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As in recent years the number of ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) has increased, with well-known names such as AOL, Tiscali, NTL and BT offering a range of services at differing prices. We decided we needed an ISP that could offer us a 1MB Internet connection, to ensure fast download ... Read review
Advantages: 1MB Fast Connection, Reliable 24-7, Fast Download times Disadvantages: Poor Technical Support
...as AOL, Tiscali, NTL and BT offering a range of services at differing prices. We decided we needed an ISP that could offer us a 1MB Internet connection, to ensure fast download times, and high-speed access.
*Comparisons – BT, AOL and Tiscali*
With BT and AOL you are required to run a postcode check, on there website, to see if you are able to connect to a 1MB Service. AOL also advised that you require either a BT Line ... ...you needed to be a BT Customer.
Prices: BT were the most expensive of the three at GBP38.00 a month (this includes a 1GBP discount for ordering online), AOL was priced at GBP34.99 and Tiscali didn’t appear to offer a 1mb line. Their best price was for a 512Kb at GBP24.99 a month.
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UPDATED - Price Check
Upon opening my latest piece of mail from BT, I was pleasantly surprised to see ... more
*Background*
My Partner recently started work as a web programmer, so we decided that we needed a reliable, and fast connection to the Internet, to enable him to work from home. We also wanted to take advantage of the many websites, allowing you to download game, movies and music.
We opted to use Broadband, as we needed a more reliable service than the standard 56kbps dial-up service. Basically broadband is a high-speed connection to the Internet that is active 24hours a day. It has a large capacity to send and receive files from the Internet and is considered to be a much faster service than dial-up.
As in recent years the number of ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) has increased, with well-known names such as AOL, Tiscali, NTL and BT offering a range of services at differing prices. We decided we needed an ISP that could offer us a 1MB Internet connection, to ensure fast download times, and high-speed access.
*Comparisons – BT, AOL and Tiscali*
With BT and AOL you are required to run a postcode check, on there website, to see if you are able to connect to a 1MB Service. AOL also advised that you require either a BT Line or live in an NTL Cabled area. Tiscali didn’t appear to offer this service, but also advised you needed to be a BT Customer.
Prices: BT were the most expensive of the three at GBP38.00 a month (this includes a 1GBP discount for ordering online), AOL was priced at GBP34.99 and Tiscali didn’t appear to offer a 1mb line. Their best price was for a 512Kb at GBP24.99 a month.
************** UPDATED - Price Check
Upon opening my latest piece of mail from BT, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they have reduced the price of their 1MB service from 1st July 2004.
The 1MB service is now being offered at GBP28.99, almost GBP10.00 cheaper than when I entered into the contract, but unlike some companies who require you to pay the same price regardless, BT have confirmed that my Direct Debit will now be reduced and that I will be paying the new lower charge.
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Connection: All three ISP’s, at the time this review was written, were offering free modem and free connection charges.
Features: All three ISP’s were offering very similar prices and connection charges, and listed the following under their range of features:
Safer surfing: Pop up ad blocked; Parental Controls; E-mail Virus protection;customised Internet; Personalised home page; Individual family accounts; Ad-free Internet Radio; and Instant Messenger.
*Personal choice*
After reviewing the options available to us, we decided to choose British Telecom. This was mainly a geographical choice as AOL were unable to offer us broadband, as we weren’t in an NTL cabled area, and Tiscali were unable to offer us a 1mb connection.
*BT Broadband*
We order our BT installation pack, via their online ordering system, on the 4th of the month, and we were advised that our installation pack (containing a modem, 2 micro filters, USB Adapter, Ethernet cable for networking and set-up guide and an installation CD) would be with us on the 15th. We were also advising that the BT line would be ready by 5pm on the 15th.
As advised, we received everything timely and in perfect condition. So on the evening of the 15th we tried to install the BT Broadband package. It didn’t work. Our connection was disrupted every minute, and we were unable to maintain a connection, at maximum, longer than 2 minutes. Undeniably frustrated we tried re-installing the complete package several times; using both the USB Cable and the Ethernet cable to connect. Eventually after 2 hours of trying, I phoned the free, 24hour service, BT Broadband help.
