Broadband Renewal Options

Neil_Jones

Northern_Wanderer said:

Neil_Jones said:

Northern_Wanderer said:

If you like BT, how about Plusnet? My neighbours went for Vodafone, who contracted out the FTTP full fibre installation. I saw the wiring in their house which was a complete mess. Personally hoping to choose a provider that will use Openreach to do installation as I rightly or wrongly feel they will do a better job. 

Vodafone install FTTP with Openreach or somebody like CityFibre depending on where you are and what's available. You may not have a choice who installs your fibre.

With regards to Plusnet, the OP hasn't mentioned regarding needing Digital Voice but its worth stating here that Plusnet does not provide Digital Voice.

Well I beleive it's actually Openreach that contracted it out. CityFibre don't operate here, it's all done from poles. 

"being done from poles" doesn't mean anything.  I don't have FTTP, but I know all the cables where I am have to go underground at some point at the end of the block of flats/maisonettes, there isn't a telegraph pole in sight.

Why would Openreach contract an FTTP install out anyway?  If there's nobody else in the area they'll have to do it  They own that network.  The likes of CityFibre, Hyperoptics, BRSK and others build their own networks

flaneurs_lobster

Nah, Openreach do use sub-contractors on some FTTP installs, at least they did on my next-door neighbour. Some sub-contractors even have the fact written on their vans ("Working on behalf of Openreach").

wongataa

Neil_Jones said:

Why would Openreach contract an FTTP install out anyway?  If there's nobody else in the area they'll have to do it  They own that network.  The likes of CityFibre, Hyperoptics, BRSK and others build their own networks

When I had FTTP put in it was MJ Quinn who turned up and did the work for Openreach.

fcjf

Exodi said:

If you end up going with Vodafone, they're constantly running deals where you can get a £100-£150 giftcard at the same time as signing up - I've had two off Vodafone (I switch every time my contract is up).

EDIT: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/compare-broadband-deals/

Looks like £115 at the moment.

I've bitten the bullet and gone with the 150Mb Vodafone deal which is £25/month with a £115 giftcard. Install is 11th August. I did consider Plusnet but needed Digital Voice, not for us making calls but there's two elderly relatives who only use the landline number and Vodafone with DV was cheaper than Plusnet without.

Three households close by have had FTTP installed in the past few weeks and all of the Fibre installs have been carried out by Openreach although I have also seen MJ Quinn in other streets nearby. I'll be in when they come so I'll be able to keep an eye on things.

I'm going to buy a separate Mesh Wi-Fi system and set it up before the install, just deciding on Google Nest or a TP-Link system. Setting this up beforehand and changing the numerous passwords before the ISP switchover should at least reduce the time offline which will keep everybody happy.  

flaneurs_lobster

fcjf said:

I'm going to buy a separate Mesh Wi-Fi system and set it up before the install, just deciding on Google Nest or a TP-Link system. Setting this up beforehand and changing the numerous passwords before the ISP switchover should at least reduce the time offline which will keep everybody happy.  

Should be able to change SSID/password on your new Vodafone router to match that on your existing BT box - means that you don't have to change WiFi logins on your existing devices.

VXman

fcjf said:

Exodi said:

I'd always opt for the cheapest out of BT/Sky/Vodafone/etc as they all use the same lines (Virgin is the only one that uses their own lines).

As you identify, signal quality is just down to hardware.

Personally I use a third party router and WiFi points (Nest Wifi), so regardless of what ISP I choose, I just plug my nest router into their modem and then the signal quality is exactly the same regardless of who I use (and you don't need to set up all your devices as the network name/password/etc stays the same - though technically you could do this with the ISP model/router too).

You can get decent broadband for ~£25-£30 a month and get a router + point (e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315116593771 ) for £75 which pays for itself in half a year compared to your current idea (and you keep the hardware forever).

Obviously other routers/mesh networks/extenders exist.

Also Fibre 500 is massive overkill for 99.9% of families. Most people would do just fine with the 60ish mb packages or 150mb (though people regularly conflate signal quality with speed).

Thank you. Is the Nest router + point as good as TP Link alternatives? Would it be as good as the BT Hub 2 and disc that I already have?

The 150mb option is probably what I'd go with then, Vodafone 150 is £25/month, Sky and Plusnet £27/month. 

I just got Sky 150 at £24 per month plus £84 voucher (Tesco etc) for a 24 month contract. With he voucher that works out at about £20 a month. It was sourced through one of the big comparison sites.

VXman

fcjf said:

Exodi said:

If you end up going with Vodafone, they're constantly running deals where you can get a £100-£150 giftcard at the same time as signing up - I've had two off Vodafone (I switch every time my contract is up).

EDIT: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/compare-broadband-deals/

Looks like £115 at the moment.

I've bitten the bullet and gone with the 150Mb Vodafone deal which is £25/month with a £115 giftcard. Install is 11th August. I did consider Plusnet but needed Digital Voice, not for us making calls but there's two elderly relatives who only use the landline number and Vodafone with DV was cheaper than Plusnet without.

Three households close by have had FTTP installed in the past few weeks and all of the Fibre installs have been carried out by Openreach although I have also seen MJ Quinn in other streets nearby. I'll be in when they come so I'll be able to keep an eye on things.

I'm going to buy a separate Mesh Wi-Fi system and set it up before the install, just deciding on Google Nest or a TP-Link system. Setting this up beforehand and changing the numerous passwords before the ISP switchover should at least reduce the time offline which will keep everybody happy.  

Hadn't seen this when I'm write my previous post. How annoying (for me). I was with Vodafone. As much as I tried I couldn't get them below £22 per month. I asked for £20 but they refused! They lost me for the sake of 48 quid over 2 years.

hareng

Bit late to the party, as cheap as you may think it is now, have you as with all these biggies worked in their above average yearly price hike. Smaller companies do not hike annually theyre fixed till end of the term.

Vodaphone via City Fibre

"from

£24

a month

Price increases to:

£27 on 1 April 2026

£30 on 1 April 2027"

Thats £6 hike in 18 months.

BT exactly the same 

"150Mbps

download speed

£30.99 a month

 

30Mbps upload

From 31 March 2026 £33.99

From 31 March 2027 £36.99"

Plus will need Halo to stand a chance of ANY customer Service.

For the record  did my own install signed off by Team Lead installer because i wanted it doing right.

My FTTP runs out end of Feb next year 150meg paying £21 p/m but they didnt drop my speed from 500meg prior.