Updated Find the cheapest broadband discussion thread

tbw

Patr100 wrote: »

Yes, Since June 2015 a new system has come into force. Now just contact your new ISP and they will do the rest to arrange the switch.

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2015/05/a-guide-to-switching-uk-broadband-and-phone-provider-after-june-2015.html

Thank you - that a great help. All I need to do now is find a good alternative that also gives me a cashback !

afmfifgh

Just looking for peoples views on these two deals that I am considering having searched through the usual providers and if any one can spot an error or something I have missed. I currently have a BT line installed but it is not active.

1. Sky Unlimited 22mb Broadband - No calls included - No TV included:

Contract: 12 months
Years Line rental: £208.80 (£17.40 monthly)
One off costs: £26.95 (£20.00 set-up & £6.95 delivery charge)
Monthly charges: £0.00
Cashback: -£80.00 for Standalone Broadband Unlimited (without TV) via Quidco
Gift Card: -£100.00 pre-paid Mastercard
3% Cashback for paying Direct Debit via Santander 123 Account: -£6.26 (3% of £208.80 line rental)

Total for the year: £49.49
Total monthly: £4.12

2. BT Unlimited 38mb Infinity 1 - Weekend calls included - Pause & Rewind Starter TV package included:

Contract: 12 months
Years Line rental: £194.28 (£16.19 monthly) by opting for Line Rental Saver
One off costs: £55.95 (£49.00 activation fee & £6.95 Hub delivery charge)
Monthly charges: £10.00
Cashback: -£160.00 for new customer BT TV + Broadband + Calls via Quidco
Gift Card: -£100.00 pre-paid Mastercard
3% Cashback for paying Direct Debit via Santander 123 Account: -£5.28 (3% of £55.95 one off costs paid on first Direct Debit & 3% of £10.00 monthly charge)

Total for the year: £104.95
Total monthly: £8.75


What do people think?

I have two PVR's already and just use freeview and freesat so I don't have a need for TV and I don't use my landline at all for calls so don't need calls included.

I am leaning towards just going for the Sky package as I think up to 22MB download is more than enough for me and it is a saving over the year of £62.41 and only £3.55 per month is very good and unlikely to be beaten as long as I am not missing anything!?

jem16

afmfifgh wrote: »

I am leaning towards just going for the Sky package as I think up to 22MB download is more than enough for me

Sky BB Unlimited is up to 17mb not 22mb. However you may not get this - what would your estimate be?

[Deleted User]

afmfifgh,
I would go with the Sky package unless you need the fibre speed which you say you don't.

Not only is it cheaper, in the event that the Quidco cashback didn't pay (mine usually does but I have had a couple of large declines over the years) you'd lose less with Sky.

I believe the Sky UK call centres are better than the BT off-shore ones and Sky customer service does better in the MSE polls.

Caller display is also free with Sky whereas it's a bit more complicated with BT (BT Privacy is free if signing up to a new contract but you can't add it as part of your initial order).

afmfifgh

Thanks for your replies.

When I do the checker on the Sky site it says my Sky Broadband Unlimited estimated access line speed is 16.1 - 22.4 Mbps. It doesn't make any mention of a maximum 17Mbs.

Edit: In the small print it states: "Up to 17Mb download speeds (vary significantly by location)."

I have never had Fibre before so I don't really see the benefits. The most I have ever had before moving has been 4Mbs and I rarely had issues with streaming with that speed so I would think anything over 15Mbs is going to be ample for my needs.

I do do a lot of streaming but there is only myself in the house so there aren't multiple things being streamed at once.

Having caller display is useful but I wouldn't pay for it so good to know it is free. I don't use a landline for calls as I just use my mobile but some family members may call my landline.

Sounds like the Sky deal is going to be the one to go for - only 9 hours left until the Quidco cashback changes.

I have never had a problem with Quidco in the past so hopefully that will continue to be the case!

afmfifgh

One more bit of advice. I am currently still with BT (it is connected in my old house still) and my contract ends on 11/12/2015. If I want to cancel that and not transfer I will need to give 30 days notice according to the BT T&C's

But if I transfer it to Sky I need to give 14 days notice according to BT's T&C's.

So assuming I do the transfer today to Sky (Quidco offer ends today) would that count as 14 or 15 days? I don't want to incur early termination fees from BT, but if I did would they just be 1 days worth? (It is as clear as mud on their website!)

Also when would the service actually transfer? Would I have to wait until after the BT 12 months came to an end on 11/12/2015?

Any advice on this front would be great.

jem16

afmfifgh wrote: »

So assuming I do the transfer today to Sky (Quidco offer ends today) would that count as 14 or 15 days? I don't want to incur early termination fees from BT, but if I did would they just be 1 days worth? (It is as clear as mud on their website!)

Also when would the service actually transfer? Would I have to wait until after the BT 12 months came to an end on 11/12/2015?

Any advice on this front would be great.

If you sign up today then the phone line would transfer 14 days from today so 10th December.

Your problem may be that transferring before your contract end date you will probably be asked to return the router.

afmfifgh

I have just got back in and was about to sign up when I noticed that the cashback offer on Quidco has been extended for 7 days so I will wait now until I am within the 14 day period of my existing BT contract ending.

Is it industry standard to allow 14 days for the switch to happen? I don't want to risk Sky switching me early, say in 7 days.

Also can I ask is what I am planning to do going to be okay:

1. I have BT provide my Broadband, Phone and TV at my old house. I still own this house but no longer live in it. The service is just not being used.

2. I want to if possible keep my existing phone number that is registered at my old house and move it over to my new address.

So in effect I am switching providers but also switching the houses they supply. Is this possible or not and will it cause issues?

I am starting to wonder if I should just give the 30 days notice to leave BT and cancel that contract and start all over again at my new address with Sky and get a new landline number which wouldn't be the end of the world.

Sorry about all the questions!
Does any one know?

Thanks.

joolsbfd

afmfifgh wrote: »

Cashback: -£80.00 for Standalone Broadband Unlimited (without TV) via Quidco
Gift Card: -£100.00 pre-paid Mastercard

can I just ask about the MasterCard thing - is this just a personal gift or something- is it's not some offer that we should know about?. I'm in position of moving house and lots of costs to move with current b&b. Provider - so need to research options.

Thanks

jem16

afmfifgh wrote: »

Is it industry standard to allow 14 days for the switch to happen? I don't want to risk Sky switching me early, say in 7 days.

You have to be given a 14 day cooling off period so switch won't happen before then.

2. I want to if possible keep my existing phone number that is registered at my old house and move it over to my new address.

So in effect I am switching providers but also switching the houses they supply. Is this possible or not and will it cause issues?

Is your new house covered by the same exchange? If it is there shouldn't be a problem. If it isn't you may not be able to keep your number if it's not covered by the new exchange. Best to ask Sky although that may cause issues with cashback.