Moving House New ISP Recommendations?

I'm currently on Virgin Media cable broadband but in a few months will be moving and they dont currently have cable there, so its through the phone line.

I'm not currently up to speed on it through a phone line so bare with me...

This is will be my exchange... pretty naff but better than nothing.

Currently it looks like with most of them the max i'm going to get is 2.5mb, which is not terrible as i dont do lots of downloading but i do use it all day, so needs to be reliable.

The only difference from admittedly limited research seems to be the cost?

TalkTalk have (CPW) LLU enabled on the line, will this make their speeds quicker and worth considering?

I think the current occupant has Post Office broadband.

With BT owning the line would it be worth considering them if anything goes wrong, if you go with someone else wont they have to contact them to sort it out?


Cheers for any input

The main question you need to understand is how much are you downloading per month. is it 2G, 10G, 50G, 250G etc....

The second questions is when downloading, is this via web, email, P2P.

Most ISP's have a limit as to the monthly download, and is you use that, the line is 'slowed'. They then also slow down some services when busy, e.g. P2P download (bit torrent).

You then need to trade off cost (£) vs. download needed (50G) vs. usage (Web/email/p2p).

At you exchange I would suggest you look at: talk talk, vivaciti, zen, xilo, BT, Plusnet, Post office, and make your choice from there.

No t does not work like that, if you went with BT Retail, and there was a line problem, they would have to call the same people as every other ISP would call, there is no preference to BT Retail in getting any services sorted out.

In reply to a post by vivaciti:

No t does not work like that, if you went with BT Retail, and there was a line problem, they would have to call the same people as every other ISP would call, there is no preference to BT Retail in getting any services sorted out.

But there seems to be great difficulty in getting them even to accept there is a problem that isn't caused by the customer's filter or similar. "You have a broadband connection, so that's fine".

Thanks for the replies guys.

Why should i just consider those isp's over others?

I work from home a web developer so although i never p2p i'm downloading html,css all day and do the odd film from iTunes etc, so i think i need unlimited just incase. I know its not actually unlimited, my current VM Cable is the same but never had any fair usage letters.

As i mentioned BT are due to upgrade that exchange to infinity next March, so worth going with them ready, or will that boost the line for all providers?

See my FTTx page, and on the suppliers page under it is a list, with a link to orly/yarwell's comparison spreadsheet.

Infinity is the best value for money, as they seem to be pricing at a very low level to grab the market, at the expense of profit. I have a feeling that business use is prohibited in the T & Cs though.

NetWorx includes a very good usage monitor.

When BT upgrades that exchange around March next year, will it upgrade the speeds for everyone, all isp's?

Or only folk with BT Infinity?

I read that its different technology, so if your not on BT you could be stuck with the old exchange speeds, whilst folk on BT could have improved speeds?

This doesn't sound right to me..

?
What is unclear about my page, and list, and the third-party spreadsheet?

I couldn't find it or really understand it.

Infinity is not currently at the exchange that provides the property i'm moving to.

Trying to determine if its worth going with BT now ready for when it is, as i'll get faster speeds when they do set it up there.

Even if you go with BT now, you will not automatically get faster speeds when your exchange is enabled.

Infinity is a BT Retail broadband product, based on a BT Wholesale product just like nearly all ISPs ADSLx products (including BT Total Broadband) are based on BT Wholesale. Only LLU ISPs don't use BT Wholesale broadband.

There are many other ISPs who can provide that BT Wholesale FTTC product, click here to get a list. Infinity is just BT Retail's name for their packages.

When your exchange is FTTC enabled you will be able to order FTTC from any of those, including Infinity if you are close enough. (Infinity is only available to customers if the estimate for their line is above 15Mbps. The other ISPs will normally accept orders even if BT won't).

Because FTTC products are a different technology from ADSLx, no-one gets upgraded automatically. If you have a Ford Focus, and they bring out a better engine, you don't get an upgrade. You have to buy a new car.

So if you go to BT now, you will still have to "migrate" to Infinity when it comes. Or you could go to any ISP you want now, as all you have to do is migrate at the time. Assuming you get a monthly contract.

Is that better?

Thanks very much for that.

So other ISP's are stuck on their own speeds, or can they do their own 'infinity' as it were, once BT have upgraded the exchange?

So it works in a different way to current ASDL, makes no difference about distance?

Because obviously currently the house i'm moving too is far away, as the exchange supports 8mb but houses in the area can only get 1.5/2...

I'm hoping the 1.5/2 will be improved regardless who its with.

Unfortunately most ISP's have yearly contracts, do BT not allow you to swap services then as you mentioned?

The distance from the cabinet to your house is what matters as that is the same copper line you have now. Somewhere I thought I had a link to a spreadsheet that shows post codes against cabinets, but can't find it just now.

Yes, other ISPs can do their own "Infinity", except they can supply their version when BT will not supply Infinity because they say you are too far away from the cabinet.

Re contracts, contrary to what you think most ISPs offer monthly contracts on ADSLx, though not on FTTC. At least 9 on that list, and I think 12 of them.

Thank you very much again

This might be a stupid question, but if you can get broadband currently regardless of speed, does that mean there is a roadside cabinet, thus so can get infinity speed when it comes around?

However, that speed will depend on the distance from the roadside cabinet?

Is there a minimum speed you can connect to a cabinet, say 10mb if your furthest away..?

Nearly all phone lines have a cabinet for the phone system, (though I think it can be underground, and places very close to the exchange may be supplied direct from there. Lines supplied direct from the exchange cannot get FTTC/Infinity as they have no cabinet).

