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Good Morning,
I am thinking of leaving Virgin Media, and going to Vodafone Broadband (mainly because of their offers). With Virgin Media I notice a lot of slowdowns on all devices (mobile and PC via Ethernet), and I have seen a number of posts about how bad VM can be.
So I am thinking of rejoining the Openreach network and going with Vodafone. They are fixed price for 18 months and at the moment no fee for FTTC connections (there is a £60 new line fee which is fine).
So what are everyone's thoughts on Vodafone Broadband? Are they worth moving to? Anyone else I should consider?
Thanks in advance.
CJT.
On Virgin Media Up to 50Mbps
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Now they allow you to use your own modem/router I would consider them. I believe their supplied router is garbage.
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Thank you BatBoy
Is this quite recent?
Any other good operator's? I am disinclined to use BT Retail, they seem very expensive.
CJT.
On Virgin Media Up to 50Mbps
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Register (or login) on our website and you will not see this ad.
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Thank you BatBoy
Is this quite recent?
Any other good operator's? I am disinclined to use BT Retail, they seem very expensive.
I would go for BT broadband, enough discounts available right now to make it cheaper than Vodafone.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-broad...
Offers end tomorrow. Possibly cheapest fibre deal in the UK considering £120 + £40 giftcards.
Edited by ukhardy07 (Wed 01-Nov-17 15:57:48)
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I ended up taking Now TV Broadband,
No contract and a decent offer
CJT.
On Virgin Media Up to 50Mbps
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Nice one. I was going to suggest that
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The wireless router leaves a lot to be desired, single band 2.4ghz. For decent wireless consider swapping it out for a dual band device.
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I presume it's a standard SKY router re-branded to NOW TV?
If so it's getting swapped once it's all set up.. to a £30 dual banded router I previously used, which has guess specific access as well 
Not bad for £30 router
CJT.
On Virgin Media Up to 50Mbps
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Amazing - what model you got?
Yes it's a SR102 with nowtv slapped on it.
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Amazing - what model you got?
Yes it's a SR102 with nowtv slapped on it.
Good Question, I will dig it out tomorrow and tell you...
Seems I missed a signed for delivery today, have to wait till Monday to pick it up....
Go Live Date Wednesday!
CJT.
On Virgin Media Up to 50Mbps
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I ended up taking Now TV Broadband,
No contract and a decent offer
I did last year and I was grateful of the no contract option. It was total garbage. Sky's network is bad enough round here but NowTV customers get a lower priority that SKy's own so I was migrated way within 3 weeks.
Oddly enough to a BT based provider and i've had no problems since.
I still have the POS router cube with NowTV in green on it - Can't send it back for love nor money (they won't take it) so it's going to landfill.
Edit - and before I get the "back it up with links" guff, read the T and C's for yourself
Edited by deleted (Sun 05-Nov-17 09:50:54)
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If you don't supply links there's nothing to discuss, it just gets ignored.
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Early in the last F1 season I started buying a NowTV 1-day Sports Pass on the Sundays it wasn't on Channel 4. It was perfect.
This season, the last three times it has buffered enough the first two times to make me close it and go to Radio 5 or 5 Extra. The last one was just usable, improving as time progressed. I think others must have been turning it off.
I always have the F1 live timer running on my tablet anyway, but it would be better if the NowTV stream just cut out and re-started for this purpose. The TV being minutes, sometimes more than a complete lap, behind the timer made it silly.
There is certainly no way I would migrate my broadband to them.
My broadband basic info/help site - www.robertos.me.uk. Domains, site and mail hosting - Tsohost.
Connection - AAISP Home::1 80/20. 200GB. Sync 73724/12601Kbps @ 600m. BQMs - IPv4 & IPv6 |
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Early in the last F1 season I started buying a NowTV 1-day Sports Pass on the Sundays it wasn't on Channel 4. It was perfect.
This season, the last three times it has buffered enough the first two times to make me close it and go to Radio 5 or 5 Extra. The last one was just usable, improving as time progressed. I think others must have been turning it off.
I have found that NowTV works better when using the Windows 10 app on a computer. When I've tried using it on my LG TV using the built in app it buffers, the same happens with the dedicated NowTV box.
So now I just use the Windows app and all is fine, no buffering at all and is super fast at loading
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The trouble is I did download the app, which they almost force you to do now, for the USA GP. But that had two problems. It simply jerked, rather than smooth then buffering, but even after the jerk it continued where it left off. Quite apart from being a minute or so anyway behind compared to the normal NowTV feed to my browser. (I don't have a NowTV box).
Which again, when using the live F1 app Live Timing as the sector times and inter-car gaps I find very informative, makes the TV and its commentary pointless.
Either Radio 5 or 5 Extra, or the commentary on the F1 app which is in fact the same one, ends up being used.
