Updated Find the cheapest broadband discussion thread

[Deleted User]

Jakubk wrote: »

Thanks Colin that is useful to know, although it seems they have not removed it but turned if off because I saw this in their press release:

What if a customer wants to continue with traffic prioritisation?
Any customers who do want to continue to use traffic prioritisation can do so by ringing 0800 432 0200.

The only way that could be is if the traffic is going through that kit, although I gather they still have it for business so maybe they have two different networks

I suspect it's software based and for business use they prioritise VoIP over browsing & email for instance which makes sense. However for all present domestic BB UL deals it doesn't apply. There may be people on legacy contracts where they are affected but they're probably paying too much anyway and need to upgrade.

https://www.plus.net/help/broadband/about-traffic-prioritisation/

ffox

Doc_N wrote: »

I know it's popular to have a go at TalkTalk, but they do have a lot of happy customers.

I'm one of them - pretty much fault-free, decent customer service on the very rare occasions that I've needed it, and £30 pm all-in for unlimited calls and a package of add-ons including the very useful call divert that would cost an arm and a leg with BT.

Have to agree, TT have vastly improved their service from only 18-24 months ago. I have to admit I did give them a bit of stick. The underlying moral is if you're in business then by all means play fair or don't bother.

suemc17

Hi there,
I just thought I'd share a little problem I had when trying to switch my broadband package. This probably only affects about 3 other people but is useful to know!
I picked a deal for Fibre BB, line rental and anytime calls from TalkTalk, tried to sign up and it wouldn't let me create an account without entering a mobile number. I don't have a mobile and it wouldn't accept a landline number so I contacted them and was told I had to put a mobile number in to set up an account. I ditched that and tried a similar deal with Now and got the same thing, even though I have a NowTV account already!I tried another and couldn't do it online. By this time I was seeing a pattern and the deals available weren't so good.
I eventually asked a relative to use their number, although I wasn't happy about them getting potential spam texts or calls but they said they were OK with it, and the sign up went through with no problems. I then made sure that the contact preferences were set to no text or phone.
So please be aware that it now seems mandatory to have a blooming mobile even if, like me, you think you have no need for one! I have Aspergers and hate doing things like this by phone as I like to see all the info in front of me so there are no mistakes that could go on my credit record.

Jakubk

suemc17 wrote: »

Hi there,
I just thought I'd share a little problem I had when trying to switch my broadband package. This probably only affects about 3 other people but is useful to know!
I picked a deal for Fibre BB, line rental and anytime calls from TalkTalk, tried to sign up and it wouldn't let me create an account without entering a mobile number. I don't have a mobile and it wouldn't accept a landline number so I contacted them and was told I had to put a mobile number in to set up an account. I ditched that and tried a similar deal with Now and got the same thing, even though I have a NowTV account already!I tried another and couldn't do it online. By this time I was seeing a pattern and the deals available weren't so good.
I eventually asked a relative to use their number, although I wasn't happy about them getting potential spam texts or calls but they said they were OK with it, and the sign up went through with no problems. I then made sure that the contact preferences were set to no text or phone.
So please be aware that it now seems mandatory to have a blooming mobile even if, like me, you think you have no need for one! I have Aspergers and hate doing things like this by phone as I like to see all the info in front of me so there are no mistakes that could go on my credit record.

I hate that!

I suggest you get a couple of free SIMs online and use them for junk like this as you would any other spammer

I have a few with a throwaway old Nokia that I have in a drawer.

I make a point of calling such companies after all installed saying under GDPR I would like them to remove my number and not use that method to attempt to contact me.

Mind you I did the same with my energy supplier and they still called three times to try and force me to take a Smart Meter, twice in the same day after they same caller had taken my instruction to put on DO NOT CALL!

So I logged into portal, changed my mobile number to the spammer one.

I disabled the voicemail so they can't leave messages and the phone is never on

Can't say I am surprised, you should also be aware that TalkTalk abuse your data by sharing it on Credit Reference Databases EVERY MONTH without your exlicit permission. They effectively sell this to pay for their access to the Credit Reference System.

As far as I am concerned this is a complete abuse of the system, you are not obtaining credit and your address cannot exactly be forged if they are installing bloody Internet in your home.

Just another reason I will NEVER deal with TalkTalk.

Get yourself a couple of free sims and a tacky old mobile to use for this purpose.

Doc_N

Jakubk wrote: »

Can't say I am surprised, you should also be aware that TalkTalk abuse your data by sharing it on Credit Reference Databases EVERY MONTH without your exlicit permission. They effectively sell this to pay for their access to the Credit Reference System.

As far as I am concerned this is a complete abuse of the system, you are not obtaining credit and your address cannot exactly be forged if they are installing bloody Internet in your home.

