Toucan Broadband

Katie_D

I hope that this hasn't been asked before, but i couldn't find it on the searches.

I'm looking to change from dial up to a basic broadband internet and Toucan (@ £14.99 per month) appear to be competitive but I can't find any comments on them, unlike Tiscali which seem to have poor write ups.

Has anyone used Toucan Broadband, heard anything about them, or got any better recomendations. I'm looking for a cheap, but reliable package, either 512Kb or 1000.

Thanks

littlereddevil

I get my phone calls thru toucan and would have gone for this broadband deal but I am tied up with tiscali for ayear.
their phone service is good and their customer service[freephone] is excellent

Katie_D

Thanks Anneg

That's precisely why I want to avoid Tiscali, but Toucan is also a year's contract, which is Ok is the service is good, but not so OK if it isn't, but it looks promising.

Edinburghlass_2

Virgin have just reduced their 512 broadband to £14.99 per month with no 12 month contract tie in. Think there is a download limit though of 3gb.

bbb_uk

Use ISPReview.co.uk to get details of bb providers and certain specs and Reader Reviews to get comments posted by normal users about bb providers.

One ISP called ADSL4Less (scroll down to bottom half of the page) do unlimited/unrestricted 512k broadband £14.99 (includes VAT) per month. You are not tied down to a 12month contract but only a 1month one so should you have problems you can move after a month. ADSL4Less is listed in the top 10 ISP's and given a score of 8.91 out of 10 by ISPReview.

The problem with this is that you have to pay a ADSL activation fee of £79. This fee is what BT charge ADSL4Less for activating the line for ADSL and hence why it is passed on to us.

Now a lot of companies don't charge the activation fee and provide a free modem but these always lock you into a 12month contract and get back the cost of the activation fee and modem from the 12months you are with them. Thing is if you have nothing but problems then there is pretty much nothing you can do.

On the otherhand, the cheaper bb providers that don't tie you into a 12month contract do charge an activation fee (if necessary) and for a modem (if necessary) as they can't guarantee you are not going to move to a different provider after 1month and therefore can't get back the costs of the activation fee, etc.

Also, the cheaper bb providers normally have a premium rate tech support, I noticed ADSL4Less have a 0871 which costs 10ppm all the time. It is a lot of money but compared to the premium rate numbers some bb providers charge it isn't that bad.

I personally haven't used ADSL4Less as I'm on t'w for my broadband but going by the reviews for it from ISPReview they get good marks.

I've not read their t&c though so can't comment on any hidden clauses but you can read their t&c here.

UPDATE: If you know you are going to be a light user (surf few webpages, etc) and not download much then they also do one for £11.99 with a 2gb limit.

Hope that helps?

Katie_D

Thanks, this does help, but has given more food for thought.

Perhaps I'd be better paying out for a modem and cheaper monthly charges, or perhaps Virgin is a good deal as if they are crap i can escape and keep the modem and i don't have the initial outlay.

Think I'll sleep on it!

bbb_uk

Katie_D wrote:

Thanks, this does help, but has given more food for thought.

Perhaps I'd be better paying out for a modem and cheaper monthly charges, or perhaps Virgin is a good deal as if they are crap i can escape and keep the modem and i don't have the initial outlay.

Think I'll sleep on it!

Just had a quick glance at Virgin's t&c and noticed they charge a cancellation fee of £50 if cancelled within 12 months. Also (though I don't know for sure) but make sure that the t&c state they can't reclaim the broadband modem back from you even though it is free. I have a cable modem that was supplied "free" but the modem still belongs to them (cable company) so if I cancel my bb then they'll take the modem back.

Remember, most things "free" generally have a catch associated with them!

Have you considered Tesco.net they do free activation fee and modem and offer unlimited/unrestricted (unlike Virgin) access for £17.97? You are stuck to a 12month contract though but as far as i'm aware not many people have had problems with them.

Katie_D

I agree, free or very cheap do usually mean there is a catch. I will certainly look at Tesco as I'll even get Clubcard points!

Edinburghlass_2

Katie, I have been with Tesco broadband since its inception last September ish and before that with their dial up for years.

Yes, some people had major problems at the beginning when there were teething problems, personally I had one 24 hour problem but nothing since then.

So yes, I can recommend them