BT broadband installation question.

My mother wants a laptop and wireless broadband for her birthday.
I am in the US, and don't know much about UK broadband.
She currently has BT phone service, so I assume it makes
sense to use BT broadband.

She will not be a heavy user, so the 17.99 a month basic service
should suffice. However, BT says that this will not work with wireless
service, and that I need to go with the 24.99 service for wireless.

Is this fundamental, or could I just use the modem supplied by BT
with a wireless router I supply myself? My niece is worried that the
modem might be USB. Is this a possibility? Does BT use PPPoE?

When I look at Amazon UK, they have a variety of wireless routers
including some with a built-in ADSL modem. If this works it would
be the neatest solution. How do I know for sure that the modem
in the router will work with BT's DSLAM, or or they all interchangeable?

I intend to bring the laptop from the US when I visit in a month, and
have anything else I might need drop shipped from Amazon UK.
How far in advance should I order service?

Thanks for considering my dumb questions, and thanks in advance
for any pointers / pitfall warnings.

Pete

On Sun, 3 Jul 2005 12:43:36 -0700,it is alleged that "Pete Fraser"
<(E-Mail Removed)> spake thusly in uk.telecom.broadband:

>My mother wants a laptop and wireless broadband for her birthday.
>I am in the US, and don't know much about UK broadband.
>She currently has BT phone service, so I assume it makes
>sense to use BT broadband.

Not necessarily, the market here is much more 'unbundled' than most
parts of the US, if you have a BT phoneline, almost any ADSL provider
is available to you for no extra charge, so it may pay to shop around
a little.
>
>She will not be a heavy user, so the 17.99 a month basic service
>should suffice. However, BT says that this will not work with wireless
>service, and that I need to go with the 24.99 service for wireless.

Hmm, BT are being strange there, whether or not you use wireless LAN
connections on your side of things is nothing to do with them really.
I have a 512k service from Virgin.net (whom I wouldn't recommend btw,
a little pricey compared with the others and sometimes have technical
issues). I have this set up via an ADSL modem/router combo unit,
admittedly it's wired 100baseTX ethernet, but the actual physical
layer is all that should be different, and that shouldn't affect the
routing so far as I know, others may have more specific knowledge
here.
>
>Is this fundamental, or could I just use the modem supplied by BT
>with a wireless router I supply myself? My niece is worried that the
>modem might be USB. Is this a possibility? Does BT use PPPoE?
>
See above, it shouldn't matter. Yep, the free modem is likely to be
USB only, and likely have windows and mac drivers, so the router
wouldn't be able to talk to it. BT (so far as I know) and most other
ADSL providers here in the UK use PPPoA (PPP over ATM) rather than
PPPoE as used in the US, most modems and routers can be configured for
either fairly easily, and the VPI/VCI settings _should_ be set up for
UK operation if it's supplied here, (they are VPI:0, VCI:38
respectively should you need to change them for any reason)

A combined adsl modem/wireless router is almost the same price as a
plain wireless router these days so there's not much reason not to get
one.

>When I look at Amazon UK, they have a variety of wireless routers
>including some with a built-in ADSL modem. If this works it would
>be the neatest solution. How do I know for sure that the modem
>in the router will work with BT's DSLAM, or or they all interchangeable?

Pretty much should be interchangeable if it's supplied in the UK.
About the only thing that would vary is the power adapter so far as I
know.
>
>I intend to bring the laptop from the US when I visit in a month, and
>have anything else I might need drop shipped from Amazon UK.
>How far in advance should I order service?
>

Don't know there, having never ordered anything from them, but one
word of warning about the laptop, open the laptop packaging, set it
up, and use it on the flight <g>, and don't tell customs it's a gift,
or they may try to nail you for duty on it.