Just another reason I will NEVER deal with TalkTalk.

Get yourself a couple of free sims and a tacky old mobile to use for this purpose.

A little unfair onTalkTalk, given that this is absolutely standard practice across all sectors allowing any form of credit, and that it's expressly covered by the T&C.

Jakubk

Doc_N wrote: »

A little unfair onTalkTalk, given that this is absolutely standard practice across all sectors allowing any form of credit, and that it's expressly covered by the T&C.

WRONG! Not Standard Practice.

Plusnet do not credit check Broadband customers, it is considered a Utility, THERE IS NO CREDIT

SKY do not credit check Broadband customers, it is considered a Utility, THERE IS NO CREDIT

These companies verify your address with your debit card and as I said you can't exactly order broadband and take it with you to another address. So no need for a credit check at all never mind giving CRD's data EVERY MONTH!

When I took out TalkTalk it was NOT covered by terms and conditions, there was no warning that my data would be used for this purpose and we were referred to a web page that said take your bad medicine.

TalkTalk were also responsible for one of the biggest data and most harmful leaks in the UK, there were two events. One where they did not encrypt their data nor adequately protect their servers or network, the other where they GAVE Indian IT company access to customer data which was sold. There is a specific fraud perpetrated on TalkTalk customers as a result of their data theft, has been explained on TV and Radio.

I have seen on other posts here and elsewhere that TalkTalk have been punished for taking data for one purpose (checking what sort of broadband you can get in your area) and using that data to cold call you without your permission.

It is completely unreasonable to CREDIT CHECK customers who are NOT TAKING CREDIT, the suppliers have the ability to prevent potential risk and let's face it broadband is provided mostly on unlimited data, so no risk really. Landline calls can be limited if abused.

Sky are brilliant at pausing your service if you skip a monthly payment so there is no risk and they add a charge for doing so. This demonstrates how a company can protect itself and so no need for credit search.

I had TalkTalk a few years ago and PREPAID the whole year, there was no credit but they still sold my data to credit reference databases EVERY MONTH.

So NOT unfair to TalkTalk, but perfectly factual. They do not NEED to do this, they SELL the data of millions of customers in order to get free access to a credit database.

This is not personal, I do not like or use Vodafone for the same reason.

Do not get me wrong, if you were buying a mobile phone over two years I would have no problem with a credit search being done by the supplier, as that WOULD be taking out a credit agreement governed by legislation.

The credit reference database companies are effectively BIG BROTHER, they are creating a sub class where you can't operate in society unless they approve you and you comply with them tracking your whole life.

You might have thought that GDPR improved things, well go try do a subject access request from Experian and see what you get back, it will NOT be a subject access request, it will be what they call a DATA ACCESS REQUEST which is essentially a copy of your credit record, but sanitised. You do not get the data you would expect about who provides the data etc or the things you are entitled to ask for under GDPR.

These companies think they are above the law. I know people who are pursuing a legal complaint via the Information Commissioners Office against CRD's, they themselves seem to be giving the Credit Reference Companies a free pass.


TalkTalk are an enabler of such companies, they have improved their Terms BUT with GDPR it is no longer enough to say “that is in our terms” you have to have explicit permission to share data.
TalkTalk have lost a lot customers, until the last quarter they have been bouncing along the bottom of OFCOM ratings as worst ISP, Vodafone recently took that position with TalkTalk 2nd worst with nearly 6x the number of complaints than Sky.


So perfectly fair really.

Anonymously

I am surprised at MSE still commendind Plusnet without adding that some of us have no t been able to get into their bills for almost 6 months and we have not been billed for usage for nearly 6 months. My last bill was November last year.


That may not be so bad but they have no idea when the issue is likely to be fixed.


New accounts and chaging seem to be the accounts affected.

molerat

Anonymously wrote: »

I am surprised at MSE still commendind Plusnet without adding that some of us have no t been able to get into their bills for almost 6 months and we have not been billed for usage for nearly 6 months. My last bill was November last year.


That may not be so bad but they have no idea when the issue is likely to be fixed.


New accounts and chaging seem to be the accounts affected.

As they are only going to bill back 90 days seems like a bargain service to me. My next bill is due 4th Jan ! I have been refunded Dec bill and have had a £75 cash back cheque. Just wish I had not paid LRS now

JJ_Egan

Anonymously wrote: »

I am surprised at MSE still commendind Plusnet





Agree MSE should no longer commend any ISP bar a very very few as they all have problems .

wiggers

The policy I believe is to list all providers but then give caveats according to customer feedback. This I presume is to allow you to make the trade-off between cost of the service and the potential hassles in dealing with problems. As I'm retired I have the time to spend berating customer service departments, but others may prefer a more expensive but hassle-free experience.