FTTC - Any options or just BT?

Evening all,

As the title suggests really. My exchange is in Rothley, Leics and have just found out from BT's site that they're now taking orders for Infinity and am predicted to get 32 or so mb (compared to the 2mb I get on O2's ADSL2+ service).

SamKnows hasn't updated and I just wondered if I'm wise to be jumping into bed with BT or if, in fact, I have no choice...!

Anyone care to share their opinions - opinions of BT's performance would also be gratefully received!

Cheers

Neil

There are plenty of FTTC providers. Robertos site has all the details.

Avoid BT if you use P2P.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/guide/fibre-broadband....

In reply to a post by Zadeks:

Avoid BT if you use P2P.

If the OP downloads and uploads a lot using P2P, BT might be the only affordable option! Until Sky joins the party in a few weeks.

Traffic shaping might make it difficult. He has plenty of choice.

In reply to a post by Spasch:

There are plenty of FTTC providers. Robertos site has all the details.

Thanks .
Specifically this page, though by now there will also be many smaller operators.

Very useful is the Orly/yarwell spreadsheet I ink to on that page.

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 02-Mar-12 21:48:47)

Thanks for the swift replies gang!

P2P ain't my thing anymore. It kept me in beer-money at uni now it's not worth the hassle for me!

As this exchange has only just become available, there's no minimum time before BT allow the wholesale side of things for the likes of Sky to get in on the act is there?

Are O2 looking into FTTC? Only reason I ask is because my mobile is with them and my current broadband is cheaper through them.

Finally, are there any no-nos I should be aware of?

Ta

Neil

Brilliant! I'll have a good look through there!

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

In reply to a post by Spasch:

There are plenty of FTTC providers. Robertos site has all the details.

Thanks .
Specifically this page, though by now there will also be many smaller operators. Plus (Eeeekk!!!) a fair-sized one I haven't added. Called ChatChat or something . Page update follows!

Very useful is the Orly/yarwell spreadsheet I ink to on that page.

Plus Net has unlimited downloads midnight to 8am, and various packages. I've used them for over 9 years and when my area is enabled, any day soon hopefully I shall stay with them.

And if you recommend enough people you will eventually get it for free.

I've just edited the post you quote. TalkTalk is there of course, just as "LLU" rather than BT Wholesale.

If you aren't a particularly heavy user Plusnet and BT are very much a toss the coin job. I've just had a perfect year on IDNet Starter Fibre and moved to Plusnet Value Fibre three weeks ago. Not quite as perfect, but saving a huge amount per month.

If your exchange already has Sky LLU it may be there at day 1. It depends how up to date their MSAN/DSLAMs are, to take the GEA feed.

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 02-Mar-12 21:57:12)

If you have any specific questions regarding our (ADSL24) FTTC packages feel free to ask away

Guys - thanks a million for your help. Well chuffed with how quickly I've been able to sort this out.

Thanks again

Neil

And you sorted it out by going for ?

Hmmmm wouldn't that be telling?!?!

Haha, I think, Plusnet - out of the ones I'm looking at, Sky aren't ready here (and I don't know how long they'll be), BT and Plusnet were the other two - with Plusnet getting a better rating on here.

Does anyone know how restrictive their traffic shaping is? Mind you, I'm worrying over nothing aren't I if I'm not P2Ping anymore and am going from 2.5mb to 32mb?

In reply to a post by MrBlueFox:

BT and Plusnet were the other two - with Plusnet getting a better rating on here.

I assume you know that PlusNet are actually owned by BT

In reply to a post by Squirrel:

In reply to a post by MrBlueFox:

BT and Plusnet were the other two - with Plusnet getting a better rating on here.

I assume you know that PlusNet are actually owned by BT

Not really relevant as the operation is completely separate and Plusnet's support is entirely UK-based.

In reply to a post by MrBlueFox:

Does anyone know how restrictive their traffic shaping is? Mind you, I'm worrying over nothing aren't I if I'm not P2Ping anymore and am going from 2.5mb to 32mb?

I doubt you will even notice it.

In reply to a post by MrBlueFox:

Hmmmm wouldn't that be telling?!?!

Haha, I think, Plusnet - out of the ones I'm looking at, Sky aren't ready here (and I don't know how long they'll be), BT and Plusnet were the other two - with Plusnet getting a better rating on here.

Does anyone know how restrictive their traffic shaping is? Mind you, I'm worrying over nothing aren't I if I'm not P2Ping anymore and am going from 2.5mb to 32mb?

sky will be available April 2012 every were that has access to open-reach fiber (same as what infinity and plusnet use they do seam to be accepting orders now though for some people) £20 a month unlimited downloads no traffic shaping 40/2meg you do how ever need to have sky TV @£20 minimum and sky talk @ £12.25 month

Ash

Edited by acpsd775 (Sat 03-Mar-12 20:28:25)

In reply to a post by Squirrel:

I assume you know that PlusNet are actually owned by BT

You keep saying this, and it is simply spreading FUD.

