Thinking of getting BT Infinity

Hi guys,
I'm thinking of making the jump and ordering BT Infinity to replace my 4MB O2 broadband. Just have a couple of questions -
1) As my master socket is located nowhere near my I want it to be, will the engineer be able to drill holes in walls to get it where I want it to be (as an extension)?
2) How long is the lead time between ordering, receiving the home hub and installation typically?
3) How accurate are the speed figures on the BT Phone Line checker (mine says 44MB up and 8Mb down) bearing in mind for my for my ADSL2+ connection I wa predicted 8MB up on a 44db attenuation but I only get 4MB.
Thanks!

1. probably, but if you want to be sure you could drill the holes in advance and ask to run an extension through them?
2. that seems to depend on where you are and how busy Openreach are. Whan you place an order you are probably given an idea of available install dates.
3. it''s an estimate but the resulting speed depends on factorsd outside BT's control (and probably knowledge) like the degree of corrosion on the wires (which they may not have looked at in decades). It's also possible that your current ADSL speed is reduced by noise from home wiring, which the checker wouldn't know about, and which you may wish to improve anyway.
3.5. are you standing on your head? I think you mean 44 down, 8 up (and 8 down / 4 down on ADSL).

1) Nowhere near could be a long way and six walls. They certainly will go through walls, but maybe there's a limit within the time allowed.

2) Varies depending on the area you are in. SOme are within a few days, some can be weeks. If your phone isn't with BT Retail that can slow things down. Is the phone with O2, because if it is you will have to move it within a short time of migrating the broadband.

3) Reasonably good for fibre.

Question - why Infinity?

In reply to a post by Nick_C:

BT Phone Line checker (mine says 44MB up and 8Mb down) bearing in mind for my for my ADSL2+ connection I wa predicted 8MB up on a 44db attenuation but I only get 4MB.
Thanks!

I didn't think about this bit, but upside down as Uilebheist says, and Mbps, not MegaBytes.

The 8Mbps on ADSL2+ looks very high. Over 7Mbps connection is unlikely, and that would give 5.8Mbps speed tests result on a very lucky day. What are your line stats. (If using the O2 box, available through SuperUser. See www.o2help.co.uk).

Edited by RobertoS (Sun 13-Jan-13 15:02:06)

my gut guess is you more likely to get above the estimated speed in a low populated area as the bundles may be of lower density and less crosstalk affect.

if you first on the cabinet you will probably get much higher than the estimate.

Thanks for all the replies. Seems like I did reverse my up and down values! BT looks the best option as I already have my line with BT and they have an unlimited usage allowance, plus I don't have sky or virgin media. Anyone have any experience of other fttc providers?

Plusnet will give you a good run for your money - based on mine and other's experience.

I've been with the premium-priced IDNet FTTC and now on Plusnet Unlimited Fibre, in effect since February 2012 and have just extended my minimum term by 11 months to upgrade to the (new) Unlimited product. So a big vote of confidence from me.

(On Plusnet - 40/2 40GB peak-time allowance >> 80/20 with 250GB peak-time allowance still within the original 18-month term, and today the move to 80/20 unlimited, restarting the 18 months).

Another vote for Plus Net here, been with them since 2003, a bit cheaper than BT as well I think, especially if you can refer people you'll get a monthly discount for as long as they are with PN.

Would I have to move my phone line to them though? Also does BT infinity throttle online gaming eg Xbox live?

You do not have to move your line rental to Plusnet. If you do, it is still a "BT" line if and when you want to migrate the broadband away. So no big deal.

Only Sky, TalkTalk, C & W and some of the resold TalkTalk packages stop it being a BT line.

If you don't, there is an installation charge. All ISPs have one for FTTC, but it is normally waived if you take their phone line rental. You don't see it on BT Retail because they insist on you having their line rental.

I don't think BT throttle XBox. Only P2P most of the time. Plusnet actively prioritise gaming against browsing and P2P. Have a read of this page. It applies within your connection and across all connections.