>Thanks for considering my dumb questions, and thanks in advance
>for any pointers / pitfall warnings.
>

Good luck:-)

--
There are three things which I consider excellent advice. First, don't
smoke to excess. Second, don't drink to excess.
Third, don't marry to excess.
- Mark Twain

"Pete Fraser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> My mother wants a laptop and wireless broadband for her
> birthday. I am in the US, and don't know much about UK
> broadband. She currently has BT phone service, so I assume it
> makes sense to use BT broadband.
Not necessarily. Almost any ADSL service provider could be used.
IME PlusNet, Pipex and Demon have generally good reputations,
amongst others. Stay well clear of AOL.
http://www.broadband-help.com/cm_reviews.asp has review info.

>
> She will not be a heavy user, so the 17.99 a month basic service
> should suffice. However, BT says that this will not work with
> wireless service, and that I need to go with the 24.99 service
> for wireless.
BT are talking about their own service offerings. You can install
your own wireless access capability, but not using BT's modem
because it will probably be USB only.

>
> Is this fundamental, or could I just use the modem supplied by
> BT with a wireless router I supply myself? My niece is worried
> that the modem might be USB.
See response above.

>Is this a possibility? Does BT use PPPoE?
No, PPoA.

>
> When I look at Amazon UK, they have a variety of wireless
> routers including some with a built-in ADSL modem. If this works
> it would be the neatest solution. How do I know for sure that
> the modem in the router will work with BT's DSLAM, or or they
> all interchangeable?
If you buy a product intended for the UK market, it will (should!)
work with BT's kit. Suggest you look at Linksys, Netgear and 3Com
products, amongst others.
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/default.asp is a specialist site to
get you started.

>
> I intend to bring the laptop from the US when I visit in a
> month, and have anything else I might need drop shipped from
> Amazon UK. How far in advance should I order service?
IME most ISP's quote two weeks lead time, but usually get it in
place inside a week.

Pete Fraser wrote:
>
> My mother wants a laptop and wireless broadband for her birthday.
> I am in the US, and don't know much about UK broadband.
> She currently has BT phone service, so I assume it makes
> sense to use BT broadband.
>
> She will not be a heavy user, so the 17.99 a month basic service
> should suffice. However, BT says that this will not work with wireless
> service, and that I need to go with the 24.99 service for wireless.

On a BT line she will (probably [1]) have broadband operated by BT
wholesale but this is resold by many ISP's, of which one is BT retail.

BT talking rubbish. You should also note that low use packages come
cheaper (plus, f2s, ....at £15/m ) and that the BT basic does NOT
include email servers unlike almost everything else on offer, she would
be stuck with using webmail.

>
> Is this fundamental, or could I just use the modem supplied by BT
> with a wireless router I supply myself? My niece is worried that the
> modem might be USB. Is this a possibility? Does BT use PPPoE?

Unless you want complications, buy a UK wireless ADSL modem router
through a UK vendor. The 'free' modems on offer will most likely be
wired USB. Don't forget a network lead to get things going before going
to air.
See the supplier list on ADSLguide.co.uk, I used broadbandbuyer.co.uk
for my hardware.

>
> When I look at Amazon UK, they have a variety of wireless routers
> including some with a built-in ADSL modem. If this works it would
> be the neatest solution. How do I know for sure that the modem
> in the router will work with BT's DSLAM, or or they all interchangeable?

UK sourced should be OK, and have UK compliance.

>
> I intend to bring the laptop from the US when I visit in a month, and
> have anything else I might need drop shipped from Amazon UK.
> How far in advance should I order service?
>
> Thanks for considering my dumb questions, and thanks in advance
> for any pointers / pitfall warnings.
>
> Pete

Your order for ADSL should be a week in advance, unless she has a DACS
or similar problem. Run her phone number on the BT broadband checker.
Any earlier and it might be up before you get here. Then she might have
problems with the phones unless she is up to putting the filters in.

[1] you may wish to ignore this option, but on some exchanges other
operators can supply direct through 'LLU'.

Bill

On Sun, 3 Jul 2005 12:43:36 -0700, "Pete Fraser" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

> so I assume it makes
>sense to use BT broadband.

a common mistake.

