Broadband availability

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Hi Myth Many thanks for the phone call and for explaining everything to me. In respect of the experiment, so far, so good ...... so it looks as though your thoughts are correct on that particular problem! I'll let you know the end result when Gerry follows the rest of your advice.

Hi Peter It looks as though we are all at the mercy of the ISP's doesn't it?

Hi Dennis ...... I agree that BT are expensive, but two sayings spring into my mind.

1. Better the devil you know
2. If it ain't broke, don't fix it

OK, I admit that these are just excuses, but the thought of all the hassle of changing, fills me with horror ....... even poor Myth has had to 'wash his hands in despair'!

[Dennis Harker]

Diane,

Just looked at my last post again - apologies if it seemed somewhat critical. That was not intended - just my disbelief at BT rates.

I was with Wanadoo but they started (slowly) removing some of their facilities and they also had a lot of 'left hand' not knowing what 'right hand' was doing after they separated their group into different little companies. Some in UK, some in France and some in Madeira. Eventually I just emailed and asked for the Migration Authorisation Code which I received within 24 hours. Telephoned Homecall, gave them the MAC and two weeks later I was on Homecall broadband. Admittedly I already had my phone service with Homecall and that helps to get the lower price. Went to bed one night and was on Wanadoo broadband, woke up the following morning and was on Homecall. Just needed to change the log-in and password on the router.

I also know that Homecall have had some criticism (BBC1 Watchdog) but I've never had a problem with any of their services and now that they've just been taken over by Pipex I am more than happy with them.

As the saying goes, "horses for courses" and that's why we all have a choice.

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Diane,
Just looked at my last post again - apologies if it seemed somewhat critical. That was not intended - just my disbelief at BT rates.

Hi Dennis,

I do agree with you about BT's rates, so no apology is necessary.

"we are all at the mercy of the ISP's"

Hi Myth

Any news yet re your fixed 2MB product? Here is another 'snippet' from Big Bruv this morning:

I installed the Broadband Talk from BT.....very easy .... now I get free weekend and evening phone calls and it costs now't! Which for a Yorkie is the best!

It's all free as part of the free upgrade from 2 meg to 8 megs ....you get another little 'box' into which you plug a phone.

Apparently, BT give you the choice of upgrading or not, but as they will not be expecting anyone to refuse their offer, seeing as freebie phone calls are included in the package ....... will there really be a choice?

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Hi Myth

Oh dear ..... now I am confused! When Big Bruv and I first signed up with BT, about two years ago, the price was £29.99 p.m. but about twelve months ago, when they introduced Basic Broadband at £17.99 p.m. and put limits on, they 'automatically' gave us both a 15GB limit and reduced the price to £26.99p.m.

An option was given of 30GB at the old price, but an upgrade was needed for that ..... I didn't bother, but Big Bruv must have done it. I've scoured BT's website and I think this is the page you referred to:
Click Here:

However, this is My Account as per BT and I am paying £26. 99p.m according to my Bank Statements:

Product: BT Broadband Option 3 - Product details
Usage allowance: 20GB
Speed: up to 8Mb

I also found this:

5. What are BT's usage guidelines?
We have increased the usage guidelines for each of our Broadband products (effective from 15th Oct 2005):

Package: Monthly Usage Guideline:
BT Broadband Option 1, £17.99 2GB
BT Broadband Option 2, £22.99 6GB
BT Broadband Option 3, £26.99 20GB
BT Broadband Option 4, £29.99 40GB

Do they owe me some money then?

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

P.S. This monthly amount is paid by Direct Debit, by the way.

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Quote: That doesn't stop you phoning up and lying through your teeth

Me? Tell porkies? Never! Thanks for the info, but I daren't risk it. Knowing my luck (usually bad) BT will say OK, go with NTL. The first thing we did when we moved here, was phone NTL and ask them to take away their box on the wall, because I was furious when I found their cable buried 4" deep in the garden. In one place it's totally exposed and it's supposed to be 18" I think. When gardening, other people dig up bricks etc. whereas I always dig up cable!

As for the free phone calls, after reading about the equipment needed, I don't want them anyway. It's not worth the risk of messing up 'your successful experiment'.

I'm pleased that you managed to get the better of Brent Council.

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

I received the offer to register for up to 8Mb speed this morning from BT ..... my line test says I could get 6.5 Mb speed. Needless to say, I have 'filed away' this email in a new folder which I opened in My Documents, named *Things which BT will hopefully forget all about me* ...... 'cos I want to stay on a reliable 2Mb speed!

The magic of faster internet speed helps you make the most of a whole new world of opportunities - and BT is rolling out an enhancement that could speed up your service - with no change to your monthly cost1. To be one of the first to benefit from this enriched experience, you need to register your interest in new, faster BT Broadband, with up to 8Mb2 download speeds – approximately 160 times faster than standard dial-up. 8Mb Broadband is currently subject to local availability. If your line won’t support up to 8Mb, we’ll offer the best speed available on your line.

1 New 12-month contract applies. You may need to upgrade your modem or router to increase your speed.
2 Subject to line test. Availability of 8Mb speed is subject to various factors, e.g. distance from exchange and line test. Check availability