ADSLx broadband comes down the line from the exchange on the normal phone system.

For a cabinet to be enabled for FTTC/Infinity, a second cabinet is put near to it, with a fibre feed from the exchange. The two cabinets are then connected so the fibre feed can get onto the copper between you and the original one, which then supplies everything to you just like it does now.

When an exchange is enabled, not all cabinets are sure to get enabled. Some will be, by definition, and maybe all, but not necessarily all.

If you put a phone number into this checker, or if you haven't got a relevant number the address is next choice, then the post code, you will get at scheduled availability date for the cabinet for there. However the phone number is the safest, as when it comes to the exchange getting enabled the cabinet date can change to later, or even get removed. It's complicated, but still the best guide there is for people like us.

If the estimate is under 15Mbps then the BT (Retail) Infinity checker will show as not available and not scheduled. Zilch. But the checker I have given you there will show it even when much lower, and most of the ones on my list will supply. As you can see, some even at 5Mbps.

If the estimate is around 12Mbps or higher then it is almost certain you would get over 15Mbps anyway. Everybody I have seen gets a lot more than the estimate.

Brilliant thanks

This is what i got, just from the post code, not got a tel number yet, well the current occupants obviously have as they have Post Office BB i just dont know it..

Your exchange is ADSL enabled, and our initial check on your postcode indicates that your line should be able to have an ADSL broadband service that provides a fixed line speed up to 512Kbps. However, due to the length of your line, an engineer visit may be required, who will, where possible, supply the broadband service.

Our check also indicates that your line currently supports an estimated ADSL Max broadband line speed of 1.5Mbps; typically the line speed would range between 1Mbps and 2.5Mbps.

Our test also indicates that your line currently supports a fibre technology with an estimated WBC FTTC Broadband where consumers have received downstream line speed between 29.2 to 33 Mbps and upstream line speed between 6.4 to 7.8 Mbps.

The actual stable line speed supportable will be determined during the first 10 days of use. This speed may change over time, to ensure line stability is maintained.

If you decide to place an order, a further test will be performed to confirm if your line is suitable for the service you wish to purchase.

Thank you for your interest.

Dunno if that means when the upgrade the exchange i'll be ok to get it or not...

In reply to a post by jezthomp:

Dunno if that means when the upgrade the exchange i'll be ok to get it or not...

On their current plans, yes it does. And once the exchange is enabled you would be able to get Infinity, or any of the others.

Brilliant so i just have to sit back and wait for them to upgrade my exchange and i'll then get pretty decent speeds?

Spoken to BT and they say that they will transfer me to infinity (when available) for free from any connection i currently get, obviously taking in to account increase in monthly costs.

Interesting that my current BT exchange in city is not on the schedule to be upgraded, this year or next.

Is that because its makes sense to upgrade more rural premises/exchanges as town/city centres have decent wiring and connections already?

In reply to a post by jezthomp:

Interesting that my current BT exchange in city is not on the schedule to be upgraded, this year or next.

Is that because its makes sense to upgrade more rural premises/exchanges as town/city centres have decent wiring and connections already?

No. It's a mystery to everyone on these forums. Rural areas are getting very badly treated.

Been reading on your site a bit more very helpful.

Once the exchange is upgraded, is it right that unless the roadside box near my house is also given an upgrade i will notice no improvement whats so ever?

Is there any anything to look out for in regard to whether they will apply the upgrade to the roadside box also, or it it completely random?

In reply to a post by jezthomp:

Been reading on your site a bit more very helpful.

Thanks .

Once the exchange is upgraded, is it right that unless the roadside box near my house is also given an upgrade i will notice no improvement whats so ever?

Nearly right. Unless the roadside box gets an FTTC cabinet near it then you cannot get FTTC/Infinity, but the estimate you posted means that current plans (which can change) are for it to get one. What you don't seem to have quite grasped is that no-one gets an improvement unless they order one of the faster packages. If they do nothing then their connection stays just as it was before.

Is there any anything to look out for in regard to whether they will apply the upgrade to the roadside box also, or it it completely random?

Just keep checking that link is best, every couple of weeks or so.

In reply to a post by jezthomp:

Been reading on your site a bit more very helpful.

Thanks .

Once the exchange is upgraded, is it right that unless the roadside box near my house is also given an upgrade i will notice no improvement whats so ever?

Nearly right. Unless the roadside box gets an FTTC cabinet near it then you cannot get FTTC/Infinity, but the estimate you posted means that current plans (which can change) are for it to get one. What you don't seem to have quite grasped is that no-one gets an improvement unless they order one of the faster packages. If they do nothing then their connection stays just as it was before.

Is there any anything to look out for in regard to whether they will apply the upgrade to the roadside box also, or it it completely random?

Hmm done a more detailed check on that link you sent with my future address and not looking good i think...?

My address...
Exchange SUDBROOKE PARK

Your exchange is ADSL enabled, and our initial check on your address indicates that your line should be able to have an ADSL broadband service that provides a fixed line speed up to 512Kbps. However, due to the length of your line, an engineer visit may be required, who will, where possible, supply the broadband service.

Our check also indicates that your line currently supports an estimated ADSL Max broadband line speed of 1.5Mbps; typically the line speed would range between 1Mbps and 2.5Mbps.

The actual stable line speed supportable will be determined during the first 10 days of use. This speed may change over time, to ensure line stability is maintained.

If you decide to place an order, a further test will be performed to confirm if your line is suitable for the service you wish to purchase.

Thank you for your interest.

Please note that postcode and address check results are indicative only. Most accurate results can be obtained from a telephone number check.