BT Broadband

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BT Total Broadband

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5 Apr 6th, 2007 

16 Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful

Advantages:
Reliability

Disadvantages:
Price

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

Quality of site content

Technical support quality

Ease of installation

Range of services (e.g. web-space, email)

Access & availability of service

Value for money

steven3001

steven3001

About me:

I'm Wyatt, 24 living in Sheffield

Member since:02.02.2003

Reviews:15

Members who trust:5

Providing an excellent complete total broadband service, that is reliable, from a company you know and trust and offers more than any other supplier.

As you may be or may not be aware 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 price first of all

Option 1 and 5GB of Usage per month

£8.95 per month for the first 6 months then £17.99 thereafter, with an 18 month term or £12.99 per month for the first 3 months and then £17.99

This option gives you a state of the art wireless hub for £50 or a voyager modem for £25, inclusive UK calls on an evening and weekend via the broadband line, 250 openzone minutes per month worth £10, 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 Vault.

Option 3 - UNLIMITED

£18.99 per month for the first 6 months then £26.99 thereafter with an 18 month term or £22.99 for the first 3 months and then £26.99

This open gives you a state of the art wireless hub, a cordless hub handset for £0, 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 Vault

So what are all above items

THE HUB - A state of the art wireless rooter worth around £90, this can be used as a wired connection as well, it comes with built in protection to stop other people using your wireless connection. The lengh of the connection indoors is up to 50 meters and outdoors is up to 300 meters.

THE HUB HANDSET- A cordless stylish handset worth £79.99, this allows you to use your broadband talk line and take advanage of the free uk calls as well as discounted international calls. The phone features phone book, caller display, ringtones and more. PLEASE NOTE. If you take this on OPTION 1 OR 2 at the time of placing an order it will only cost you £49.99 or its £79.99 it taken after, remember its free on OPTION 3

UK CALLS - The broadband line is like a normal phone line that works over your internet connection, provided on all 3 options you will get the evening and weekend plan to any uk numbers from 6pm on an evening and all weekend. Usually £3.95 per month on BT Together Option 1, You can also be provided with Unlimited UK calls 24 hours a day for a small fee of £4.95, usually £9.95 via your BT line.

OPENZONE MINUTES - Allowes you to use your internet in the house as well as out of the house, with 250 free minutes each month or 4000 a year your given a username and password that allows you to take your laptop into wireless hotspots and search the net for free, be it a hotel, coffee shop or even Mc Donalds, if they are wireless enabled.

NORTON - Anti Virus and Firewall protection, can be purchased in most PC stores or directly from norton for around £30 to £40, giving you constant virus protection and firewall to stop people hacking into your PC.

DIGITAL VAULT - As it says, a vault on the internet that allows you you to store MP3 songs, pictures, documents, videos and more. If your PC breaks or you lose date they can all be backed up the vault. Your given 2GB for free or for £4.99 you can have 20GB. The vault can be accessed worldwide meaning you can also share your items with friends and family across the globe.

SOFTPHONE - An item that is installed onto your desktop allowing you to also make calls via your PC using a headset. The softphone facility also allows video calls.

What else can I purchase with my Broadband from BT?

HOME INSTALL - For a small charge of £50 for a 1 hour appointment you can have an engineer come out to your house and set up your broadband for you, including setting up your wireless, email, norton (if provided) broadband talk and a demonstration of how to use the internet and the help facilities.

HOME IT ADVISOR - £9.99 per month, gives you a free phone number open from 8am till 11pm 7 days a week 365 days a year. At hand to solve all your IT issues, virus issues, network set up and more including remote access of your PC. Worthwhile to have if your a new user to the internet. 3 month minimum term

BT NET PROTECT - If you have only taken option 1 broadband, then this is for your, Anti Virus and Firefall provided by norton and just charged on a monthly basis with no minimum term

What will the speed of my broadband be?

