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.

In reply to:

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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.

In reply to:

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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

In reply to:

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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.

In reply to:

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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.

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Their abysmal reputation is also hard to ignore.

If you value your sanity you are well advised to look around for a better choice.

Although I can find good things to say and read about TT I can find nothing at all in favour of Orange broadband. See here.

Maybe Plusnet would suit you. At least they seem to want to improve.

Edit:- And my mobile has been with Orange since some time in the 80s or early 90s. I'm happy with them for that.

Edited by RobertoS (Tue 04-Mar-08 10:37:05)

I would avoid Orange based on most feedback they are fighting with vrigin adsl and tiscali to be the worst ISP in the country. I use Plusnet and they are good for most things such as gaming, web browsing etc just make sure you carefullly read the terms of their different packages as they use traffic shaping but it is all clearly explained unlike most ISP's.

My elderly and infirm mother had the Talk Talk package and it ended up costing here a small fortune as she had to call the 0870 support number from her PAYG mobile when her phone stopped working. I also tried to call T-T support and it took about an hour to get through. It took 7 weeks for her to be reconnected.

She is now back with BT (line rental) and uses Vonage as she call the US a lot. After she (re) joined BT there was a line fault again but because of her age BT had her up and running again within 48Hrs.

With Talk Talk so long as there are no probs you are fine but if you have an issue then god help you. Don't believe me call Talk Talk support line 0870 087 8777 and see how long you have to wait. It's also a joke as they say that calling this number is free from your Talk Talk fone.......................

Good Luck

My work colleague hates Orange as they billed her after she'd migrated to Sky, and thinks they (Orange) are the worst ISP in the country. Another work colleague is migrating to Sky from Tiscali, so she might disagree with that assessment

Plusnet have their problems, but by all accounts (excluding those from people who left years ago and still hold a grudge ) they're okay... but you might want to set up an ISP-independent e-mail account -- not saying Plusnet will have e-mail troubles again (!!), but it's best not to be tied to an ISP's address

No wonder talk talks tech phoneline is so busy with all the non customers phoning it to see how long it takes!

Maybe i was lucky but i have phoned 4 times and always got thru within a few mins. They are open long hours so worth waiting to phone off peak...

I appreciate the irony tho of free line from tt phones if your phone is not working!