>She will not be a heavy user, so the 17.99 a month basic service
>should suffice. However, BT says that this will not work with wireless
>service, and that I need to go with the 24.99 service for wireless.

all the proof you need. They don't "support" networking but it will of
course work. >100 ISPs to choose from, www.plus.net and
www.metronet.co.uk worth considering.

>Is this fundamental, or could I just use the modem supplied by BT
>with a wireless router I supply myself? My niece is worried that the
>modem might be USB. Is this a possibility? Does BT use PPPoE?

generally PPPoA. Get a combined ADSL modem/router, ethernet modems are
unusual here and extra hassle.

>When I look at Amazon UK, they have a variety of wireless routers
>including some with a built-in ADSL modem. If this works it would
>be the neatest solution. How do I know for sure that the modem
>in the router will work with BT's DSLAM, or or they all interchangeable?

G.dmt ADSL is the thing to look for, if its sold in the UK it should
be fine. If importing make sure the PSU can handle 240V.

Phil
--
Tiscali - dialup speeds at Broadband prices, see
http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist...&Board=tiscali

AOL - the unlimited ISP of choice for heavy downloaders.

"McSpreader" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Xns9688D8543BAA2McP@62.253.162.201...
> "Pete Fraser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> news:(E-Mail Removed):
>
>> My mother wants a laptop and wireless broadband for her
>> birthday. I am in the US, and don't know much about UK
>> broadband. She currently has BT phone service, so I assume it
>> makes sense to use BT broadband.
> Not necessarily. Almost any ADSL service provider could be used.
> IME PlusNet, Pipex and Demon have generally good reputations,
> amongst others. Stay well clear of AOL.
> http://www.broadband-help.com/cm_reviews.asp has review info.

I can recommend PlusNet's £14.99/month Broadband Lite package - this gives
up to 2 Mbit/sec (depending on line conditions) and 1 GB/month download. I'm
very pleased with mine. Fast data transfer (typically 1.4-2 Mbit/sec
transfer on my 2 Mbit/sec line, depending on contention) and helpful,
non-patronising support staff. I'm actually with a sub-division of PlusNet
called Force 9, but I presume my comments are relevant to PlusNet as well.

I can recommend a Netgear DG834G router: very easy to set up because it has
a wizard that tries all the different broadband parameters (encapsualtion,
VPI/VCI, PPPoA/PPPoE) automatically so you don't need to enter all of these
automatically. If she's not intending to use wireless, I'd strongly suggest
switching off the access point in the router for maximum security; if she is
going to use wireless, make sure she uses WPA-PSK encryption - don't leave
the wireless unencrypted.

As far as I can see, from a technical point of view how and who
supply your internet services is irelevant as to whether you
have a wireless network or not.

The connection from your computer to the 'socket' in the wall is
self dependant, outside issues (like ISP or connection type *should*
be irrelevant, if it isn't something is seriousllllly wrong.


"Pete Fraser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> My mother wants a laptop and wireless broadband for her birthday.
> I am in the US, and don't know much about UK broadband.
> She currently has BT phone service, so I assume it makes
> sense to use BT broadband.
>
> She will not be a heavy user, so the 17.99 a month basic service
> should suffice. However, BT says that this will not work with wireless
> service, and that I need to go with the 24.99 service for wireless.
>
> Is this fundamental, or could I just use the modem supplied by BT
> with a wireless router I supply myself? My niece is worried that the
> modem might be USB. Is this a possibility? Does BT use PPPoE?
>
> When I look at Amazon UK, they have a variety of wireless routers
> including some with a built-in ADSL modem. If this works it would
> be the neatest solution. How do I know for sure that the modem
> in the router will work with BT's DSLAM, or or they all interchangeable?
>
> I intend to bring the laptop from the US when I visit in a month, and
> have anything else I might need drop shipped from Amazon UK.
> How far in advance should I order service?
>
> Thanks for considering my dumb questions, and thanks in advance
> for any pointers / pitfall warnings.
>
> Pete
>
>

Put another way BT are crooks/criminals/fraudsters call em what you will.

