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Newbies to Broadband - overwhelmed!

I've posted a thread on the AOL specific board here on ispr this morning, I'm interested in getting an AOL connection for the unlimited downloads for a reasonable cost. It's either that or stick with Wanadoo and try their broadband.

I'm in quite a hurry to make a decision as to who I will go with, I don't really want to pay out for connection with BT so I'd prefer a 12 month contract for now with free connection and modem to start off with (can always buy one if it doesn't work out).

I'm a little overwhelmed with all the differing advice on different ISPs (what works for one is hell for another), I'd love to go with naims but I think I would feel safer starting with an all inclusive package even though it means being stuck in for 12 months. I would therefore like to be assured that whoever I am tied to for those 12 months will be good for service and customer support etc.

I'm sure I am not the only person here who is feeling confuzzled, so hopefully this will be a thread which could help others too. Advice is welcomed!!
 
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Im currently looking into ADSL as well (for the GF).

I am looking at NDO, as they have a good reputation and many on these forums say they are reliable.

Typical story, they dont want to pay an activation fee, and want it cheap. So Im going for the 1MB capped at 10 gig. I think thats about £17 odd per month.

They seem good, but I had to ask them things which were certainly not made clear on the site.

What happens after the 10 Gig is hit, how much does it cost?

£1 per GB, but at the moment they are not charging people who go over a tiny bit. This could change of course.


Are the prices including VAT, or not?

Prices before you get to the confirmation screen (which I didnt because I was only looking) do NOT include VAT.

They also do uncapped ones as well, tho I notice there is a FUP on those.


If you want true unlimited, there eclipse or Zen, but both are more pricey then normal.


Always bear in mind, that if your activation is free, then its very likely you will be charged it if you leave before 12 months, even if its a one month contract.
 
My advice:-

Don't sign into a 12 month contract, yeh you might get free connection and a free crappy usb modem but your stuck to a 12 month contract, meaning NO ESCAPE for 12 months or at least being forced to pay the remaining 12 months. You'd be much better going for an ISP that lets you either pay to escape (they give you free activation but make you pay it if you leave within 12 months, i.e Pipex etc) or pay the £50 activation yourself and buy a modem from somewhere liek ebuyer. yeh it may cost you £100 to get started but at least your in control of your service, we've seen many a 12 month horror story here.

As for unlimited there are still unlimited services around such as ZEN but you'll pay much more for these services £30+ a month and so on. Go into the forums and pick a few ISP's and read up on them but remember like you say what is great for someone is hell for another. There has been much slagging of Plusnet on here but for me and many others we had no real problems. I've also been with Pipex for ADSL and they were great. I only left because they didnt give a static IP, something they now offer.

Choose carefully if your going into a 12 month contract, and good luck.

Ben
 
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You won't get many people recommending Naims on these forums. They're just another V21 off-shoot, more than likely sharing the same services and support. Do yourself a favour and stay well away.

I've personally never had the pleasure of using AOL, lucky me, but going by what I've heard from people who mend and sell computers for a living, they all say AOL is the main ISP to avoid, even been on the local news warning folks! Then again, these same people also recommend and send out their computers with Norton AV, they must be getting a giant-size bung for that! :D

Have you read this article on Choosing an ADSL ISP?

Here's a list of some of the recommended ISPs from above article.

Zen
Metronet
Eclipse
NDO
Nildram
F2S
Firenet
Firefly
 
I would agree with everything onephat has advised.

Personally I would avoid AOL, and Wanadoo.

I am with Plusnet, and OK they do change their goal posts frequently, but to be honest, they are very reliable, have excellent customer support 24 / 7 on an 0845 number.

I am on a monthly contact with them, so I can leave if I want to.
 
Inactive said:
I would agree with everything onephat has advised
.

:smilet:

I do use AOL via their Bring Your Own Access scheme which i get for £3 a month and have been a user since they started. Infact I remember beta testing their 0800 access for £25 a month back in early 2000 (i think). Anyway back to the point, I loved Plusnet i only moved because my Referals left so i though what the hell i'll move on and the change in Terms also scared me off a bit. Personaly i'd go for Pipex mate.
 
Given present problems you might also want to scratch Freedom2Surf & MetroNet from that list of suggestions in our article, hopefully things will improve, but right now there's a lot of unhappy customers around and we're not sure how widespread the issues are.
 
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Thanks all, it's pathetic as I have on and off been looking into this for about 3 months! I keep chickening out.
Will look hard at Pipex, and then some of the others. Was reading Eclipse's site last night and will look again.
Cheers!
Keep 'em coming!
 
OK - I hate the look of Pipex, all the 'extras' look too offputting. Plus this site has terrible recent reviews for it. I think Eclipse are looking pretty attractive. Anyone know where their call centre is (UK?)

So looks like I could be in the market for a modem/router. I haven't much money, especially if I am going to pay for my own connection fee.
I'll do a search here but anyone recommend a brand and model?
 
just to add:
Might it be a good idea to get Eclipse's offer of a free connection/modem/12 month contract and just face the fact that if I have problems and want to leave I will have to pay for the connection fee anyway (no love lost)? After all, if they are as good as people say I might not want to leave before the 12 months are up.

free SpeedTouch 330 USB Modem - is this decent enough?