*Technical support*
Upon phoning the Technical Support line I was greeted by a friendly technical services assistant. He was very polite and helpful, and tried to help sort out the problems I was having. He ran through several possible scenarios, including the installation of the modem, my computer set-up, and how my modem was connected to the telephone line – i.e. was I using an extension cable. Apparently you are unable to use an extension cable over 30ft, although they neglected to mention this on the website. The technical services assistance also advised he was running several diagnostic tests at his end to see if he could see why I couldn’t connect for a reasonable period of time.
Basically he couldn’t fixed the problem, so transferred me to a different Technical Services department. They ran through the same questions and gave the same answer – they didn’t know why I couldn’t connect.
Eventually they advised they would send out an engineer to look at the main BT Phone Box (at the end of the road?) and was told I would be called back within 24 hours. I received no all back from either an engineer or BT.
On the 16th, an IT friend called round to see if he could diagnose what the problem was. He also tried ringing BT, and after talking to an idiot (His words not mine) he was told we would need to wait 17 working hours before our line would be able work. This was not acceptable, as we had already been promised that an engineer would look into the problem.
The 18th came, and we had been without service for 3 and 1.2 days, and seemed no closer to finding a solution for the problem. I tried ringing BT again, and after speaking to a Technical Support assistance was told an engineer needed to come to the house to fix the problem. This was indeed frustrating, as I had already been told an engineer was coming out, and now I was being told that this was never advised in the first place. Guess I was listening to a different phone conversation or BT were backtracking.
During these calls, I was advised to unplug my home phone line, in case this was causing interference with the line – resulting in having to use a mobile phone to call the Technical Support, and also resulting in a phone bill of over GBP10.00, all at my expenses.
*Engineer Assistance*
At last – someone who knew what they were doing. The engineer arrived promptly at the time requested was able to solve the connection problem. He tested his own laptop at several points along the line, and advising that the cables at the front of the house were damp, and corroded and therefore not capable of supporting a 1mb line. The engineer promptly changed the cables and installed new telephone sockets along the line, all the while explaining exactly what he was doing. A very refreshing change for BT.
*Connection*
Hurrah! Our connection was now restored and we were able to connect for 24 hours a day. Our service from the 1MB line has been very good. Web pages open fast and we are able to download files from the Internet much faster than using a standard dial-up. Apparently in most cases we will be able to download up to 20 times faster – we are still testing this J
*Summary*
Okay – so BT Broadband is slightly more expensive than AOL and Tiscali, but dependant upon your location it may be all you are able to get. This is the option we chose and although very disappointed over the Help line, and have been very impressed with the Internet connection itself. We have had no problems since, and have maintained a solid connection.
I have spoken to BT since, and they have also offered a refund of 1 days connection for every 2 days I was of line from my activation date.
I would recommend BT to a friend, because although we have experienced problems, they appear to have purely been related to the old phone connections in the house.
If you would like to find out more about the 1MB connection, then further information is available at BT's website.
****************** UPDATED - Usage Allowance
With respect to the price reduction BT have also advised they will be introducing a usage allowance. To quote BT "This is to enable us to offer our best possible price to customers".
The usage allowance is to be set at 30GB a month, this means that you can transfer (download) 30GB of data per month. According to BT this is approximately 6000 music tracks, so is quite a fair amount of data and will cover the majority of people's downloads.
The usage allowance is due to be applied from early 2005, but for customers who are close to the 30GB allowance, they will be offering further packages to incorporate this, and will be advising all customers of these changes nearer the time.
Advantages: Good Technical Support, Fast & Reliable Disadvantages: No SMTP support (details in the review), Cocked up Order, 12 Month Contract
...If you’ve read my BT review, you’ll know that I had a natty little device called a highway box – which did away with a conventional modem. Rather than having an annoying, beeping analogue jobbie which tied up my phone line, I had a digital ISDN connection to the internet – which connected within about 2 seconds. Although getting on-line was fast, you still had many of the pain in the arse choices you faced with an old modem. You could either shell ... ...engineering.
