Tiscali - should I do it?!

I'm currently researching which DSL broadband provider to get for my parents...

They currently have NewNet at around �19 per month and a BT phone line for �11 per month. They use the internet for mainly email and occassional (very) light surfing.

Switching to Tiscali, on the face of it, would seem to save a lot of money - they offer a �15 per month broadband/phone line combined package with free evening/weekend UK calls, on a 12 month contract. I believe that they would then no longer have to pay the BT line rental on top, so saving �15 per month (plus gaining free phone calls and cheaper phone rates to mobiles than BT offers).

I appreciate all the extremely bad reviews that Tiscali has on here and elsewhere, but given my parents expected usage, I'm sure a slow speed won't bother them too much. I know a little bit about computers, so hopefully they won't need the (overseas based!) phone support line.

Is there any other reason why they shouldn't go with Tiscali? Will I regret advising them this if they do go for it? Are there any other phone line & broadband combined packages out there at a comparable price?

Thanks in advance for any comments!

Please look elsewhere,your parents still need a decent isp,how ever little they use BB.

You may be good at computers, can you fix the broadband if it breaks, remember there are many times you'll need to use support, and thats when it makes a difference.

If they just do a little email and web browsing then probably OK, but if they are discovering things like online radio and video content then they may start to feel the effects.

Check out IDNET with their PAYG product. They may not be the cheapest but any problems are sorted out over the phone (free) or by email and everyhthing is very quick and based in Uk. Only a 1 month contract. They are extremely helpful.

www.idnet.co.uk

IDNet Studio, The Spirella Building, Letchworth, Herts SG6 4ET. UK
T: 08000 267 237 | E: [email protected]

They currently have NewNet at around �19 per month.

That looks like the Home S package on annual contract, with 20GB allowance. That is huge for what you describe. The Home Lite or Home Lite 12 seem more appropriate - �11.95pm for 3GB or �9.95pm for 1GB on annual contracts.

The phone line can be transferred to the Post Office for a lower rental and I think lower call charges. Why not look at Post Office Broadband as well.

Even Plusnet is a better bet than Tiscali.

Do they have Sky TV? Can they get Sky LLU? See here. Sky LLU broadband at �5 per month would be fine.

My ancient brother went to Talk Talk International 3 a few months ago and is pleased as punch, as are his friends who recommended it to him. See Talk International 2 unless they ring Australia or similar 2 or 3 times a week like his wife does. Looks worse on the TBB ratings than Tiscali, not quite as bad here.

Edited by RobertoS (Tue 05-Feb-08 22:34:34)

parents use BT as it is cheap, had no end of problems with the indian script monkeys, threatened to move ISP if not get help, in the end it was a dodgy lan connection on their mobo as it had worked on my own lan, did not think it was that

spoke to some english woman who asked me to do all the tests had already done

tiscali I hear are worse, suspect the OP will be the tech support for all ISP problems

Thanks for all the replies - much appreciated!

I've read enough to put me off Tiscali now, thinking of trying Talk Talk as that has free international calls too which would be useful for my parents who have relatives abroad.

I know there are loads of negatives about talk talk on here too, but it seems that there are these negatives about every ISP that offers cheap deals (i guess no surprise then).

Talk talk doesn't sound as bad as tiscali, and it is only marginally more expensive at �16.39 per month for broadband and phone line. They also do a 30 day no quibble get-out clause, so if it doesn't work we can get out of the contract.

Tempted to go for that unless anyone persuades me against it... (you all were very successful about turning me against Tiscali!!).

Edited by ender4000 (Tue 05-Feb-08 23:47:38)

Hi,

The likes of TalkTalk, Tiscali, Virgin etc are all cheap for a reason. You will tend to get a poor quality connection supported by teams who are outsourced on the cheap. This means you are more likely to get a poor connection faults and when you need support you will find them next to useless. Just make sure you know what to expect when you chose the cheap option and are not disappointed.

My impression is that TalkTalk just couldn't cope with the huge influx of business last year, but are gradually sorting themselves out. If I were after a real cheapy I'd pick them.

That's my impression too.

To the OP - I gave you a link to International 2. My bro is actually on International 3 - totally free calls. have a look there too.