In reply to a post by RobertoS:

In which case it may be worth stopping using Hive, whatever you do about your ISP. Plusnet "Anytime" is £5pm.

Thanks.

Yes; it looks as if you are right. I've not had a chance to call BT yet; but that looks like the first thing I should do now to see what they can offer me.

Hi

You know you don't need fibre because you can do everything you need already! The speed test confirms this quantitatively - your line can manage over 13Mbps (Megabits per second) download, iplayer hd needs 3.5Mbps to stream, Netflix in HD about 7Mbps.

If you move to Plusnet, it's very easy to change the broadband username and password on your existing router. You can try it now - type in 192.168.1.1 in your web browser where you normally type a web address. Log in to the router's pages typing in admin as the username and password. Click on Quick Setup and there should be an entry for username and password which you can amend and save.

If you wish to use the Plusnet router, you don't have to reconfigure each wireless device, you can simply log into the router (similar process as above in principle) and change its wireless settings to match that of the TP-Link, then every device will connect as though nothing has changed.

ISPs are not the same as gas or electric where there is no real difference in the end product. After the exchange, the bandwidths and routes are different - peak time speeds and reliability can be different, could be better or worse than you have now.

As well as bargaining hard on the phone, remember to tot up online discounts and vouchers. A site called Quidco works with the major ISPs to offer cashback deals. Right now if you switch to Plusnet Unlimited I believe your broadband component works out to be the grand cost of free over an 18 month contract.

Thank you very much for your clear and detailed and encouraging post. It is very much appreciated.

In reply to a post by vimto_girl:

Hi

You know you don't need fibre because you can do everything you need already! The speed test confirms this quantitatively - your line can manage over 13Mbps (Megabits per second) download, iplayer hd needs 3.5Mbps to stream, Netflix in HD about 7Mbps.

Thank you for confirming this. As I said; I don't really understand what the figures in the speedtest mean.

In reply to a post by vimto_girl:

If you move to Plusnet, it's very easy to change the broadband username and password on your existing router. You can try it now - type in 192.168.1.1 in your web browser where you normally type a web address. Log in to the router's pages typing in admin as the username and password. Click on Quick Setup and there should be an entry for username and password which you can amend and save.

Thanks for this; I will try what you suggest later on.

In reply to a post by vimto_girl:

If you wish to use the Plusnet router, you don't have to reconfigure each wireless device, you can simply log into the router (similar process as above in principle) and change its wireless settings to match that of the TP-Link, then every device will connect as though nothing has changed.

OK; I think I see what you are saying. You're suggesting I log into the TP Link and take a note of the wireless setting before I change anything. Then, if I get a Plusnet router, change the settings in that so they are the same as my current TP Link settings?

I don't know if it is relevant (my apologies for not mentioning it before if it is) but upstairs I have a TP LInk 'wireless extender' that is linked to the router and extends the wireless range.

In reply to a post by vimto_girl:

ISPs are not the same as gas or electric where there is no real difference in the end product. After the exchange, the bandwidths and routes are different - peak time speeds and reliability can be different, could be better or worse than you have now.

I see. I wasn't sure about this. I presumed that BT managed the 'traffic' through the exchange and could therefore cut the download speed for non BT customers if they so desired. Are you saying that there are factors at work that could effect my 'non BT' download speed and it is really pot luck as what you get?

Is there anyway of finding out what typical download speeds are for Plusnet customers in my locality?

In reply to a post by vimto_girl:

As well as bargaining hard on the phone, remember to tot up online discounts and vouchers. A site called Quidco works with the major ISPs to offer cashback deals. Right now if you switch to Plusnet Unlimited I believe your broadband component works out to be the grand cost of free over an 18 month contract.

Thanks for that. I hadn't considered using cashback sites.

I still have not had the chance to call BT to see what they can offer me; I must do that soon.

Again; many thanks for your very helpful post.

In reply to a post by Jelly_Tussle:

I presumed that BT managed the 'traffic' through the exchange and could therefore cut the download speed for non BT customers if they so desired.

BTW are forbidden by regualation to show preference to any ISP, incl. BTR.

In reply to a post by Jelly_Tussle:

Is there anyway of finding out what typical download speeds are for Plusnet customers in my locality?

Put your postcode in BB Maps and enable Speedtest Results.

Edited by XRaySpeX (Thu 13-Feb-14 12:52:29)

In reply to a post by Jelly_Tussle:

I presumed that BT managed the 'traffic' through the exchange and could therefore cut the download speed for non BT customers if they so desired.

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

BTW are forbidden by regualation to show preference to any ISP, incl. BTR.

Thanks for that; I didn't realise that was the case.

In reply to a post by Jelly_Tussle:

Is there anyway of finding out what typical download speeds are for Plusnet customers in my locality?

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

Put you phone # in BB Maps and enable Speedtest Results.

Thank you again; that's very interesting. I've had a quick look and I cannot see where to enter my phone number.

The box at the upper left tells me to enter my post code; which I have done. The resulting map shows available speeds in my area which vary quite a bit. Is this an aggregate of all the results done via Thinkbroadbands speed checker?

I ask because the result closest to my location is practically the same as my own speedtest. If that is the case; then presumably the result shows all ISP's? If so; is there any way of filtering the results to show selected ISP's?

Once again; very many thank for your help.

We aggregate results for a postcode, but do split them out to show range and the ISP if multiple tests in a postcode.

Click each flag to show the ISP.

Tests only show for a period of four months, they are then expired, this stops old slow connections showing up.

Sorry, I meant postcode.

Click on any speed bubble & you get the breakdown by ISP.

Bear in mind that a high proportion of the general population will have home wiring issues and lose a lot of speed. They just don't know it should be better.

In reply to a post by Jelly_Tussle:

I do phone 0845, 0871 etc numbers; but only when I usually have to query something with a company or organisation that uses such numbers as their point of contact.

You can always try this site to get a geographic number which would be free or cheaper.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

We aggregate results for a postcode, but do split them out to show range and the ISP if multiple tests in a postcode.

Click each flag to show the ISP.

Tests only show for a period of four months, they are then expired, this stops old slow connections showing up.

Thanks for that. I didn't realise I had to click on the flag/bubble for the info - sorry!

Well; BT seems to be the majority provider in my area with a few others supplied by Sky, Virgin and Zen. Sadly I can't see any pPlusnet customers.