Could you some time explain what the relevance is please?

Plusnet Traffic Management. Not the Pro option to avoid it. I haven't bothered with that.

Look out for cashback at TopCashBack and Quidco. If using those, clear cookies at the start of the ordering run.

BT own them. BT can do whatever they want with them any time they want to do it

So?

Do you consider this to be a serious matter for concern? Can you explain how any change that significantly disadvantages a user could occur without the user having 30 days in which to reject the change and leave without penalty, when within a minimum term?

Considering he is with BT I really can't see what his problem is.

I was concerned when I heard BT had bought Plusnet, but I've noticed no changes, business as usual. Been with them over 9 years now.

Hmmm this is interesting. We're currently looking at getting Sky as well!

April you say, might be worth waiting a month or so then...and definitely no shaping? I can't see it being an issue, but wouldn't want to sign up to something that then isn't useable. For instance, we've both go iPads and may on occasion want to watch HD content at the same time. If, like on Plusnet, we're limited to 5mb then both of us using it will saturate the line :-/

I thought that too re his being on Infinity. It was going to be one of my next questions. He may just be intending it to be information, but the way and frequency it is done looks more aggressive than that, as though it is a strong reason against joining Plusnet.

I have steered well clear of BT for years, and been very wary of Plusnet. But that wariness was nothing to do with their ownership by BT. Over the past few months, although PN continue to have a terrible system for handling tickets, the interventions on forums by the reps have become more frequent and usually achieved rapid results.

By comparison, BT_Care seem to be a very variable commodity, in short supply, and giving out no helpful public information. They just get the problem moved out of visibility, and for some reason the customers normally stop talking about what resulted. I sometimes wonder what is going on when that happens - rare though BT_Care posts now are.

The most significant disadvantage of both compared to LLU has been the handling of IP Profiles, and the low values they were set at particularly on ADSL2+. As that problem has been removed on ADSL2+ by BT Wholesale, and has never been there on the Openreach DLM for FTTC, they both have to be regarded as contenders. On FTTC even the noise margin question seems not to be a problem so far.

Hence my choice of Plusnet, based mainly on the vast difference in the way the sales people on the phone handled my questions. BT Sales hadn't a clue, even after a manager was brought into play! Plusnet had to find out a couple of things and back came a deal I was happy with.

BT continue not to tell their sales staff and their immediate management, (both those you ring as I did and those who cold call me at home about superfast broadband), that the fibre technology is also provided by other companies apart from VM Cable. That makes asking about a migration from another FTTC supplier somewhat difficult.

Quote! "After talking to my manager again about your migration he confirms that an engineer visit will definitely be required to make sure your setup is compatible with our service".

In the context of the rest of the conversation, and the previous discussion by him with his manager, they clearly thought I was mistaken in believing I was already on a BT Openreach fibre connection. They didn't just mean the installation of a Home Hub or a swap of the modem.

In reply to a post by MrBlueFox:

Hmmm this is interesting. We're currently looking at getting Sky as well!

April you say, might be worth waiting a month or so then...and definitely no shaping? I can't see it being an issue, but wouldn't want to sign up to something that then isn't useable. For instance, we've both go iPads and may on occasion want to watch HD content at the same time. If, like on Plusnet, we're limited to 5mb then both of us using it will saturate the line :-/

No shaping at all their FTTC will be like their ADSL, From what ive head they'll be using the open reach network just like they do now to get it to your house but also using there own hardware in the cabs and connecting back onto their network to provide the actual bandwidth or something like with the LLU network.

As i say you do have to take their phone and TV, Ive had no problems at all with their phone at all ive been using it the past year and i find i saved a hell of a lot of money than when i was with virgin media (the line rental been 11.25 for the first 5 month then 12.25 last 7 months for evening and weekends was a lot cheaper than the 13.90 was paying VM for just weekends calls lol)

ive just left because i needed a FTTC ISP that allows business usage if sky offered this id of stuck with them without a second though so id recommend them anyday especially at the price.

Also as i said it dose appear some people on here has said they are allowing orders now so maybe it would be a good idea to give um a quick ring and see if they are accepting them and if they can do you any offers

Ash

We all expect there to be no shaping on Sky, at least if they only offer one, or on the top package if they offer more than one.

The main problem with them would be the same as it is on ADSL2+, that the phone line gets LLU'ed as well. That makes migrating away if for some reason you decide to do so rather more complicated. It also seems that you are required to have Sky TV, which is no longer the case on their ADSL2+ LLU.

I assume you are in a Sky LLU area?

From what ive head they'll be using the open reach network just like they do now to get it to your house but also using there own hardware in the cabs and connecting back onto their network to provide the actual bandwidth or something like with the LLU network.

You've heard part right and part wrong .

They will be picking up the feed from Openreach at the exchange, just like BT Wholesale and TalkTalk. That's where it will get into their existing LLU network.

