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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.

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Tiscali are one of the most shocking providers in the market as evidenced by feedback on this site. You might save a few quid now by choosing them but you'll pay for it in the long run if you have issues or need to change provider.

Please please please do a little research and give your parents money to a provider that treats customers better - if your folks ever need support then you'll see how it will be worth its weight in gold.

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The likes of TalkTalk, Tiscali, Virgin etc are all cheap for a reason.

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Leaving cost aside for a moment, all 3 of these providers have a woeful customer support reputation so I wouldn't recommend any of these.

Would urge you to try and find a provider that at least makes some effort with support.

Don't even consider moving your phone line to Tiscali.

My parents have been with them as an ISP for about 5 years. Just after Christmas they decided to go in for the line rental and broadband service.

However, just a week after making the switch, their phoneline kept going dead. No dial tone, but if you rang their number, whilst their phone itself wouldn't ring, to the person calling it sounded like everything was as normal. This continued on and off for another week for anything up to 3 hours at a time, then it all went totally dead.

They had no phone service for over a week, and despite opening up a ticket with their helpdesk, they were not given any advice or information about what was happening for 4 days. Then when they did eventually get a response from Tiscali, it was just to say that they were working on the fault. During this time, my dad switched the phone service back to BT and they've had no problems with the phone line ever since.

However, now they have had no internet access for nearly 6 days. My dad rang technical support on Thursday night after the connection had been down for a day and was told that service would be resumed in around 4 hours. When I spoke to him earlier this morning, they were still without an internet connection, and despite emailing customer support about it on his behalf on Friday, they have so far failed to respond.

Best one I have found is Newnet lite at �12.95 per month with a 1 month contract and 3GB download allowance and no set up fees if you already have BB.

Just a follow up - my parents decided to go with Talk Talk (International 2 plan) - line rental including free international anytime calls and broadband for �16.49 per month.

So far so good. In fact, they (and me) have been very happy with the service to date.

Ordered the package over the phone, and within a couple of days the welcome pack had arrived, specifying an activation date of 29th Feb.

There were a few teething problems (mainly they didn't actually turn on the service until 1st March), but calls to the technical help line (free phone) sorted this out without any problems. Waiting time on the helpdesk was very reasonable, typically under a couple of minutes.

After setting up the talk talk modem, I had my own wireless router that I tried to set up but couldn't get working. I phoned tech help line, and the guy there although not familiar with the particular modem was very helpful and talked me carefully through all the settings. He seemed to know what he was talking about too, and we got working within a few minutes. He also gave me the number of the support line for the modem manufacturer too should the settings he gave me not work. Yes, he was based in India, and accent a little hard to understand sometimes, but he was very well trained, quick to get through, and helpful.

Speed of the broadband is a tad slower than Newnet when running the speed test, but so far as web surfing and checking of emails, unnoticeable speed difference thus far.

So overall, very impressed (given my low expectations!). Fingers crossed that it stays like this... Thanks to everyone for the responses that got me away from Tiscali, and esp thanks to the guy who recommended talk talk...!

Well, you can't say you weren't warned about Talk Talk

Good Luck anyway and come back in a month with an update

I am going through this exact same thing at the moment and so was interested in this thread.

The only difference with me is I am considering Orange who I like as a mobile operator but not sure about their broadband. But their new introductory offer is hard to ignore.

Paul

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....their new introductory offer is hard to ignore.

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but most of us who value their connection/sanity will manage!

How much grief can you put up with to save a few quid a month ?

After the rest of your body warms up.

Take a good look in the forum of the company you want to join.

The problems suffered dont just happen to other people.