Hi! I'm Ed, I've been away from Ciao for several months but now have the time to get writing / revie...
Hi! I'm Ed, I've been away from Ciao for several months but now have the time to get writing / reviewing again!
Member since:09.07.2001
Reviews:26
Members who trust:11
* INTRO *
Hi there folks. As a student I’m always looking for the cheapest way to do something. However, I have soon learnt that the cheapest way, despite being the most tempting, is not always the best. Having spent two years using NTL as my phone provider and thinking BT was too expensive by far, I have now seen otherwise and learnt not be fooled by NTLs price promises.
* THE FACTS *
Fact, NTL are cheaper than BT but they care little for their customers and in my opinion they are simply a moneymaking organization who have no intention of supplying a fair service.
Fact, BT is slightly pricier but what you get is well worth it. The customer service is polite, quick and made simple. BT's call plans ensure you get the right package to suit your level of phone usage. The 'Friends and Family' options saves money on frequently used numbers, you can have 5 international numbers (10% discount), 1 mobile number (10% discount), 8 LAN lines (10% discount) and one 'best friend' LAN line (20% discount). BT TalkTogether, the package I use is £14.99 a month and that gives me all local calls for free and 50% off national calls. With 'friends and family' discounts on top of these deductions calling people becomes very affordable.
* INTERNET *
Also BT offers free Internet connection (weekday evenings after 6 and all day at weekends) for just £10-15 (BT Anytime) a month. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone unless you are a reasonably heavy user of the Internet; i.e. you log on to Ciao regularly!
With NTL Internet connection is free all the time, assuming you can get the CD provided to work. Connection is slow and unreliable and you are logged off automatically after two hours of usage. This can be very annoying if you are downloading large programs that take over two hours (However, software is available to combat this).
* MY EXPERIENCES * I called BT requesting re-connection to their service and within two hours everything was sorted (our phone was activated) and a letter came through the door within 2-3 working days. The letter gave clear details and instructions on what was to happen next with regard to payment and an explanation of the services we have installed.
When connecting to NTL, it took over a month to get an engineer round and do 20 minutes work. They were unprofessional, untidy and as we were students seemingly disrespectful towards us.
* UPDATE * Also want to inform you of BTs 1571 service, previously at a cost and now free of charge (Thanks Dan*e). Simply dial 1571 into your phone today and take down the 0800 number given, call that number and subscribe to the service, it should take 10 days to be activated.
The service is basically a voicemail service for your phone. If you are engaged or miss a call the person ringing can leave a message. When you have a message stored on your phone and it rings it will do so with a different tone so that you know a message needs to be listened to. To listen to messages simply dial 1571; this call is also free.
This increase in BTs services make it a strong candidate in anyone’s choice of phone providers.
Just wanted to voice this opinion and keep those who are undecided in the picture.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Fair opinion Eddie, in fact very fair indeed. I've just written an opinion on NTL and have had it up to here with them. What I can't understand is the fact that a basic telecoms company take so long to answer the bloody phone itself when a customer has a problem! I'm off back to BT I think (at least they speak to you!) - if you fancy hearing more of my personal gripe with NTL - check out my review! You did a great op, by the way!
quoia 10.08.2001 15:32
Good op, although depending upon quantity of calls, destination and duration, BT can be significantly cheaper than NTL, especially if you take into account Friends and Family. I currently have both BT and NTL phone lines and 99% of all calls are made on the BT line. Additionally I think you could do with clarifying the BT Internet Surftime/Anytime packages, costs and access times etc. It is not very clear. VH. Dave
KathrynE 26.07.2001 22:11
Loads better Eddie, I think you will become a valued member here! Its refreshing to see someone writing a positive opinion about BT all too often ops are mere rants about the high prices. I too was pleased to hear that there is now a free 1571 service, although I have the pay version, I was just about to buy my mum an answering machine!
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Jul 11th, 2001
(Oct 1st, 2001)
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