Hi, my name is Simon and I enjoy going to the pub and clubs as do most of us youths. However I like ...
Hi, my name is Simon and I enjoy going to the pub and clubs as do most of us youths. However I like to play badminton to keep fit and to keep my beer belly to a minimum
Member since:11.01.2001
Reviews:37
Members who trust:10
Well I know for a fact that a lot of people are a little wary of ntlworld because of all the nasty rumours that have been flying around at the moment. It is true that ntl have been having a few problems of late but I should imagine that the worst is over for now.
Now, I have a 56k modem which I use to dial up to connect to the ntl network and I must say I am rather impressed with the connection speed of 45 333 bps that it connects at. With ntlworld being an un-metered service I would have expected nothing more than 33 333 bps, as there would be a lot of people on the network night and day seen, as it costs “nothing”.
Just recently ntl have been updating their network and so some people have been having connection problems. At the worst point I was unable to connect for two days however I knew that I couldn’t complain really because I knew at the end of the day they are providing a “free” service.
Now those of you that don’t use ntlworld are probably now thinking well if this is “free” I have to get it, and why I keep putting “free” in inverted commas, well let explain how this “free” service actually comes about. First of all if you live in an ntl cabled area you are already at a rather large disadvantage. However if you are unable to receive ntl in your area you are in luck. Now what you have to do is ring ntl and ask them for a CD. You also have to agree to have your phone bill from them instead of BT. When this CD arrives obviously you have to install it and get you computer set-up. Then you have to decide whether you want to pay by direct debit or by credit card. Now here’s the catch, the MINIMUM bill for any one month is going to be £14.99. Now all you have to do is spend £14.99 on local calls and you have paid nothing for your Internet bill. If you are somewhat confused by this then read the rest of this paragraph, but if you aren’t then skip to the next. Now for those that were confused, ntl world are going to charge you £14.99 a month anyway but this also covers the first £14.99 of your phone bill. So you may aswell get £14.99 worth of calls used up because they aren’t going to charge you any extra, however if you run up more than £14.99 worth of calls you just pay that amount instead. Here’s an example. In September I run up a bill of £17.58 on my phone so at the beginning of October I am billed by ntl for £17.58. In October I only run up a bill of £7.46 so at the beginning of November I am billed for £14.99 because this is the MINIMUM charge. So really in October you paid £7.53 for your Internet bill, but in September you made a saving of £2.59. Confusing, I know.
Now to work out if it is worth you signing up, get a phone bill for one quarter of the year, take off the amount paid in line rental and then divide that by three and see what the amount is. If it is less than or equal to £14.99 then you should sign up but if it’s more I leave the decision to you.
All I have to say about it really is that I have been very pleased with it and have had no real cause to complain. I get a good connection speed and have no worries about a massive bill at the end of the month. There is only one small drawback with the service and that is that after two hours of being online then you are disconnected. But there is no real inconvenience here because you just push the reconnect button. I do suggest though that you download “download accelerator” from www.downloads.com because it would b annoying to lose a download. Read my op on this to see what it can do (hint, hint).
Well that’s it for now come back in a few days when I have done my op on Corfu (this is another hint).
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I say stick with good old BT. They cant do ya wrong.
blurbubble 19.09.2001 12:03
Great, detailed op :o) I've used NTL (phone and internet) for over a year now and have no complaints - by far the best I've used. Cheers :o)
Connoisseur_Haggler 19.09.2001 00:23
Well interesting initial point you made in your starting Para, there does appear to be a lot of unhappy NTL customers for various reasons, but that in no way makes 'your' opinion any less helpful. I happen to be an NTL customer,as you'll see from my opinion and pay £15 via BT but I use all my calls and you can make INternational calls, I call India a lot at over 40p/min I easily manage to rake up the minima of £15 a month, so my internet is free, sometimes I forget and may make only £5 of calls,but this is how I see it - I would still have to pay another ISP £14.99 just to use it (eg BT, AOL) so why not have free phone calls too?
Its not bad..considering..all the best have a great holiday,-CH
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Advantages: Er? Nope can't think of one Disadvantages: Customer service is appauling, once you actually get through, (usually about 20 mins), they promise you the earth and deliver nothing.
Cheekychicken 20.10.2001 (08.11.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of NTL
Advantages: Cheap calls, moderate line rental, free digital TV channels, cheap movies. Disadvantages: NO longer get free internet - one of their best fetures!
student9824 22.05.2001 (22.05.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of NTL
Sep 18th, 2001
very helpful by (97%):
helpful by (3%):