It almost certainly isn't a problem with AAISP, and I'm on over 70Mbps sync/IP Profile.
My broadband basic info/help site - www.robertos.me.uk. Domains, site and mail hosting - Tsohost.
Connection - AAISP Home::1 80/20. 200GB. Sync 73724/12601Kbps @ 600m. BQMs - IPv4 & IPv6 |
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If you don't supply links there's nothing to discuss, it just gets ignored.
Let them find the hard way then. Like I did. If they want to be lazy and not look. Caveat emptor
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I had Vodafone broadband for a while before using Virgin as they just came to my area.
Their broadband - I highly rate it. I noticed that the internet was not filtered - this was about 6-8 months ago. The speeds were consistently high and I did not experience any slow downs or disconnections. My connection was supposed to be 68-80mb and I think the actual sync speed was around 70-75 and these speeds were consistent.
Their router - this is where I had the issues. The router is very high speed, it doesn't crash or need rebooting and the mobile app is fairly useful. There is just a small issue which Vodafone never admitted but I had about 5 routers from them all exhibiting the same issue. If you connect a very high volume of devices to the 2.4GHz network (5GHz is unaffected) the chip overheats and the router puts it into a limp mode (apparently) which causes extremely poor connections over 2.4GHz and for some reason this also affects the ethernet ports. A further issue is that devices connected over WiFi can sometimes not see Ethernet devices (so if you're streaming from a wired NAS, casting something to your TV which is wired etc it can run into problems).
If you are not a household with a large volume of devices connected to 2.4GHz (we had about 25 total devices, maybe around 10 on 2.4GHz, busy house) I doubt you'll experience any of these issues.
If you're a high volume user I'd probably opt for using a different brand of VDSL router, Vodafone are reluctant to give out the password to connect but apparently persistence and explaining it's an Openreach approved router will get you them.
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If you're a high volume user I'd probably opt for using a different brand of VDSL router, Vodafone are reluctant to give out the password to connect but apparently persistence and explaining it's an Openreach approved router will get you them. These days Vodafone will provide the userid and password if asked without hassle so long as you say you will use an approved modem/router.
Interesting explanation of the Wifi device problem.
Michael Chare
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It was such a pain because I loved the service - it was just the router that proved a problem which at the time they weren't providing passwords/usernames so I had to switch away. We moved to BT which was even better. They might be more expensive but I found you get what you pay for with them. With the cash back/voucher offers I think we ended up paying less but BT are actually very good.
I'm with Virgin now and had major issues with the Hub 3, eventually managed to get through to a lovely guy at Virgin who sent a Hub 2ac which resolved everything but from what I've seen what your local area is like matters a lot with Virgin, luckily in my area Virgin performs Wonderfully.
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I've recently become a Vodafone customer at a small exchange where Plusnet charge more. As problems with the Vodafone router wifi are well known, I bought a 2nd hand Zyxel VMG8924-B10A router on ebay which does Wifi ac and has a slightly better range that the Vodafone one. I generally have less than half a dozen Wifi devices, so quite likely the Vodafone would work OK. I am close enough to the cabinet to get a connection speed of 40 Mbps. I am waiting for my prepaid card to arrive. I was told it would take a couple of months.
Michael Chare
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Odd that seems contrary to both Sky (Now TV's parent) and NOW TV's suggestions: https://help.nowtv.com/contact-us/can-i-return-my-ol...
CJT.
On Virgin Media Up to 50Mbps
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Replying to my own post...
Haven't moved to Vodafone, but have to NOW TV...
Collecting their equipment shortly (from local sorting office) and install is Wed PM...
Still need to find my old Router in order to replace the provided one once the "10 day's" have passed..
CJT.
On Virgin Media Up to 50Mbps
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"Caveat emptor"
Not strictly true. If you've asked a question and the answer is false and you've purchased with regard the answer then there is a get out.
Was Eclipse Home Option 1, VM 2Mb & O2 Standard
Now Utility Warehouse (up to 16mbps) via Talk Talk
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Amazing - what model you got?
Yes it's a SR102 with nowtv slapped on it.
TP-Link TD-W8968. Previously used with small provider, who didn't provide a Router.
CJT.
Currently....
On Virgin Media Up to 50Mbps
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Monthly contract?
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Yes with Now TV.
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
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Yes with Now TV.
Good thing as you will need it
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What do you mean ?
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
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That poster does not like NOWTV so is saying you will need the monthly contract, as they expect you will be wanting to migrate away.
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The author of the above post is a thinkbroadband staff member. It may not constitute an official statement on behalf of thinkbroadband.
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I had no problems with them and I was an early adopter of their monthly FTTC product ...
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That poster does not like NOWTV so is saying you will need the monthly contract, as they expect you will be wanting to migrate away.
Thanks MrS. I did wonder
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
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I had no problems with them and I was an early adopter of their monthly FTTC product ...
