Moving from Zen...Madasafish, Sky or Virgin ??

Aliktren

So, we've been combing through the ol' bank statements a bit lately in the annual round of what can be saved where (so far 150 quid saved on the house insurance renewal!!)

We've been looking at our telco costs and they are getting a bit steep, our average BT bill is 25 quid a month, and we're paying another 25 quid for Zen broadband, now, I'll say right from the start that Zen are great, I'll be sad to part ways with them, but we need to economise now that we have a little babe.

So, I started looking round at different deals, and so far have it down to three,

Sky, where we appear to be able to get sky tv, unlimited broadband, and phone for 26 quid a month plus 11 BT line rental = 37 quid or thereabouts

Virgin, where it looks like for £19.99 we can get unlimited calls and unlimited broadband, not sure about the line rental, but even if it's needed it's still only 31 quid

Madasafish, where for 35.99 we can get anytime talk and 40GB broadband allowance (rising by another fiver after 6 months) - but no line rental from BT

The problem is, Madasafish is the more expensive but makes me feel safer with the broadband as they appear to have a better reputation, we dont especially want sky tv and we'd probably have to junk our PVR which we only bought last year and pay for a sky+ box, or we go with virgin, which appears to be the best value all round, but reading through the googles both Sky and Virgin dont seem to have too many happy broadband customers (in case you hadnt guessed I work from home and use the net a lot for leisure so it's critical I have good service)

So, what do you all reckon???, on a straight moneysaving standpoint we should go with Virgin shouldn't we ? - any of these packages look to save us in the region of at least £120 a year, thoughts, alternatives ??

Aliktren

hmm, ok, talktalk, also at 24.99 which actually includes all calls plus 100 minutes to a mobile!!, but I hear they also suck for broadband

abwsco

Have you looked at Primus or 1899 etc for your phone. I'm in the process of moving from Zen to O2 - due to go active on the 3rd March but have decided to stay with BT cheapest option and primus and 1899 etc. Like you only leaving Zen due to the cost. My phone bill is around £15. Sorry, not answered your question have I:o

Inactive

If you value your BB connection, stay with Zen, BB is a service not a tin of beans, you are not comparing like with like.

..and no, I am not a Zen customer, but they are highly respected for their excellent service.

Aliktren

I know that, it's a straight finacial decision, we have to compromise so it's how far we're willing to go, if I cant have the best whats the next best ? - If the question had been "whats the best broadband" then I'd have stuck with Zen

Inactive

You can get a service as good as, if not better than Zen from IDNet from £14.99 a month, no long stitch in contract, just a month, and yes I am with IDNet.

I am on the £17.99 a month tariff.

A free month for anyone booking in February.

IDNet are one of the very best ISP's.

ThinkBroadband comparison from actual users.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/isp/compare.html?isp_16=1&isp_17=1&isp_84=1&isp_6=1&commit=Compare

Quentin

What about o2 for the broadband - only £12.50 a month. (£7.50 if you have an o2 payg and top up £10 every 3 months or contract).

You get unlimited downloads plus free connection + free wireless router. Up to 8 meg, or £2.50 more a month for up to 16 meg.

kendalls_cave

I wanted to go with IDnet, but if I've read it correctly they don't take Maestro cards for DD's, and a Maestro card is all I have due to debts and bad credit rating

Due to a change in bank policy we can no longer accept Maestro or Solo cards for regular monthly payments.

A shame really as they look great

Inactive

kendalls_cave wrote: »

I wanted to go with IDnet, but if I've read it correctly they don't take Maestro cards for DD's, and a Maestro card is all I have due to debts and bad credit rating

Not sure, they do Credit Cards and Direct Debit, have a word with them, they are so helpful and friendly.

Mike_by_the_Sea

Hi Aliktren

Looks like the broadband options have been covered. What sort of usage and speed is important for your use?

Also, what option are you on with BT and calls that costs £25 a month?

There may be better options with more info.

Happy saving

Mike

Aliktren

Hi Mike

It needs to be 4mb and at least 20gb per month, no equipment, support not especially important in terms of setting up but reliability is important

The 25 quid for voice was taken from a quick look at our bank statements for the last few months and was our average bill from BT for line rental and calls