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Sanity check required please!! Thinking of BT for Broadband!

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I'm questioning my own sanity, as I'm thinking of signing up to BT for broadband, and wonder if you guys could help with a reality check as I'm a broadband numpty/newbie.

I don't have broadband currently, and do have a BT line. I have a desktop PC with an ethernet card but don't have a router.
I'm planning to get a laptop, which I will want to connect wirelessly (I will need to buy a PCMCIA card)
I've spent a bit of time over the last few days considering some options and:
- the TalkTalk/Tiscali/AOL type providers all want extra money as their 'cheap' deal isn't available in my area (and I've got concerns about the feedback they get)
- suppliers such as Newnet and ADSL24 who have good feedback would charge me £40 for a first connection and wouldn't include a router (which I guess would cost about £60?)
- BT provide a free connection and router, in exchange for a contract for a 12 months.
- the checker sites seem to suggest I could get up to 6Mb from the Lytham exchange

So, comparing BT and Newnet:

BT: Option 2 (8Gb limit) = £261 for 12 months, £23 per month thereafter.
Newnet: Home M (12Gb limit) = £197.88 for 12 months plus connection (£40) and router (£60) = £297.88. The monthly cost is £16.49.

If I was going with BT, my plan would be to switch after 12 months as £23/month is expensive for 8Gb.
With BT, I'm hoping there will be no problems of them 'passing the parcel' to another supplier if I have problems (but ...?!!)

Right, there's my delusion.
Any (constructive?) criticism is very welcome as I'm being pushed by my better half to just get on with it!

Thanks.
 
Go Newnet, far better than BT (anything is better than BT) or find a Entanet reseller, that's even better.
 
Thanks ... but why are they so bad?

I've heard they throttle (though I don't expect to be a heavy downloader) but (of course?!) their customer options team denied it.
 
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Entanet resellers like ADSL24 are one of the most popular choices nowadays. To be honest £19.99 for 30GB peak (plus 300GB off peak) is a very good deal, especially with a month by month contract. It is not really considered wise to lock yourself into 12 month contracts (what happens if something changes or you are unhappy). Also Entanet are fairly open about their network usage so we know their "pipes" can cope with demand. I've been with UKFSN (Enta) since 2005 in one form or another and have no complaints. Of course there are many other decent ISPs around ...

There are various Enta forums about - here, at - http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=entanet , and http://www.entachoice.org.uk/ (though I think the forums are down) .

HTH :)
 
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We tell people to avoid BT because their customer service is $hite.
An example; I have been offline since Sunday, why ??
Because despite informing BT 5 years ago that a tree was causing damage to the phone lines coming from the pole opposite my house they did nothing, again 2 years ago when I had problems I suggested that perhaps it was time to trim the tree; nothing, 3 months ago when my line was up and down more often that a whores knickers and they had no explanation why, I suggested the tree, but they did nothing.
Sunday, a gentle breeze was the final straw as far as my line was concerned, the check carried out by BT today ( after insisting for 2 days that there was nothing wrong with the line), shows multiple breaks in the cable; so many they could not even pinpoint which section; but guess what ??
It was at the post where the tree has been hitting the cable in the gentlest winds.
So, they replaced the whole cable to my house, but did they trim the tree??
Did they fcuk!!!!
 
routers can be picked up for less than £60

if u are only using wireless for laptop then a standalone adsl modem router can be purchased for between £45 to £55 with or without usb adaptor if recquired for desktop pc

look at amazon and ebuyer or even ebay

i got a netgear with usb free delivery for £50 about 6 months ago from amazon
better to source ur own router as getting from isp will involve long contract or higher urchase price
 
Thanks for all the replies ... I'm now swaying away from BT.

Haven't got/don't fancy Sky.
Am considering UKONLINE - They offer an "unlimited" 8MBps service with a £25 connection fee (no modem, but thinking about buying a Netgear DG834G from DSL Depot for £20).
The feedback on thinkbroadband.com is OK ... but do they throttle etc with it being 'unlimited' download?

Am also considering ADSL24, Newnet, IDNet (although IDNet may be a bit expensive).

If I'm getting a Netgear router, I guess I should look for a Netgear PCMCIA card (?).

The desktop will initially be right next to the router, so I can hard wire it to start ... unsure about a USB adaptor assuming it's used with the USB ports on the front of the desktop, as it's my six year old that will want to use the desktop most ... he can't keep his feet still and will most likely kick it. Are PCI cards better? ... DSL seem to do one or two for £10.

Thanks again.
 
pci cards are a neater set-up than usb adaptors.

most new laptops have built in wireless..

it needent be a netgear card as such but most people recommend pairing up like for like my daughters laptop wont have a built in netgear card and communicates well.
a friend has an orange livebox(wash my mouth out with soap) and got a belkin usb adaptor which works well

if router is hard wired thats fine
 
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