"Donald McTrevor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:_LYxe.16632$(E-Mail Removed)...
> As far as I can see, from a technical point of view how and who
> supply your internet services is irelevant as to whether you
> have a wireless network or not.
>
> The connection from your computer to the 'socket' in the wall is
> self dependant, outside issues (like ISP or connection type *should*
> be irrelevant, if it isn't something is seriousllllly wrong.
>
>
> "Pete Fraser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > My mother wants a laptop and wireless broadband for her birthday.
> > I am in the US, and don't know much about UK broadband.
> > She currently has BT phone service, so I assume it makes
> > sense to use BT broadband.
> >
> > She will not be a heavy user, so the 17.99 a month basic service
> > should suffice. However, BT says that this will not work with wireless
> > service, and that I need to go with the 24.99 service for wireless.
> >
> > Is this fundamental, or could I just use the modem supplied by BT
> > with a wireless router I supply myself? My niece is worried that the
> > modem might be USB. Is this a possibility? Does BT use PPPoE?
> >
> > When I look at Amazon UK, they have a variety of wireless routers
> > including some with a built-in ADSL modem. If this works it would
> > be the neatest solution. How do I know for sure that the modem
> > in the router will work with BT's DSLAM, or or they all interchangeable?
> >
> > I intend to bring the laptop from the US when I visit in a month, and
> > have anything else I might need drop shipped from Amazon UK.
> > How far in advance should I order service?
> >
> > Thanks for considering my dumb questions, and thanks in advance
> > for any pointers / pitfall warnings.
> >
> > Pete
> >
> >
>
>

"Martin Underwood" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:42c84ce5$0$41915$(E-Mail Removed)...

>
> I can recommend PlusNet's £14.99/month Broadband Lite package - this gives
> up to 2 Mbit/sec (depending on line conditions) and 1 GB/month download.
> I'm very pleased with mine. Fast data transfer (typically 1.4-2 Mbit/sec
> transfer on my 2 Mbit/sec line, depending on contention) and helpful,
> non-patronising support staff. I'm actually with a sub-division of PlusNet
> called Force 9, but I presume my comments are relevant to PlusNet as well.

Thanks. PlusNet talk about "50:1 network contention" and giving priority
to e-mail and web browsing during congestion. I'm not sure what the 50:1
means, but I'm slightly worried things may grind to a halt sometimes.

> I can recommend a Netgear DG834G router: very easy to set up because it
> has a wizard that tries all the different broadband parameters
> (encapsualtion, VPI/VCI, PPPoA/PPPoE) automatically so you don't need to
> enter all of these automatically.

A DG834G is on its way. Thanks for the rec.

> If she's not intending to use wireless, I'd strongly suggest switching off
> the access point in the router for maximum security; if she is going to
> use wireless, make sure she uses WPA-PSK encryption - don't leave the
> wireless unencrypted.

She will use wireless, but I'll be sure to protect it.

Thanks

"Bill" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:42C84AA2.B2A78EF1@genLUNCHEONMEATBANNEDsheet. co.uk...

> BT talking rubbish. You should also note that low use packages come
> cheaper (plus, f2s, ....at £15/m ) and that the BT basic does NOT
> include email servers unlike almost everything else on offer, she would
> be stuck with using webmail.

That sucks. The other packages I've been looking at proudly talk
about their web-based e-mail, but I assumed that was in addition to POP.
Nobody seems to mention POP explicitly, or newsservers.

>
> Your order for ADSL should be a week in advance, unless she has a DACS
> or similar problem.

DACS?

> Run her phone number on the BT broadband checker.

Did that. Seems OK.

> Any earlier and it might be up before you get here. Then she might have
> problems with the phones unless she is up to putting the filters in.

Is this all RJ-11 nowadays, or are many phones still hard-wired into boxes?

Thanks for all your help.

Pete