Updated Find the cheapest broadband discussion thread

Bettapatrice

I am in the process of choosing broadband, as a novice am I best going for a phone & broadband package?? as I dont use my phone much!! and at the moment I am BTs light user scheme, What will be the best for me?????:money:

harryhound

How good is your computer knowledge?
Do you understand the basics of what a router is and how it works?
Do you have access to someone who is a wizz at this sort of stuff? (Like an intelligent 12 year old):j
(If the answers to these three questions are largely negative, then support might be more important to you than monthly cost or line speed.)

Step one: Go to the web site "samknows" and put in you 'phone number to see what is available and identify your exchange and how far away it is.

www.samknows.com

Bettapatrice

Thanks for that, I have got a Grandaughter who knows her way round the computer, But Im still wondering if as an oap am I best going for a phone & broadband package or a mobile package so that i still get my BT light user reductions, I dont know what to do.

miller

Bettapatrice wrote: »

But Im still wondering if as an oap am I best going for a phone & broadband package or a mobile package so that i still get my BT light user reductions, I dont know what to do.

BT Light User Scheme is being replaced by BT Basic. You must be on certain state benefits to qualify for BT Basic.

Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Employment Support Allowance (Income related) or
Pensions Credit (Guaranteed Credit)

So if you have nothing from that list you will be losing Light User Scheme discount anyway.

harryhound

Do existing users lose the benefits automatically?
I cannot remember the details BUT I do remember reading a leaflet sent to a ("comfortable") elderly relative that was in effect saying "there is nothing to worry about, you won't even notice".

miller

harryhound wrote: »

Do existing users lose the benefits automatically?

The letter I received the other day was a "jump before you are pushed letter" inviting you to sign up to 12 months @ £11.25 (option 1).

They need permission to contact the DWP to confirm if you are eligible for BT Basic. I expect the next letter will be along the lines of:

You didn't take up our fabulous 11.25 offer, so we need to contact the DWP to confirm if you are eligible for BT Basic. If you fail to do this, you will automatically be moved to option 1 (without the 12 months obligation and no free evening/weekend calls).

huggermugger

pauldreed wrote: »

Wow! well spotted.
So between 8pm & 10pm users can expect to get just 512Kbps download speed?
It's not such a bargain after all...

It does say it's suitable for light to medium users. I've been with them for 3 years - we only surf the net & send emails with occasional downloads and no gaming (wouldn't know how :rotfl:). It's perfect for us. I find their customer service second to none - they even helped me sort out a problem that was nothing to do with them.

You can find out whether your area is covered in the cheapest offer by clicking on " Check availability" under the product name. It's that simple... like most of their website!

DHB_2

I am coming to the end of my contract with BT and they wrote to me offering a measly £1.40 per month discount if I signed up for another 12 months, so I took Martin's advice and asked for my MAC code. I then received an offer of a reduction to £12.70 monthly (nearly £5 discount) plus a free Hub upgrade. After a bit of negotiation, I now also have a new Hub phone thrown in free as well. So, don't accept the first offer you receive.

drevill

Be careful when signing up with talk talk , last year i changed to talk talk from orange broadband and talk talk told me if orange was going to charge me anything talk talk would let me know first before setting it up . 6 months down the line im still having a battle with talk talk about £98 that orange want for me coming out of my contract .

TalkTalk

Hi Drevill,

Any contractual agreements are the responsibility of the customer not TalkTalk. We can not view any contracts you have with other providers and our terms and conditions clearly state it is the customers responsibility to fulfil contractual obligations with their old provider.

Cheers
EmmaL x