Netcall Share Discussion Threads

[zzaxx99] 28/2/2003 00:50

Well that's a kicker - just checked on availability - and contrary to previous BT direction, my exchange is broadband, but I'm mysteriously now too far away. Which leaves me at the mercy of ..... NTL! Aaaaaaargh!

[random] 28/2/2003 00:19

Heard some good things about Zen Internet recently. Like Pipex, they offer an eight IP address subnet for 30+vat a month, with cheaper deals if you do not need fixed ip.

I use telewest and pipex, and the service from both is satisfactory. My principal concern with pipex is that worldcom will disintegrate.

No single connection will give 100% reliability, so 2 or 3 are needed, along with a suitable load balancing router. I use a patched version of debian linux.


One difficulty with adsl is all of it goes through BT's london hub. If that goes down, so does most of the ADSL traffic for the UK. As far as I know, only easynet offers unbundled adsl, for a massive premium. I suppose if trading on a large scale, such a cost might be justified.

Also, if using ntl or telewest it is advisable to purchase a hardware firewall. I have repaired many hacked machines. Wires only adsl installations make a lot of sense. Much better to buy a good router/firewall combo than get hacked while using an ISP supplied adsl modem.

[oddball] 27/2/2003 23:55

Pipex for me. Yes, had a few problems but none recently (6 months).
More than happy with service. I was on the fringe for connections, BT rejected me 3 times cause they did not want the hassle, My line passed with Pipex accepted me & told BT to get things sorted fpr ADSL. After 3 outages when started, no problems since.

Bovecq: A. is that you, if so, when did you return from NZ?

[wakeland] 27/2/2003 23:46

Check the last Results , six months to Dec 2002 , making progress in a very dificult market for a telecom's ( related ) company .

[bunglemassive1] 27/2/2003 19:30

Anyone got any veiws on this one??

[bryden1] 27/2/2003 14:11

r.dryden
I have used NTL for a number of years and have had no problems. The worker's who installed my original system (under Cableol) to digital and broadband under NTL to be excellent both in manners and compentence. Any time that I have had cause to ring NTL I have not had any problems. I suppose it may vary from area to area (I am in Belfast) but as I have said I can't complain about service.

[fickena] 27/2/2003 13:45

Bovecq,

Plusnet have their own BB's very much like ADVFN, so to quicken things up I go on there and post my problem, and if no one on there can help I then approach the support team.

They do prefer you to email of course, but they are very good and answering, and also read the BB's for any whinging, and address it.

[bovecq] 27/2/2003 13:40

zzaxx99, you could have written my hassles when BT unplugged my Pipex service last year after they repaired a fault on the telephone line; "sheer coincidence sir....you don't even have ADSL service sir so what is the problem" Four weeks and progressively angrier phone calls and e.mails later, saw my service returned, but only after BT demanded that I had a brand new application (and fee!) to set it back up again. Meanwhile as far as Pipex were concerned, there was no problem - funny how I wasn't using it! To be fair to them, they eventually jumped on BT very hard, and credited me a months subs.

I am fairly contented with their service, very reliable (only 2 down periods that I am aware of in 8 months) however, the point has been made above, if you want to talk to them, ONLY phone between 1000-1010 and 1430-1500 or you will wait a very very long time; and irregardless of what is wrong they always take you through the same questions, again and again...
A.
forgot to add, the shower of cretins at BT informed me that I paid them for the enabling of ADSL at the exchange, and then once enabled, I paid the service providor of my choice their full fee, then monthly. Of course this is not the case as the isp pays BT from their initial setup fee - just wonder how many have been caught by this one?

[fickena] 27/2/2003 13:10

Scrub that!

Just did their tariff calculator and it came to £94 a month! Even I would risk NTL for that price difference.

You also need loads of equipment.

But Random,

They guarantee speeds and you can pay extra for a faster download/upload speed, and doesn't rely on the BT network, may be one for you to consider.

[fickena] 27/2/2003 13:06

ZZAXX,

Give this crew a go,



They use wireless technology, bit messier, but you won't have to rely on two bit cowboys!

I know nothing about them, do do your research.

[marathonmike] 27/2/2003 11:38

Have used both NTL 1 meg cable and Pipex ADSL.
ADSL went down twice /month. NTL better than that - currently goes down about 4 times / year in my area. As others point out their Customer Service is appauling, so you need a lot of patience when setting up. Overcome this hurdle and you have a low cost excellent service.
Mike

[fickena] 27/2/2003 10:11

r.dryden,

Go to

Enter you telephone number in the box "Can I get broadband?" this will tell you if the exchange near you has been upgraded, and if not how many more people need to subscribe to make it happen.

If you can't register your interest so to bolster numbers. If you can then you can have any provider you wish.

[fickena] 27/2/2003 09:59

Plusnet also other monthly contracts rather than yearly. You pay a little extra installation charge at the begining than if you sign a yearly contract, but that is it.

I opted for monthly as Pipex were so terrible and I was tied into a yearly contract so I have to pay 2 months subscription when I left, but it was worth it.

Check out the comparison link in the original post, very good.

[r.dryden] 27/2/2003 09:59

was going to go for ntl as it is the only broaband
i can get locally.
Not so sure now.

[jl202] 27/2/2003 09:41

ps I'm still weighing it up!

[jl202] 27/2/2003 09:40

Pipex offer a no fixed term contract, whereas BT don't. Not sure about freeserve or plusnet. Their respective freebies also differ, although ususally when one offers one the others bring out theirs as well. I think the market is gradually picking up pace and wouldn't be surprised to see broadband IP-telecom enabled wifi LCD panels installed in premium new property builds within five years, as this technology begins to augment the ubiquitous landline. I'm not aware of a brand leader in this product category to date,,

[tim 3] 27/2/2003 09:32

Using freeserve which I find superb,having tweaked the settings thanks to the advice given on the adsl site.

[fickena] 27/2/2003 09:31

RD,

Edited, cheers!

zzaxx99,

Another reason I have advoided companies that put physical lines in your house is that if they go bust (like NTL and TWT will undoubtably do), you are stuck with no provider.

While if you have one of the self install packages (modem, filter), you already have the hardware, you just find another provider and sign up. Back up and runnig in days.

[rd-racer] 27/2/2003 09:26

fickena, in your 4th paragraph do you mean to begin the sentence with Plusnet ?

[fickena] 27/2/2003 09:14

Found this on the unmentionable site's BB



Users have vented their fury after it emerged cable company NTL is imposing download limits on its broadband service.
The company now limits its customers to one gigabyte of downloaded data per day despite advertising that an advantage of broadband is "unlimited surfing".

Subscribers say the limit amounts to as little as two-and-a-half hours of use a day for a service that says it is "24/7".

NTL says the move is necessary to help all of its customers get a consistent service.

Broadband has generally been sold on the basis that it is "always on" and is a much faster way of downloading pictures, videos and music.

But NTL's terms and conditions now limit downloading to a level consistent with "normal use".

It defines the one gigabyte limit as equivalent to "200 music tracks, 650 short videos, 10,000 pictures or around 100 large software programmes downloaded per day".

[fickena] 27/2/2003 08:41

Really?

Is there anything esle tied in with that phone, tv etc?

[kennethrich] 27/2/2003 08:37

i use ntl 1 meg service paying 24.99 for it