The speed will be up to 8mb. This depends on a number of factors including the lengh of the line to the exchange and the quality of the line. If you contact BT on 0800 800 150 and have a quick test done or go to www.bt.com, they will be able to run a line test and advise what speed you get.

What is the usage allowance?

This only applies to option 1 and 2. It is based on everything you do on the internet, browsing, playing games, downloading are a few examples. The best way to describe how this is used is for example that you were to download a full movie, this may use 1GB of your allowance.

Do I get email?

Option 1 - 5 email accounts
Option 2 - 5 email accounts
Option 3 - 11 email accounts

How long does it take BT to provide my service?

This will usually take 5 working days from the day you place your order, so if you place it o a Friday, it would be activated for the following Friday and your equipment would be delivered the same day.

What do you mean usually?

There are occassions when this could be delayed, maybe work needs to be carried out on your line or exchange. If there is a marker on the line, meaning someone has had broadband before then this needs to be removed, something that can be arranged for you.

What comes in my pack?

Your pack will include your modem or rooter, an installation CD, an installation guide, all the cables required (it does not include a USB wireless adapter)

Is it easy to install?

On average BT says it will take 8 minutes to install, this will vary from person to person and how slow or fast your PC is. In terms of where all the stuff needs to go, that is simple and straight forward and the installation guide points you to where everything needs to go.

What about technical support?

This is open around the clock 24 hours a day and can be contacted on 0845 600 7030 and will assist in any broadband related issues you have including faults and setting up your broadband

Explaing the broadband line?

This is a second line over the internet in which you are given a broadband telephone number as well. You would simply plug a phone into your rooter/modem or use the hub phone if you have taken this and simple as that. Once activated you can make calls as usual. These details would be sent via email to you with a link to then activate the service. Any calls you make via the broadband that are chargable simply appear on your BT bill.

How must I pay for my service.

BT only accept new customers on a direct debit for broadband, this is not the case if your an existing broadband customer with BT.

How reliable is the service?

BT is excellent in providing a very reliable service as this has also been voted for, for 3 years running and as featured on watchdog in 2007. Any updates they do to the network are done through the night. Bearing in mind as with any company in the market there will be times when service maybe down or effected but its usually a very rare case with BT and when it has been down its usually minutes rather than hours.

What if I want to switch to BT from another broadband supplier?

You will need to contact your current supplier for a MAC, usually this would be sent in the post. New laws are in place now that means every company must provide one at your request. Once you have this, simply supply to BT to arrange the transfer. Make sure you are not in a contract with your current supplier.


BT Total Broadband really do supply you with a more complete package, they are not there just to give you your broadband and that is it like most supplies, they are giving you everything you could need and more to give you a fantastic service. Who else can provide you with

BROADBAND
FREE UK CALLS
DIGITAL VAULT
OPENZONE MINUTES
THE HUB AND HUB HANDSET - Exclusive to BT
NORTON SECURITY
EMAIL ACCOUNTS
UP TO 8MB SPEED
ID SUPPORT
24 HOUR TECH SUPPORT

and other services available to add.

As mentioned though, the price is quite expensive but im sure in the future they will be reduced. You make that choice. You really do pay for what you get and a cheaper service usually means a poorer service. All you have to do is google it and see yourself.

Ive so far come across no issues with BT Total Broadband, and for those of you who may have seen a lot of complaints about BT Broadband, bear in mind, they still have the largest amount of customers so are therefore going to have more complaints but overall the service is excellent and I hope to have to never change my service.

ORDER NOW 0800 800 150 and press the option for Broadband Sales.
 

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Comments about this review »

Mitsudan 17.06.2007 20:25

Excellent review - I should think about switching from Orange.

grafter123 08.04.2007 10:59

Really good review - we are stuck with karoo because of where we live..........eiley

bean372042 06.04.2007 13:09

Really informative review, I have had a really good experience with BT. I think you explained everything well.. Jean X



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