What FTTC ISP?

While I wait for Sky to send me my MAC I have been looking around at what�s on offer and have narrowed it down to the following:


Claranet soho FTTC Business
� Unlimited
� 40/10
� 12 months contract
� Free router + Install ?
� £45.57

Vivaciti FTTC Office 15
� 15GB from 8am to 8pm
� 40/10
� 12 months contract
� Connection £96
� Free router?
� £27.90

Merula Fibre Premium
� 200GB Guideline usage
� 40/10
� 12 months contract
� Connection £80
� £42.00

BT
� Unlimited (P2P managed)
� 40/10
� Free router + install
� 18 months contract
� £25.00

I don't know anything about Claranet or Merula and can not find any reviews on them. Ideally we need an ISP with a good monthly allowance without braking the bank, me and my brother both use Steam and I have over 300 games (not all installed) that use lots of data as well as 2 other computers, PS3 and a internet TV, its safe to say we use quite a bit of data a month and with even faster internet its only going to increase.

Peak and off-peak packages that run from 8am-Midnight do not appeal to me at all, Vivaciti package listed above is about the only one that looks a good deal for the money.

Any help would be appreciated.

The BT infinity package has good reviews and is the option I'd go for.

Try this summary sheet maintained by Orly and Yarwell of these forums:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AquiMM6uTUU...

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

The BT infinity package has good reviews and is the option I'd go for.

Thanks your opinion, are you with BT for Infinity?

In reply to a post by jchamier:

Try this summary sheet maintained by Orly and Yarwell of these forums:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AquiMM6uTUU...

Thank you but that's what I have been looking at, hence my selections in my OP. Just not sure what one to go with :/

Swings and roundabouts with any ISP, read the small print.
ADSL24 again and WebTapestry are worth looking at been with both.

I assume you had phone and line with Sky, BT will only accept if have the whole caboodle line rental, calls and FTTC not forgetting the 18 month 'rolling' contract that will catch nearly all out.

Well had a talk with everyone in the family and have gone with BT, got an install date of the 29th December I could have gone for 23rd but its just to close to Christmas.

Only odd thing is on the BT order tracker site it says:

In reference to :

Your appointment is no longer required, as our engineer can connect your line without requiring access to your premises. The engineer will work to connect your line at the exchange.

Just hope the appointment gets passed onto OR.

Edited by Matt182 (Fri 16-Dec-11 22:30:15)

In reply to a post by hareng:

BT ....... not forgetting the 18 month 'rolling' contract that will catch nearly all out.

Hi. Sorry to butt in here but are you saying that you have to give 18 months notice to terminate the service with BT? My understanding having read the T&Cs is that there is an initial 18 month contract after which you can terminate or move elsewhere.

In reply to a post by Matt182:

Well had a talk with everyone in the family and have gone with BT, got an install date of the 29th December I could have gone for 23rd but its just to close to Christmas.

Only odd thing is on the BT order tracker site it says:

In reference to :

Your appointment is no longer required, as our engineer can connect your line without requiring access to your premises. The engineer will work to connect your line at the exchange.

Just hope the appointment gets passed onto OR.

Either that is wrong or things have changed extremely recently, like in the last couple of days.

Infinity, (any OR FTTC), has always been an Openreach on-site install, comprising connection of a fibre link at the cabinet and the engineer fitting a VDSL2 faceplate to the master socket. Replacing the master socket if necessary, and moving it if in a good mood. Possibly installing a Data Extension Cable if the master socket is in an inconvenient place. The modem is installed and the connection is tested to be within specification.

On Infinity the Home Hub is also installed and checked to be operating.

Openreach are supposed to be bringing out a "wires only" install some time, whereby only the cabinet work will be done and the user is left to set things up, as per ADSLx. Yours would be the first reported instance if this is true, and you would expect to receive other items such as a modem and faceplate from BT Broadband, as well as the Home Hub.

Seems unlikely to me. Is your Sky connection Sky Connect or LLU? If it is LLU then exchange work will be required as well. What about the phone? Was that Sky rental, and if so, again, LLU?

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 16-Dec-11 23:59:42)

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the reply.

I think its BT just being BT, I cant see this being a self install. And im with Sky just for BB on the LLU package, phone is still with BT.

Matt

TBH - there should have never been a need for BT to perform the install inside the premises - all you need is the filters similar to adsl and plug your modem into it.

if you already have the combined faceplate you are already set to go - there is no major differences between the filters for adsl and vdsl

The line from you to the exchange will need to be re-jumpered to the BT MSAN from the Sky DSLAM, and the phone connection from the MDF (Main Distribution Frame)will similarly need moving from the Sky DSLAM to the BTW MSAN. (Even though your phone wasn't LLU, which would have even more complicated matters, any phone connection still gets onto your line through the broadband kit).

The cabinet link and engineer visit would seem to me still to be necessary.

The change of phone line rental from Sky to BT is totally independent of the physical move. In my case I was with O2 LLU broadband but BT line rental, and the physical changes for me going to IDNet FTTC were as above. Line rental was already with BT so stayed there.

Hi Rob,

I fired an email off to BT and they have been very helpful and quick in replying, they said that the PSTN service needs to be brought over to BT first before broadband can be activated and installed.

And was told this should be done on the 29th and then an order for Infinity can be made, just seems odd that this can not be done all at the same time.

They are going to get back to me when they know for sure, as the department they need to contact is closed over the weekend.

You said earlier the phone was still with BT? That's the PSTN service.

Edited by RobertoS (Sat 17-Dec-11 23:44:16)

Well that's what I was thinking, I replied telling them my line rental is with BT and it was only the broadband that was with Sky LLU.

I should find out Monday what is going on, its all a bit confusing and not sure how the order has been messed up.

Edited by Matt182 (Sat 17-Dec-11 23:53:26)

Sounds like you're getting the 'quality' BT service they are so well known for!!!!!