I don't think they will ever have their own equipment in the BT fibre cabs, but in some areas later they may have their own fibre cabs connecting to the BT PCP, (phone cab), and back to the exchange on their own fibre. Even then they would probably use Openreach ducting and poles for their own fibre.

I think they decided that was taking too long for them to be up and running quick enough, given the increasing spread of FTTC via BT Wholesale and TalkTalk and the Olympics coming up. As I understand it, even the pricing for the use of the Openreach ducting and poles isn't sorted out yet.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

From what ive head they'll be using the open reach network just like they do now to get it to your house but also using there own hardware in the cabs and connecting back onto their network to provide the actual bandwidth or something like with the LLU network.

You've heard part right and part wrong .

They will be picking up the feed from Openreach at the exchange, just like BT Wholesale and TalkTalk. That's where it will get into their existing LLU network.

I don't think they will ever have their own equipment in the BT fibre cabs, but in some areas later they may have their own fibre cabs connecting to the BT PCP, (phone cab), and back to the exchange on their own fibre. Even then they would probably use Openreach ducting and poles for their own fibre.

I think they decided that was taking too long for them to be up and running quick enough, given the increasing spread of FTTC via BT Wholesale and TalkTalk and the Olympics coming up. As I understand it, even the pricing for the use of the Openreach ducting and poles isn't sorted out yet.

That sounds about right think ive got mi wires crossed somewhere along line lol

Ash

In reply to a post by acpsd775:

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

From what ive head they'll be using the open reach network just like they do now to get it to your house but also using there own hardware in the cabs and connecting back onto their network to provide the actual bandwidth or something like with the LLU network.

You've heard part right and part wrong .

They will be picking up the feed from Openreach at the exchange, just like BT Wholesale and TalkTalk. That's where it will get into their existing LLU network.

I don't think they will ever have their own equipment in the BT fibre cabs, but in some areas later they may have their own fibre cabs connecting to the BT PCP, (phone cab), and back to the exchange on their own fibre. Even then they would probably use Openreach ducting and poles for their own fibre.

I think they decided that was taking too long for them to be up and running quick enough, given the increasing spread of FTTC via BT Wholesale and TalkTalk and the Olympics coming up. As I understand it, even the pricing for the use of the Openreach ducting and poles isn't sorted out yet.

That sounds about right think ive got mi wires crossed somewhere along line lol

Ash

Hmmm maybe it is worth giving Sky a call - I spoke to one of their live online chat people from their website yesterday (and another one this morning) and both said contradictory things. 1) being that I am not in a Sky Broadband area - when I knew full well that I was as I'd been on their website to check and 2) there were no plans for fibre from Sky. Both were totally useless...!

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/5004-sky-to-launc...

Plus more detail from Andrew in the Comments.

In reply to a post by MrBlueFox:

In reply to a post by acpsd775:

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

... nested quotes trimmed ...

You've heard part right and part wrong .

They will be picking up the feed from Openreach at the exchange, just like BT Wholesale and TalkTalk. That's where it will get into their existing LLU network.

I don't think they will ever have their own equipment in the BT fibre cabs, but in some areas later they may have their own fibre cabs connecting to the BT PCP, (phone cab), and back to the exchange on their own fibre. Even then they would probably use Openreach ducting and poles for their own fibre.

I think they decided that was taking too long for them to be up and running quick enough, given the increasing spread of FTTC via BT Wholesale and TalkTalk and the Olympics coming up. As I understand it, even the pricing for the use of the Openreach ducting and poles isn't sorted out yet.

That sounds about right think ive got mi wires crossed somewhere along line lol

Ash

Hmmm maybe it is worth giving Sky a call - I spoke to one of their live online chat people from their website yesterday (and another one this morning) and both said contradictory things. 1) being that I am not in a Sky Broadband area - when I knew full well that I was as I'd been on their website to check and 2) there were no plans for fibre from Sky. Both were totally useless...!

Sky are offering fibre on a trial basis to consumers who registered via their fibre page at the moment. Staff and some custoemrs have moved across to sky fibre with no issues. At the moment its a 40/2 connection but some staff are testing 40/10 and 80/20 but no dates have been given or even if this will launch.

Sky have two teams working on fibre at the moment until it goes live most CS agents are unable to help with fibre at the moment its "We will call you not you call them". To get sky fibre you must be on a Sky LLU exchange that has had their hardware updated and made fibre ready and take Sky Line Rental with Sky Talk. Sky Fibre, Unlimted, and Connect customers will all get free use of "The Cloud". Those testing Sky fibre so far have seen no drops in speed. If you fill in the info request about sky fibre they will call you to join the trail or update you when the service goes live.

In reply to a post by MrBlueFox:

If, like on Plusnet, we're limited to 5mb then both of us using it will saturate the line :-/

If this is a big issue, add £5/month to the Plusnet prices then do your comparison. This is what the "Pro" add-on costs, which removes any such restrictions.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Plusnet Traffic Management. Not the Pro option to avoid it. I haven't bothered with that.

Bah! "Not" the Pro option should be "Note" the Pro option.