Thanks for the help. I am know strongly considering Plusnet now!
Also would I need to obtain a MAC code from my previous ISP? Because according to a live chat person from Plusnet I don't need to!


Zara: Hi, my name is Zara, I'm here to help you with your Plusnet order today.
Nick: hello zara, it just have a quick question about the unlimited fibre product.
Zara: I'll be happy to assist you with this
Nick: if i ordered now how long will it take for an engineer to be booked?
Zara: Your phone line will take around 3 weeks, Plusnet will call you to confirm the engineer appointment. Your broadband will usually be activated on the same day.
Nick: oh ok
Nick: when will the router be sent usually?
Nick: and do i require a mac code when ordering online?
Zara: This is send a few days before the service is activated.
Zara: And you will not need a MAc code to order.
Nick: are you sure? because i am with O2 broadband at the moment
Zara: Yes I am sure.
Zara: You can order without a MAC code.
Nick: will i need to let plusnet know afterwards when i obtain a mac code?
Nick: and when do i need to tell my existing provider that i am leaving them?
Zara: All you need to do is place your order online and call your current provider and give them notice. After the order is placed we will contact them and arrange the dates to do the switch.
Zara: If the MAC code is required this can be added to your order.
Nick: so i dont need to contact them for a mac code? As I am on a rolling contract at the moment anyway
Zara: If a MAC code is needed, you would need to contact them.
Nick: ok thanks for the help.
Zara: You're welcome.
Nick: have a nice day.

Zara contradicted her self.

First she says "You can order without a MAC code"
Then she says "If the MAC code is required this can be added to your order"

What I read this as meaning is that PlusNet's online ordering system will allow you to place an order with them without the MAC but when they realise that there is an existing provider on the line they will ask for a MAC before placing the FTTC order with BT Wholesale.

This is just so they can get as many orders in as quick as possible.

I see. Would I need to phone them after I place an order to provide them with a MAC code, or will do this themselves?

I would suggest neither.

Obtain a MAC from O2 then place the order. The fact they will allow you to place an order without providing a MAC doesn't mean it's the right thing to do - it might cause things to go less smoothly.

The only providers that don't need a MAC when migrating from another ISP are Sky and TalkTalk - as they take over the whole line, they have their own PSTN equipment in the exchange, wheras all other line rental providers like PlusNet still rent BT Wholesale's PSTN equipment - the MAC process is required only when on BT Wholesale's PSTN network.

Ok I see. So you would suggest I phone O2 for a MAC code and then what would I do with it if I dont phone Plusnet after ordering to give it to them?

izools is right, that Plusnet, and every ISP I have ever dealt with, can accept an order without a MAC. That allows you to get deals that expire the next day when you haven't even asked for the MAC. He is also right that the order doesn't get submitted to Openreach until the new ISP gets the MAC from you. The whole point of a MAC is that it goes through you, thus in theory preventing broadband slamming.

I'm not so sure about zara's Simultaneous Provide of the broadband and line. (How did she know you wanted phone as well? It isn't in the transcript). Generally Plusnet get the broadband across first and the line a little later. This is normally regarded as better and safer.

Also the phone change normally has a built-in 2-week delay to allow the losing provider to check with you that you do wish to move, (to prevent phone line slamming), and of course let them offer you a retention deal - so making the broadband wait as well. If you then decide to leave your line where it is, (I'm now guessing), the phone order at Plusnet has to be cancelled, and as it is linked to the broadband that might get cancelled as well. Leaving you back at square one and very frustrated.

Edit - to clarify. A SIM Provide entails a special form of order number (to Openreach) for the phone transfer, which as to be quoted on the broadband order to Openreach, who then tie the two together for the provisioning.

If Openreach are informed by the losing provider that the phone order is to be cancelled, then that SIM Provide including the broadband order I expect dies, as there is no longer a phone order to link the broadband one to. Quite independently of the broadband order from Plusnet to Openreach.

