Fast.co.uk

My experience with this ISP is very disappointing. I switched from BT as the offer was very competitive from a price point of view. Unfortunately, as soon as I switched I could no longer maintain a stable connection speed which meant watching iPlayer on my PS3 was impossible (constantly buffering)

I checked a number of things with their support team and was told it must be a fault with BT's equipment. After this had been "resolved" by BT I still had the same issues. I had bought a new top of the range router that scores very well in reviews, but this made no difference - it meant I could rule out my own equipment as being the cause

Next "solution" was for me to upgrade to their LLU package (taking BT out of the equation altogether) - naturally it is a more expensive. Despite being sceptical, I agreed.

A moderate improvement, but still not able to watch an episode on iPlayer or 4od on my PS3 without some buffering. This was never an issue when I was with BT Broadband.

Their next solution was to send me a new router that they believe is better suited to LLU connections on a trial basis. If this proved more reliable then I would be held to a 12 month contract and not charged the £50 odd for the modem, but if it didn't help I could return the modem with no penalties. I had accepted to try this but there was a break down in communication (my fault really) as I forgot to reply to their request for a postal address.

When the router failed to arrive I decided to cancel. I'd had spent far too much time trying to resolve and given I had no problems with BT I will go back to them. Fast are making me wait the full 5 days for me to get my MAC code (suspect I annoyed them) - can't come quick enough!

I have been with Fast for a number of years now and initially things were ok. I am now having regular speed problems. Things will be great for a few weeks and then speed drops. First thing in the morning I can be getting 6.8Mb/s as the day wears on it gets slower and slower and by the afternoon can be getting as little as 1Mb/s download or less. I try rebooting my router, disconnecting for an hour or so, nothing solves the problem.

I have been told that there is considerable upload activity on my line, but I have checked everything, no unusual activity on my Mac, nothing hi-jacking my router, and have gone round in ever decreasing circles eliminating everything my end. I certainly upload very very little ever.

I suspect that they have some congestion their end, but it is put down to BT (which of course it may be), or me, like most customers I have to just take what I am told.

Customer service is always very helpful, polite and responds very quickly but nothing is resolved. I am getting fed up with paying for poor speeds. May have to consider moving on soon, which will be a shame. Problem is, are other ISPs any better?

Update: 14.04.11

Fast got in touch with me soon after I posted the above review. They seem to have fixed the problem for me and I am now getting good speeds. Will update again in a few months.

Update: 07.06.11

Right - have experienced some really poor speeds lately, but I will admit that Fast has been on the case straight away. They have found out that BT have a planned upgrade on 16th June so am hoping all problems then disappear. I must admit I can't praise support highly enough. Having dealt with another ISP on behalf of my daughter makes me realise just how good it is!

I've been a customer of fast.co.uk for a while now and I cannot fault the level of their service.

I've contaced them for support a few times and the level of service has been excellent. I emailed late on a Saturday night, expecting a ticket number and a wait until Monday, but was plesantly surprised when a very helpful technician responded within a few minutes.

Having been a customer of several large ISPs in both my personal and professional existance, I can say that I've never dealt with a more professional, helpful and knowedgable bunch of people.

Fast.co.uk is all the above at 110% - I would have nothing to do with the Big Boy Bandits after seeing how they treated their Customers. Customer Support doesnt seem to be included in their Package that is why I spent 3 months looking at "Small is Beautiful" then after finding Fast.co.uk I spent another 3 months watching thinking of the old saying " If it seems too good to be true it usually is " but in this case their help and Support IS TRUE

Coming from dial-up I wanted the Best and I have got it with Fast.co.uk

I would give 12 stars for Support if I could but not allowed

I know it costs more than the Bandits but you certainly get what you pay for - and I have got faster speed than local Sky and Talk Talk

Thanks Fast.co.uk Top Knotch !!!

Update 6/8/11 5.15pm
When I first joined Fast.co.uk 4 months ago my Download speed was 5.845 Kb a vast improvement on my dial-up and it has steadily increased - today at 5.15pm it was 6208 Kb and the upload always steady at 350 Kb

The highest on my line has been 8502 Kb on a Friday early evening

I know this is not enough for some people that do a lot of streaming TV and Films but is enough for me especially as it appears to be faster than all the other Big Boys in my area - my main reason as you can see on my original part of this Review is that the Perrrrfect support is there if you are unlucky enough to need it - Fast still Brrrilliant on all Fronts

Reading through the reviews here, there is one recurring complaint which has failed to be addressed by Fast, namely download limits.

In national terms broadband has become significantly cheaper but Fast adsl packages
have failed to reflect this & have remained fixed at their former high levels.

If Fast will not/are unable to reduce their package charges it is only reasonable to expect that download limits are extended to reflect the
changing needs of customers & remain comparable
to the majority of other ISP`s.

Customer service is very good & delivered with courtesy at all times.

Do be warned that if your bandwidth limits are exceeded & payment not promptly authorised, your speed will be dramatically throttled.

Tarnitan