Searching for terms and conditions - if I decide to terminate early, will I be liable to pay for rest of the year or just the connection fee and return the modem? I can't find this yet will keep looking, but if anyone knows please let me know.
 
Take a look at NewNet and IDNet both have good, well priced packages.

Im on an IDNet monthly 30GB capped account with no traffic shaping and get good speeds, support is excellent.

Stay away from Freedom2Shape(now Pipex), Metronet(now Plusnet), Plusnet(now awfull), Tiscali(was always awfull), any V21 reseller, and see a shrink if you opt for a 12 month contract as you will seriously need your head examined :)

Cheers Ali
Ex-Plusnet,Ex-Freedom2Shape
 
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witchypoo said:
just to add:
Might it be a good idea to get Eclipse's offer of a free connection/modem/12 month contract and just face the fact that if I have problems and want to leave I will have to pay for the connection fee anyway (no love lost)? After all, if they are as good as people say I might not want to leave before the 12 months are up.

free SpeedTouch 330 USB Modem - is this decent enough?

Searching for terms and conditions - if I decide to terminate early, will I be liable to pay for rest of the year or just the connection fee and return the modem? I can't find this yet will keep looking, but if anyone knows please let me know.

Eclipse T&Cs can be found here: http://www.eclipse.net.uk/index.cfm?id=legal

I think this is the relevant section -

4.3(a) For customers who have selected the free set-up and Equipment package (available for FLEX Home 500,
FLEX Home 1000, FLEX Home 2000, FLEX Business 500, FLEX Business 1000 and FLEX Business 2000 or any
other products to which this offer may apply from time to time), no Fees shall be payable for the set-up of the Service
or for the Equipment, however cancellation by You of the Service before the end of the Fixed Period will result in a
cancellation fee of £47.00 including VAT. For the avoidance of doubt, the title in the Equipment shall remain
vested with Us during the Fixed Period and You shall return the Equipment to Us, at Your cost and expense, in the
event of Your cancellation during the Fixed Period. If You fail to return the Equipment within 5 working days from the
date of expiry of the notice of cancellation of the Service, You shall incur a charge of £25.99 (inc. VAT) if You were
supplied with a free modem or a charge of £51 (exc. VAT) if You were supplied with a free router.

I didn't see any additonal fees mentioned for cancellation during the fixed term, but it wouldn't do any harm to get them to confirm it.
 
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Well, if your looking at eclipse, I can vouch for them.

Been on them for 2 (or more) years, and they have been absoloutly rock solid.

Very reliable ISP. I also have 3 friends on eclipse, they have the same opinion.
 
Wow thanks Mel! Excellent work :nod:

Will give their number a ring and check.

Thanks for the recommendation Old dude, it means a lot! I just looked at their flex costs - and all I can say is WOW! Only 10p per hour to up it to 2meg or 5p to 1meg. If 512kb works out well for me generally it will be great to know I can flex when necessary.

Thanks to everyone for all your help!
 
I've phoned them, and the nice man answered immediately. He had to go and ask someone to make sure, but he said yes I would have to pay the connection fee if I terminated mid-term during the contract, but that I wouldn't have to return the equipment (?) and that there would be no further charges ie rest of the contract fees for the remaining months etc.

I'm not sure that is entirely true as the terms on the site (and as quoted by Mel) state return of equipment as part of it, but having said that I'm going to go along with it, sign up and just leave that part of things as a maybe. I am happy to pay the connection fee back if I switch, after all I would have had to pay to be connected by BT no matter who I went with if I chose no contract.

I told the man who I spoke to that I am sure there would be no need to switch as I have heard nothing but good about their company!! I'm such a creep :)
I'm filling the online form in as I type !
 
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ip said:
http://www.madasafish.com/
with cap take a look or virgin perhaps or check out adslguide.co.uk

You mean http://www.madasafish.com/cheaper/ = £1 less :) 5 gig cap though, BrightView isp - don't know if they are any good.


If low price is more important than reliability or anything else there's E7even - seem to be currently overwhelmed with complaints from users about sub dial-up speeds and no connection for weeks here- http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=e7even&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5&o=0

I wouldn't recommend them, but if you are tempted by this, or any £100+ pay upfront deal (which is a bad idea, especailly when it is below cost!) make sure you pay by credit card so you are protected by the consumer credit act if they fold.
 
Mel said:
make sure you pay by credit card so you are protected by the consumer credit act if they fold.
I was just filling the direct debit mandate in when I refreshed the page and saw that part of your post - it made me click the back button and register as card payment! I know you meant paying upfront=best pay by card, but it still made me reconsider!
 
witchypoo said:
I was just filling the direct debit mandate in when I refreshed the page and saw that part of your post - it made me click the back button and register as card payment! I know you meant paying upfront=best pay by card, but it still made me reconsider!

Eclipse is pay monthly so direct debit should be fine. I was refering to an isp that charges 1 year in advance :eek:
 
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