ISP advise..

hey,

I recently tried getting NTL/virgin cable installed in my apartment
but the engineer came out to find out that its not available in my
building.

That was 3months ago...

Ive since been trying to find the best deal with ADSL. I don't have a
line hooked up (but its there, used to be connected with BT), and it
looks like I'm goin to have to pay roughly £11 p/m line rental +
broadband.

Are there any services that offer broadband and a phone service
without using BT for line rental? Or something affordable? I was
considering Skys offer of £26 a month for 6packages and free
broadband, which would come to £37 a month? Although I have heard bad
reviews about sky. I need broadband thats going to be half decent,
the Sky offer seems logical since I'd probably end up paying around
the same price for line rental+ a different broadband service.


Any advise would be great, I don't want to end up in a contract with
unreliable broadband.

thanks in advance...

"scotty" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
hey,

I recently tried getting NTL/virgin cable installed in my apartment
but the engineer came out to find out that its not available in my
building.

That was 3months ago...

Ive since been trying to find the best deal with ADSL. I don't have a
line hooked up (but its there, used to be connected with BT), and it
looks like I'm goin to have to pay roughly £11 p/m line rental +
broadband.

Are there any services that offer broadband and a phone service
without using BT for line rental? Or something affordable? I was
considering Skys offer of £26 a month for 6packages and free
broadband, which would come to £37 a month? Although I have heard bad
reviews about sky. I need broadband thats going to be half decent,
the Sky offer seems logical since I'd probably end up paying around
the same price for line rental+ a different broadband service.


Any advise would be great, I don't want to end up in a contract with
unreliable broadband.

thanks in advance...

In short, no.
You either need cable from Virgin or a BT phone line.
Seeing as you can't get cable, you'll need a BT line to get connected.
For ISPs, have a look at comparisons on www.thinkbroadband.com

George

> In short, no.
> You either need cable from Virgin or a BT phone line.
> Seeing as you can't get cable, you'll need a BT line to get connected.
> For ISPs, have a look at comparisons onwww.thinkbroadband.com
>
> George


Unfortunately google is the only outside site I can access in work so
I can't check that site out.

Does anyone know of any bundles BT offer inc broadband? I live across
the road from the exchange so im assuming BT might be the better
choice. If not, sky might be my better choice (tv and broadband for
same price). Do sky use the same exchange? I mean, would I notice a
difference in the connections(bt vs sky)?


Thanks again.

scotty wrote:
> hey,
>
> I recently tried getting NTL/virgin cable installed in my apartment
> but the engineer came out to find out that its not available in my
> building.
>
> That was 3months ago...
>
> Ive since been trying to find the best deal with ADSL. I don't have a
> line hooked up (but its there, used to be connected with BT), and it
> looks like I'm goin to have to pay roughly £11 p/m line rental +
> broadband.
>
> Are there any services that offer broadband and a phone service
> without using BT for line rental? Or something affordable? I was
> considering Skys offer of £26 a month for 6packages and free
> broadband, which would come to £37 a month? Although I have heard bad
> reviews about sky. I need broadband thats going to be half decent,
> the Sky offer seems logical since I'd probably end up paying around
> the same price for line rental+ a different broadband service.
>
>
> Any advise would be great, I don't want to end up in a contract with
> unreliable broadband.

You still need a phone line regardless of who supplies it. BT is best
because it gives you the choice of ISPs and you get 24/7/365 fault
reporting. Being tied to Sky means that it limites your future options and
ties you to a long contract. If you rally want the Sky TV packages then it
may be worth while going for thier incluive deal.


Peter Crosland

(E-Mail Removed)

"scotty" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
hey,

I recently tried getting NTL/virgin cable installed in my apartment
but the engineer came out to find out that its not available in my
building.

That was 3months ago...

Ive since been trying to find the best deal with ADSL. I don't have a
line hooked up (but its there, used to be connected with BT), and it
looks like I'm goin to have to pay roughly £11 p/m line rental +
broadband.

Are there any services that offer broadband and a phone service
without using BT for line rental? Or something affordable? I was
considering Skys offer of £26 a month for 6packages and free
broadband, which would come to £37 a month? Although I have heard bad
reviews about sky. I need broadband thats going to be half decent,
the Sky offer seems logical since I'd probably end up paying around
the same price for line rental+ a different broadband service.