And that’s what BT have been doing for quite some time. They’ve installed a whole heap of new stuff at telephone exchanges which allows vast quantities of data to be beamed through our existing phone lines and sockets. Because BT own the majority of the telephone hardware, it would be unfair of them to have a complete monopoly on the ADSL market – so they are forced to sell this service to a whole host of new broadband providers.
Which ...
robert_parnham 08.04.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of BT Broadband
...as recently featured on watchdog BT was voted the best broadband provider. Not only that but has been voted the best provider for 3 years running. It has also been voted the best on reliability, so you know for sure you are going to get a guaranteed excellent service.
Though BT has a higher price compared to most other suppliers, I went for BT based on the service been reliable and was more than happy to pay extra for that security.
Going onto ... ...some free basic security and BT Digital Vault.
Option 2 and 8GB of Usage per month
£13.99 per month for the first 6 months then £22.99 thereafter with an 18 month term or £17.99 per month for the first 3 months and then £22.99
This option gives you a state of the art wireless hub for £25, inclusive UK calls on an evening and weekend via the broadband line, 250 openzone minutes per month worth £10, Norton Anti Virus worth around £40 and BT Digital ...
steven3001 06.04.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of BT Broadband
Advantages: Super-fast, generally reliable, easy setup Disadvantages: Beware hidden costs, technical support not great
...so (more on this later). BT Yahoo! Broadband was then the next obvious choice. BT is a large, reputably company that has made great strides to try and encourage people to convert to broadband, and as a newbie to home broadband it seemed the best place to start. As with almost all providers, you will need to sign a one-year contract for their service. However, BT attracted me for several reasons. At £29.99 per month for the 1Mbps service, it was a ... ...for the service via the BT broadband website, http://www.bt.com/broadband/bb_info.jsp. The process was quick and easy, beginning with a test for compatibility with your phone number, and has the advantage of the free connection and modem offer, which would have cost £25 if ordered via telephone. To get 1Mbps broadband, you will need to live within 4km (soon 6km) of your local exchange, though the online test will tell you instantly if you can receive ...
Drooboy 02.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of BT Broadband
Advantages: Cant Find any sorry Disadvantages: Foreign call centres, Slow service, over worked uk repair staff, expensive
...reading my Ciao review for BT Total Broadband, if you are considering this package, please read on before making any decisions, if, like me you have been severely let down by BT, then we need to do something about it!
This report touches on the BT service in general, and not just the Total Broadband part.
I am uploading this by 56k modem, and have lost the will to live as far as this company is concerned, so please excuse my style of writing.
... ...disaster for me as a BT customer:
2nd October 2006 : Return to UK from abroad 4th October 2006 Call BT requesting phone and internet service.
15th October 2006 Home Hub Arrives, connection on 20th October 2006
20th October 2006 Phone line works, Internet does not. Call BT helpline in India, on hold for 1Hr 30 mins, being helped setup internet, despite me saying I have an advanced knowledge of such things, call lasts 20 mins more. Engineer will ...
gt5952 21.10.2007 (30.10.2007)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of BT Broadband
Advantages: Easy to set up yourself (overlooking the fact you don't have a choice), fast(er/ish), FREE tech support and customer services (resembled sometimes in the quality) Disadvantages: 12 month contract (well I needed to put something)
...we shouldn't. We changed to BT broadband. For those people who are only intersted in my life END OF REVIEW.
However, if you would like to know more about BT broadband (which I presume is why you chose to read this opinion...and many thanks for doing so) please keep reading.
There are dozens of companies out there, all offering broadband. This list is endless/contains many companies/is infinite/is longer than a long piece of string held between ... ...changing. However, when we chose BT broadbands 512K service it was free, as was the modem. Modem costs can also vary between free and about sixty quid (that really takes the biscuit- but not just any biscuit. It would have to be McVities HobNobs for such a special occassion. After shelling out for broadband however I have heard 27p for Asda Samrt Price digestives aren't too bad). As you can see, you could be paying over one hundred of your finest ...
somebodyrandom 26.05.2004 (27.05.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of BT Broadband
