Orange ending dialup - offering 2Gb broadband, any good?

OurTater

parents had a letter through yesterday from Orange - they've been with Freeserve anytime for some years now and have bene happy with that, however Orange are now ending that nad have sent them a letter saying that in 3 weeks time they will be automatically switched over to their 2Gb Broadband package, if they don't want it then the dial up will be cut off in any case soon leaving no internet access.

Couple of questons spring to mind
- is the Orange 2Gb broadband any good? They spend their time just generally surfing, not much if any video or downloading apart from system updates so no real heavy downloads, barring any bulky system updates

- there is a PC downstairs and a Mac upstairs - both are used for net access and this will still need to be the case. Will they need a second modem for the Mac upstairs to use the broadband acess? Wireless is not an option as the Pc and Mac are several years old and did not come with wireless cards installed, plus wireless is not an option they want (nor would I!), nor is a cable connection between the two an option due to the distance between the 2 machines - both will need net access though

- are there any other better deals they could take up and would it take long to switch from their soon to be ending dial up service

5limJim

OurTater wrote: »

parents had a letter through yesterday from Orange - they've been with Freeserve anytime for some years now and have bene happy with that, however Orange are now ending that nad have sent them a letter saying that in 3 weeks time they will be automatically switched over to their 2Gb Broadband package, if they don't want it then the dial up will be cut off in any case soon leaving no internet access.

Couple of questons spring to mind
- is the Orange 2Gb broadband any good? They spend their time just generally surfing, not much if any video or downloading apart from system updates so no real heavy downloads, barring any bulky system updates

- there is a PC downstairs and a Mac upstairs - both are used for net access and this will still need to be the case. Will they need a second modem for the Mac upstairs to use the broadband acess? Wireless is not an option as the Pc and Mac are several years old and did not come with wireless cards installed, plus wireless is not an option they want (nor would I!), nor is a cable connection between the two an option due to the distance between the 2 machines - both will need net access though

- are there any other better deals they could take up and would it take long to switch from their soon to be ending dial up service

Do ythey have digital TV through Sky? If so, their broadband package is good value if they sign up for the standard broadband package, its free (barring a one-off connection fee of about £20 I think)..

C_Ronaldo

2Mb is fine for what tehy want to do, 1Mb would be cheaper and also be adequate(sp?)

OurTater

thanks for the responses so far - only have regular Sky TV not the digital as yet unfortunately.

Any ideas as to connecting both the upstaurs and downstairs computers to the one broadband connection? Guessing it would not be as simple as having a broadband modem on each (both using the same account & log-in details?) - this is probably more the crux of the issue!

valli2

I would think twice about taking Orange Broadband OrangeProblems Orange have the worst customer service ive ever experienced, there are plenty of other good ISP's check out DSLZoneUK ISP ratings page.

custardy

a router would be easier for both computers.

rcooke

Why don't you want wireless it's perfectly safe and secure.

You can't use more than one router (modem) on a telephone at a time. I recommend a wireless router plus a USB wireless adapter on each machine.

By the way the only Sky TV there is now is digital. Sky ceased analogue satellite all the way back in 2001. If they're only light users, have Sky TV and Sky Broadband is available in your area get the free package for £30 connection includes wireless router.

BritBrat

I still use the freeserve dialup and had no notification.

I would not touch them on broadband.

Sounds like scare tactics to me.

Orange are now ending that nad have sent them a letter saying that in 3 weeks time they will be automatically switched over to their 2Gb Broadband package,

They will have a job doing that with me, you can not have two broadband connections on the same line. I use dialup to maintain the freeserve account and Email.


EDIT

Ah I see, only anytime accounts not dialup PAYG.

I would get your parents to downgrade to dialup and dial in every month or two to retain same email, but sign up to another ADSL provider or better still cable if that is an option.

Unless you can get Orange to give it them for a very low price and a shorter contract than 18 months.

lainey_stardust

hi all, i've had an email from orange saying that because i haven't used my payg dial up service for seven months it will be cancelled in three weeks unless i go to my account and reinstate it(meaning start paying again!)
this brings up 2 issues:a) i have never used payg for my internet access. even when orange was freeserve i had a pay monthly account ,not dial up. i went on orange broadband when it switched from freeserve and then went to talktalk earlier this year coz Orange is pants on BB
b) i have had the same address ever since i first got online, some 5 years ago. I do have an msn address but it's gonna be such a head ache to change my address on all the sites i use and subscribe to.
i access my emails everyday through the orange homepage on IE so how can they cancel my email address?
any clues anyone?
ta ;-)

mrJ_5

if you just keep using the payg service every month or two, it will keep your email address active - by using, they mean connect to the pay as you go service, but then you can always disconnect a few seconds after the connection has been made - it may cost you about 5p, but if you want to keep your email address, it'll be worth it

Just because you view the emails, doesn't mean your account is active - you need to use the payg service to keep it active

how can they cancel my email address?

they push a few buttons here or there, and it then will be cancelled

dog_food

Thinking of changing my broadband provider.

Orange have an offer on for anyone who has an Orange mobile (18 or 24 month contract). 8mb, unlimited subject to fair usage policy, free evening and weekend calls and a second line that plugs into their live box and gives you free international calls (there is a list of which countries on their website) and free calls to orange mobiles.

You get all of this for £15/month, and that includes line rental, which Orange take over from BT. They normally charge £24 for this.

Sounds very good...what do people think...give me your horror (and love) stories!