ISP Reviews by BeanBag

Openreach have been digging up town for many months. Kept checking if I could upgrade my Zen account, but OR checker kept moving the goal posts from Dec 2022 to Dec 2023, then Dec 2026. Suffering from miserable 3Mb upload limit that makes Zoom difficult and serious Dropbox usage impractical.

Then, last month Post card dropped through letterbox from FullFibreHeroes advertising FTTP now live. I had just come to end of contract with zen. Card mentioned IDnet as well as a number of ISPs neither I nor Trustpilot had heard of. Yes, it was true and live for my
address. Special startup offer gives 160/160Mbs for under £30 (less than I am paying now). Installed on Friday. Neat and tidy installation. Speed pretty much as promised. Packet loss a little high for first 24 hours but seems to be reducing as line beds in. IDnet very helpful and efficient. Minor set up issue as VLAN I’d needs to be 911 with 0 pbits (using own router). Chose ID net as they can offer variety of FTTC alternatives should there be issues with FullFibre backhaul (as well as being established company with good track record).


14/09/2023
Short dropout. Called help line. Call answered in less than 30 seconds. Full Service restored in 20 minutes. Excellent service.

I was with Zen some years ago, but left because of excessive phone call charges. After wandering cloudland I returned to Zen last month because they now can provide SOGEA and I can use VOIP with provider of my choice. Thought I would sign up while their 'fixed price for life' offer was still valid (As I type most of the big boys are adding a 10% price hike even to their 'fixed price' deals...)

Connection is better than with all other providers. Had an issue with billing (my browser crashed during sign up and I ended up with two accounts). Support answered within 30 seconds. Staff speak clearly and very knowledgeable. Sorted out the billing issue. Transferred me to the technical who quickly resolved the database issue.

I'm using the Fritzbox with a couple of third party DECT Cat IQ2.0 handsets. I use third party VOIP provider. The Fritzbox is a good and flexible router/answerphone base station. With a bit of configuration its possibe to 'whitelist' my contacts to avoid spam. I'm also planning to get a second Fritzbox from ebay to set up a mesh system around the house and garden.

Dont understand previous couple of reviews who complain about poor support - perhaps the call centre got hit by Covid. They are certainly way better than many of the bigger providers.