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General => Computers / Internet => Topic started by: Garden Manager on July 14, 2009, 18:49:19

Title: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: Garden Manager on July 14, 2009, 18:49:19
After suffering from regular disconnections of late we have decided to look into changing our ISP from AOL to something better. In investigation though  finding something similar which is better value for money than AOL seems somewhat of a minefield.

What we want is:

High connection speed (around 8mbps)

Unlimited downloads

Availabilty of the above in out area (this appears to vary).

Good (ideally free) customer support.

No setup charges and ease of set up

Value for money and reliability

What we dont want is:

A telephone service (happy with the one we have from BT thanks)

Slow connection

Limited downloads

Unreliable connection and poor value for money.

Premium rate customer service phone calls

Other addons that push up the price.

Monthly fee of more than £25 per month

Can anyone recomend a provider that fits the bill? (no pun intended). Bit of a tall order I know.

Thanks

PS: Have investigated O2, Sky and BT and found to be unsuitable
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: BarriedaleNick on July 15, 2009, 12:44:11
I have been with Demon for over 12 years and I think they are very good.
http://www.demon.net/demon/products/internetaccess/broadband/home (http://www.demon.net/demon/products/internetaccess/broadband/home)

No setup fees - free router - unlimited (they do have a far use policy but I download 10s of Gb every month with no issues). Support is in India but it costs 10 p a min

Also check http://www.broadband-finder.co.uk/  (http://also%20check%20http://www.broadband-finder.co.uk/) or http://www.ispreview.co.uk/ (http://www.ispreview.co.uk/) for comparisions between ISPs
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: manicscousers on July 15, 2009, 18:20:18
been with a few but very satisfied with virgin  :)
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: Uncle Joshua on July 15, 2009, 19:58:53
BT'S homehub always needed rebooting for me, Virgin isn't bad but costs too much, Talktalk while hosted bu AOL is very cheap (£7.00 per month) and mine hasn't dropped off in the six weeks we've had it.
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: jimtheworzel on July 15, 2009, 20:43:40

T  mobile   £15 Month
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: dtw on July 21, 2009, 23:17:13
The speed you get is dependant on how far you are from the exchange, nothing to do with supplier.
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: tiger47 on August 03, 2009, 12:32:25
I have had appalling service from Tiscali which will now become Talk Talk , i will not be staying with them long term .
Take a look at BE if you need an Unlimited package with a good up speed ...

https://www.bethere.co.uk/web/beportal/homepage

Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: Mr Smith on August 03, 2009, 12:55:50
We are in this exact position with BT can someone direct me to a provider with call centres and contacts in the UK, 
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: Sholls on August 03, 2009, 13:22:30
Quote from: Mr Smith on August 03, 2009, 12:55:50
We are in this exact position with BT can someone direct me to a provider with call centres and contacts in the UK, 

I've been with Eclipse internet (http://www.eclipse.net.uk/help-and-support/contact-us.cfm) for several years (sadly, the generous subscription package I'm on is no longer offered), their call centre is somewhere near Exeter.

My experience has been positive, I've only had to call twice the entire time I've been with them; once to technical support where I queued for less than two minutes, the other to customer services who (much to my surprise) picked up straight away.
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: Garden Manager on August 04, 2009, 12:22:22
Thanks for replies. Still a bit of a minefield though isnt it? Even with the extra info and recomendations are still not sure what to do. Demon looks interesting, have been recomended it by someone else too.

Any other help or advice woud be appreciated.

Thanks
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: Larkshall on August 24, 2009, 09:53:38
Quote from: tiger47 on August 03, 2009, 12:32:25
I have had appalling service from Tiscali which will now become Talk Talk , i will not be staying with them long term .
Take a look at BE if you need an Unlimited package with a good up speed ...

https://www.bethere.co.uk/web/beportal/homepage



I've been with Tiscali for several years, the only problem I've had is when BT Openreach broke my line when connecting a new line next door. I notified Tiscali (by mobile phone) and they got BT Openreach to reinstate it within 24hrs (and gave me a £6.00 credit).
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: Nemesia on August 24, 2009, 11:21:02
I use AOL which seems to have a bad name but I have been with them for ten years and only had to ask for help a couple of times. I send emails and they respond by email which is great  One of the Techie lads on MSE told me to haggle with them about my subscription when I was changing to Broadband. I did and it worked.  I pay by credit card each month £6.99 (they take it, I don't have to remember) and I also got a free router.  Talk Talk now own the UK part of AOL.  By the way the help is free.

Re telephone calls - we are low users and our monthly bill is between £2-4 - amazing. This is with Primus. The price for Australia is only 4p minute, same as Spain and many other places. Have a look at their web site. They are called Planet Talk/Primus.

I can't find the speed right now but can come back if you wish. I bought a Sony laptop last Christmas.

Finally, it is recommended to stay with BT (on MSE) in the event of any phone problems. I pay them £12 month. Total therefore about £21/22 which includes phone calls.
Title: Re: Changing Internet Service Provider
Post by: steve76 on August 24, 2009, 12:53:45
Ntl or virgin as they are called now got the whole package with them and have never had a major problem with thembeen with them 5yrs +