection and frequently drops out!

Whilst I made EE aware of this almost from the offset and credit where it's due they were fairly helpful to begin with, 12 months on and I/they still have not resolved this issue. This is despite a constant series of phone calls troubleshooting, including; replacing the router (twice) changing the micro-filters, changing the channels etc etc... All to no avail... They did offer to send an engineer but with that comes the risk of it being a chargeable service if the fault is in my home!

So, I basically got to the point where I decided to live with it, as there doesn't appear to be any resolving the issue and I was deep into the contract to bail out!

Therefore, you can forgive me for considering my options at this juncture. I certainly do not wish to renew and continue experiencing the poor connection and I certainly do not wish to pay more for this privilege!!!

However, if I do switch providers, who is to say these problems will be resolved anyway, if the fault indeed lays within the area of the property?

My gut feeling is this is probably caused by a cheap and cheerful EE router, but I don't know this for sure...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated guys, kinda find myself between a rock and a hard place!

Thanks

Kind regards

Carl

MurkySurfy

If you have a device that works fine wires via ethernet connected to the router and it's only wifi connection issues, then it's just the router that causing problems, not your line.
Most ISPs only guarantee your connection speed to the router, not wifi speeds. And most ISP supplied routers are terrible when it has to be a modem, a router and a wireless access point.
You could simply replace the isp supplied router with a third party combined modem router or buy a wireless access point to add to your router and turn off the wireless on the ISP supplied router.

Carlos1882

OK, good points well made, thanks.

Seeing as I am at the point of end of contract, is there an ISP that anyone can recommend that have better than average routers? I've heard good things about Plusnet?

VinnyC

I just switched from Virgin Media to BT, primarily due to issues I had with Virgin getting things up and running, which funnily enough was even worse with BT..

However, both routers (once up and running) have worked well for me. Although the BT Smart Hub router does seem to enable wifi connections over a longer range than the Virgin Media superhub router I had.

If your internet line is faulty, it could be worth trying a Virgin fibre broadband, as I would imagine that it will use a different line to the one you have in your contract with EE.

AndyPK

I do like EE's prices and value but their routers aren't very good.

You can of course use another router

Carlos1882

So, yesterday I decided to make the steps towards signing up to Plusnet, their award winning customer service attracted me to them more than anything else!

However, that's not without more woes with EE!

I emailed them saying how unhappy I was with the service I was receiving vs what I am paying for. Again, credit where it is due, they were straight onto it and requested a BT Engineer, who was dispatched yesterday and was indeed able to diagnose and repair a fault with the BT cable providing my broadband...

However, this has NOT resolved the issue whatsoever and I am still experiencing the exact same problem as before.

In addition to that, Plusnet contacted me to say they are unable to submit my order as the telephone number I have provided seems to be incorrect. After a quick chat to find out the reason, I was informed that Openreach's systems are not up to date and they don't have my phone line registered correctly at my address and that I should contact EE, so they can raise an ORDI request with BT Openreach to ensure the records are up to date.

What a nightmare! I've no idea how long this has been going on for and if it is the result of the BT Engineers visit yesterday, but I am now paying for a service that I cannot even use!!!

I've escalated the issue with EE and waiting to hear something back...

kwikbreaks

Perhaps they'll send a hit squad round to blow away all the interfering WiFi users around you.

Failing that buy yourself a decent wireless router which you can use with any ISP but check first before signing up that they don't insist on you using whatever tat they supply.

[Deleted User]

If you use a non isp supplied router is there much configuration to be done? Or is it just a case of plugin it in?

Mister_G

Usually all you have to do is enter your username and password into the appropriate page on the router's set up screen.

However, as kwikbreaks says, check with you ISP first that you can use a non ISP provided router. I know that it is difficult to do with Sky, but not impossible.

AndyPK

I've got a non approved router with EE ASDL.

e.g netgear

AndyPK

This is what I use with EE.

Excellent value for money

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Orange-Home-Broadband-Router-Gigaset-SE572-/232226362387?hash=item3611c51413:g:t5YAAOSwHMJYHmv2