Shell Broadband

abandonedPensioner

In 2019 I signed up to Shell Broadband because of their price promise. They are now promising to increase their prices annually by at least the consumer price index (CPI). Understandably I would like to change suppliers, but I find I can't. I did initiate a switch to another supplier, but the next day I was informed my order could not be fulfilled because "BT is not providing new copper lines". I have since tried other broadband providers, but I'm not getting past the line check. It appears that although I do have a copper line to my local BT exchange, it's connected to Talk Talk equipment and BT is declining to accept these lines. Nor have I found a service provider who uses TalkTalk that will take over my Shell ADSL service, including TalkTalk.

I was offered fibre at a cost of 50% more by my prospective supplier, which has been repeated by others. For reasons I don't understand, these companies are not offering me their lower bandwidth, entry level fibre service. Some of these fibre offerings don't include a telephony service so the cost could be significantly higher, even if it can be provided. Although my 11Mb/s ADSL service is twice the bandwidth I need, I am not averse to fibre, providing it is sensibly priced. My concern is that given the current cost of living crisis, broadband is being priced above my means.

Any suggestions or advice?

QrizB

abandonedPensioner said:

Any suggestions or advice?

It sounds to me as though you're in one of the areas that's transitioning to "full fibre" fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP). If you switch supplier it will have to be to a FTTP service; ADSL (your current 11Mbit service) or the VDSL fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) options aill not be offered.

You can stay with Shell on ADSL for now, or switch to a fTTP service from another supplier.

Or you could give up your wired connectrion completely and switch to a mobile phone & mobile broadband, if you have reasonable signal at your home. (This is what my mid-70s parents have done, and they're happy with it.)

brewerdave

Your exchange has now presumably been recategorised as FTTP priority exchange. Openreach will not allow "new" FTTC or ADSL connections. Your choice is stay with Shell on the existing product or look for the cheapest full fibre product that you can get elsewhere.
 Another possibility (if you have decent mobile coverage) is to look at an unlimited data SIM to use in a 4g router.

flaneurs_lobster

If the OP is eligible for the BT Home Essentials service, would/could this be implemented as a conversion to FTTP?

pallyman

Maybe change to TT

flaneurs_lobster

pallyman said:

Maybe change to TT

abandonedPensioner said:

 Nor have I found a service provider who uses TalkTalk that will take over my Shell ADSL service, including TalkTalk.

       

abandonedPensioner

Thanks for all the prompt responses and insights. Initially I was unaware of the plans to withdraw Cu. FTTP makes perfect sense. There are mobile blackspots in my house and I've liked the idea of having a landline I can trust for emergencies. Broadband never used to be a cost issue and until recently I had a streaming service. I still use catchup services, but maybe mobile is the way to go. The savings I've made by cancelling my streaming service will keep me going for another year. I didn't like the idea of some companies profiteering, or others adopting predative fibre pricing, especially after some of these companies claimed broadband was a "human right". My worry is that the next fibre offer will include a high connection charge. You pays your money ....