Edited by RobertoS (Sat 19-Jan-13 16:06:34)

Again, as izools says. Get the MAC from O2 first. They also seem to want you not to submit it to the new ISP for seven days. There is currently some discussion about this on the O2 forum, with no definitive statement from O2.

Yes, I forgot to mention to the rep that I only wanted broadband!
So your advise would be to obtain the MAC first from O2 and announce intention to cancel, place an order online with fibre provider, then phone them afterwards with the MAC?

In reply to a post by Nick_C:

Yes, I forgot to mention to the rep that I only wanted broadband!
So your advise would be to obtain the MAC first from O2 and announce intention to cancel, place an order online with fibre provider, then phone them afterwards with the MAC?

Well yes, but I think you will find that you are prompted for the MAC during the order process with Plus Net anyway. It's just an optional field - still best filled in!

I gather you aren't moving the phone from BT? So all is (nearly) plain sailing.

Get the MAC. Don't mention cancellation! When you migrate out, the date of issue of the MAC is automatically taken by O2 as the start of your notice period. As soon as you have migrated, ring O2 and make sure they have been notified.

Then (you'll see what I mean when you get it) either wait 7 days then order online from Plusnet, with the MAC, (or if there is a deal expiring in that time order it now without the MAC and phone it in 7 days after you get it), or take a slight risk and order online with the MAC straight away but when given dates to choose from don't pick one less than seven days from when they send the MAC.

I'm not sure how clear that is. What is certain is that O2 require seven days notice - the question is whether that seven days refers to the migration date, (which it should), or the date you submit the MAC to your new ISP.

Again, thanks for the advice guys. To be honest I would want to keep the phone with BT and order the Fibre Only product with Plusnet even though there is a £50 installation fee.

In reply to a post by Nick_C:

Again, thanks for the advice guys. To be honest I would want to keep the phone with BT and order the Fibre Only product with Plusnet even though there is a £50 installation fee.

Presumably because you're still in contract with BT?

In reply to a post by Nick_C:

To be honest I would want to keep the phone with BT and order the Fibre Only product with Plusnet even though there is a £50 installation fee.

Same here. I'm still with BT for the phone, having had the opportunity to move it to O2 and IDnet as my two previous ISPs.

Andddd Wheeeee!

As of two days ago I have the BT SmartTalk app on my Android phone. Gone are the frequent annoying needs to get off my backside and walk to the other end of the room to pick up the landline handset for anything starting "08"! Apparently it also picks up BT WiFi spots even though I'm not on BT Broadband.

Just got my MAC code from O2, will probably order Plusnet Unlimited Fibre next week!

In reply to a post by Nick_C:

Just got my MAC code from O2, will probably order Plusnet Unlimited Fibre next week!

Did you phone them? Do they give it over the phone or do they email to you?

Thanks

Plenty of time to think . Getting the MAC doesn't commit you to anything.

Have you had the ambiguous email about the 7 days?

So far I've only had a text which contained my MAC code, no sign of an email.
They did mention if I use the code within 7 days of receiving it, it will incur a £15 charge.

That's the one. Wierd. As far as I'm aware nobody has dared submit it before the seven days is up, even though after say 5 days it should be late enough to mean you don't leave in less than seven.

Just had Plusnet Fibre installed on Friday and getting speeds close to the estimate (40MB down / 10MB up). The engineer did not use the actual master socket, he used a data extension cable (not Cat 5 apparently - used a cable which is 'less twisted') to wire from the master socket to a location nearer the computer, and attached a socket with both phone and data port to the end of this cable (confused!). So he did not convert the actual master to a new vdsl master socket, just relocated it! Still getting good speeds so I'm not complaining!

Edited by deleted (Sun 10-Feb-13 10:02:26)

Enjoy.

In reply to a post by Nick_C:

attached a socket with both phone and data port to the end of this cable (confused!).

Isn't that for Fibre Phone if you ever get FTTH?

I have no idea!