Need assistance in choosing an ISP

Hi all,
I'm still waiting for Lightning Fibre to get my street live so I can switch to them. I'm currently on Openreach's FTTP (with Cerberus Networks) but out of contract and have been for a long time due to waiting for Lightning Fibre who sadly keep giving me new ETAs when I ask, so who knows when it will really be live.

I'm on the 1000/115 package with Cerberus Networks at the moment, spending a whopping £150/mo+ or so (this includes 8 static IP addresses which I'll be scrapping as I now have other resources, that being my own ASN etc., so no need for that anymore). That aside, to renew with Cerberus Networks will obviously put me into a new 12 month contract and sods law Lightning Fibre could be ready anywhere in that timeframe (maybe? *laughs*).

So, I'm looking for another FTTP service ideally with a shorter contract term, but understandably there's very few options. Pulse8 Broadband does monthly contracts but their static IPv4 address addon (which I need for a GRE tunnel) states it's for business packages only. I could downgrade to 500/75 (or 550?) and go with that speed until LF are eventually available here.

Are there any other potential options out there with at most a 3 month contract via Openreach FTTP, which also offer a static IPv4 address? Has anyone here used Pulse8 Broadband and have any feedback regarding their service?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

It appears I have my answer, Pulse8 is presumably the only ISP who does FTTP (via Openreach) on a monthly contract. I'll contact LF later this week to see if there's been any significant progress in getting their service available here, failing that I'll migrate to Pulse8. To workaround needing a static IP address I'll make a simple bash script for the purpose of 'dyndns'.

IDNet do 1 month terms on Openreach (and CF):
https://www.idnet.com/broadband-pricelist.php

Also Cuckoo do monthly FTTP using OR
https://www.cuckoo.co

Edited by Pheasant (Mon 13-Jun-22 13:38:23)

Many thanks! I'll check them both out.

I think IDNet are Zen backhaul right? Reason I ask is because I've had some bad experiences with Zen so may want to avoid them. I guess I could contact IDNet to check and see if this can be changed to an alternative if so. I've heard good things about IDNet in the past.

Cuckoo I've never heard of but look interesting and seem to have a generally positive Trustpilot rating I see. It's not clear on their website if they can offer a static IP address so I'll contact them, although I'm probably blind haha.

EDIT: Found static IP mentioned at https://help.cuckoo.co/en/articles/6155967-can-i-get... - by default it's CGNAT and £1/mo extra for a static IP address. They also appear to use TTB as backhaul, which in the past I've never had issues with when I was with AAISP.

Edited by Ixel (Mon 13-Jun-22 14:38:32)

Yes Zen backhaul is my understanding with IDNet, but might be worth double checking. I currently have an TTB FTTP service and it’s been rock solid. Their customer service may be questionable, but their core network is top notch.

I've spoken to LF and the latest is it could be today or anytime within the next few weeks depending on where my address is on a list they are slowly making live in batches (from what I understood). I guess this might be to possibly control the number of orders and installations so that it doesn't get overwhelming at any one time. Credit to LF though as they've adjusted my deal to make it even more desirable when I can signup and of course they were apologetic for the ETAs keep dragging out.

Anyway, after much consideration I've decided I will try Cuckoo as they don't use Zen. Hopefully a smooth migration and no trouble for the duration I use their service.

Thanks again.