Any advise would be great, I don't want to end up in a contract with
unreliable broadband.

thanks in advance...


If you can get BE Broadband.
You cud have...

Up to 8 meg download speed
Up to 1.3 meg upload speed
Unlimited usage
Free wireless Be Box modem
£14 a month.

That'll be around £25 with BT phone, and for cheap phone calls you cud
use www.18185.co.uk
For TV you get Freeview.

> If you can get BE Broadband.
> You cud have...
>
> Up to 8 meg download speed
> Up to 1.3 meg upload speed
> Unlimited usage
> Free wireless Be Box modem
> £14 a month.
>
> That'll be around £25 with BT phone, and for cheap phone calls you cud
> usewww.18185.co.uk
> For TV you get Freeview.


Last time I checked BE wasnt available over here (Belfast), and I
can't check right now cos of work filters. See all Im really looking
for is broadband, I have freeview and a decent mobile fone contract,
Sky just seems like a good deal since I'd be paying around the same
price anyway but I'll have a hunt for cheap ISPs. Can anyone recommend
any that they know is available in Belfast?

cheers

"scotty" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> If you can get BE Broadband.
> You cud have...
>
> Up to 8 meg download speed
> Up to 1.3 meg upload speed
> Unlimited usage
> Free wireless Be Box modem
> £14 a month.
>
> That'll be around £25 with BT phone, and for cheap phone calls you cud
> usewww.18185.co.uk
> For TV you get Freeview.


Last time I checked BE wasnt available over here (Belfast), and I
can't check right now cos of work filters. See all Im really looking
for is broadband, I have freeview and a decent mobile fone contract,
Sky just seems like a good deal since I'd be paying around the same
price anyway but I'll have a hunt for cheap ISPs. Can anyone recommend
any that they know is available in Belfast?

From looking, it looks like it's a choice between Sky and Talk Talk.
Sky bein the better option.

scotty wrote:

> Any advise would be great, I don't want to end up in a contract with
> unreliable broadband.

The simplest advice is to avoid the large ISPs. Most are rubbish. Some are
dreadful.

Good ISPs won't impose 12 or 18 month contracts which keep you captive and will
have 1 month contracts.

Also check here ....
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/isp/compare.html

using Idnet as the benchmark. Idnet aren't even that expensive btw despite their
excellent showing.

Graham

scotty wrote:

> > In short, no.
> > You either need cable from Virgin or a BT phone line.
> > Seeing as you can't get cable, you'll need a BT line to get connected.
> > For ISPs, have a look at comparisons onwww.thinkbroadband.com
> >
> > George
>
> Unfortunately google is the only outside site I can access in work so
> I can't check that site out.

What ?

>
>
> Does anyone know of any bundles BT offer inc broadband?

Don't bother. BT (the ISP)'s broadband isn't very good. You'll get better
performance from AN Other ISP over the very same BT wires (and exchange
equipment).

Sounds confusing. It is. You see BT the ISP isn't the same bunch as BT the phone
operator.

Graham

scotty wrote:

> > If you can get BE Broadband.
> > You cud have...
> >
> > Up to 8 meg download speed
> > Up to 1.3 meg upload speed
> > Unlimited usage
> > Free wireless Be Box modem
> > £14 a month.
> >
> > That'll be around £25 with BT phone, and for cheap phone calls you cud
> > usewww.18185.co.uk
> > For TV you get Freeview.
>
> Last time I checked BE wasnt available over here (Belfast), and I
> can't check right now cos of work filters. See all Im really looking
> for is broadband, I have freeview and a decent mobile fone contract,
> Sky just seems like a good deal since I'd be paying around the same
> price anyway but I'll have a hunt for cheap ISPs. Can anyone recommend
> any that they know is available in Belfast?

It would help if you were to specify what level of speed and download allowance
you're likely to be looking for.

Is it just for occasional browsing and email or do you plan to spend lots of
time on youtube, downloading films or watching / listening to streaming media ?
Thses things make a big difference. If all you need is a really basic 'starter'
pacakge you can get broadband for about £10 over your BT connection (usually
plus a further one-off 'activation' charge). Interesting note .... Plusnet pays
the activation charge for you *if* you stay with them for 12 months..
http://www.plus.net/residential/broa...=home_bbyw_ban

Since you're new to this DO NOT go for a long contract. Don't even be tempted.

Graham