Apart from their not so great router, it seems fine to me..
I am looking at removing the call plan from the phone and using VoIP more (As well as my mobile) so that will cut out some cost.
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
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I use NowTV as a streaming service but am on Plusnet for my FTTC. I recently noted that they were offering broadband whilst sorting a deal on their website assuming it's all part of the Sky broadband machinery.
However I did note in relation to traffic prioritisation, whwer it suggests that there is non on the upto 17Mbps ADSL service. This made me think then was the opposite the case for their Fibre Offerings?
On this page, the foot note says the follwing:- http://www.nowtv.com/existing-bb
Unlimited Broadband: No usage limits. No peak time traffic management. External factors such as internet congestion and home wiring may affect speed
There are apparently 3 Products, "Briiliant Broadband", "Fab, Fibre & "Super Fibre".
Looking agauin at the footnote on the same page:-
No traffic management policy for Brilliant Broadband. External Factors such as internet congestion and home wiring can affect speed
So is the "Briiliant Broadband" different or is there a mistake in the footnote, or have I read it wrong?
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I have to be honest and say that I don't know.
I don't seem to notice anything major with regards to their FTTC service, apart from the router being dodgy at best..
In all honesty I wanted to move back onto the Openreach system (so that my address appears in the BTWholesale address checker - here) so that I could eventually move to another BTw based provider and get away from being reliant on Virgin Media and their services. I would rather pay an amount for the next X number of years, than have to take a "special offer" and re-negotiate each year...
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
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Typical
Just checked Vodafone and I can get:
up to 76 Mbps FTTC inc line rental for £30 plus £8.00 for unlimited anytime calls.
I pay £39.99 and I get up to 38 Mbps inc line rental and calls.
I think it maybe worth switching to them...
Did someone say you can use your own router? If so can you use a TP Link TD-W8968?
Thanks in advance!
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
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To use you own router you need to ask Vodafone for your connection userid and password.
Vodafone will answer this question if you say that you will use one of the routers on the BT MCT List.
What you actually do may depend on what you can get to work.
Michael Chare
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Isn't that an ADSL modem?
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According to it's specs an ADSL 2+ Modem/Router, but it connected at near 80 Mbps previously on Aquiss.
So I have no idea how that occurred.
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
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How up to date is that list?
Just out of curiosity
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
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It says Jul 2017
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Yes that would be the one
BUT..... I did use the supplied ECI Openreach Modem (as I was told to do so by the ISP)
So now I am thinking it's ADSL only... 
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
Edited by CJT (Tue 12-Dec-17 20:57:21)
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BUT..... I did use the supplied ECI Openreach Modem (as I was told to do so by the ISP) That would explain it
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Where as this does both!
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
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I am moving from Vodafone to Virgin Media due to major congestion issues on their network. It was fine for about a year now bam between 6pm to 12pm connection goes from 70Mbps to under 10Mbps i was told the cab to exchange needs a new fibre because of capacity issues, and it will take weeks so i demanded to end my contract without fees which they agree to.
If VM is also bad i just jump to someone else refuse to accept poor BB in 2017
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If was the fibre between the cab and exchange that would impact on all customers on that cab, so talk with neighbours if their providers are good when yours is bad suggests its more likely to be in the Vodafone backhaul area
Providers are well versed in making any congestion appear to not be in their domain and thus always waiting on others to fix it.
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The author of the above post is a thinkbroadband staff member. It may not constitute an official statement on behalf of thinkbroadband.
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I will actually check with my neighbours to see if anyone else is having issues, I went with VM for now as I can test for 14 days then cancel and switch back to FTTC which I hope will be fixed by then.
Yesterday I was getting 5-6 Meg, I am still skeptial about VM as checking their forums customers are having so many speed issues so at this point it seems am jumping from the frying into the fire. Granted you will always get the complaints and not the praises on forums.
So at this point i probable have a better chance of winning the lottery
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VM is really area dependant, and issues are very localised e.g. to half a street. The way the network is setup, if you have a few heavy downloads in one area it'll slowdown for the users in that area, but the next street might be entirely different.
I left VM once in the cooling off - really easy! They refunded me and didn't even charge for the days of usage. This was when BT offered me a cracking deal on my switchover date lol.
Edited by ukhardy07 (Wed 13-Dec-17 14:37:58)
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I left Virgin because in my opinion they are over priced and unreliable.
At least with the OpenReach network (or BTWholesale) you have a choice of providers who you can move to. another provider if your service from them is poor (congestion, customer service etc).
With Virgin it's them and them only for cable for most of the UK.
Their customer service is patchy at best, and awful most of the time. I rang them on 3 or 4 occasions to explain that one of the exterior junction boxes of theirs has no cover and is exposed to the elements, I may as well have spoken a foreign language, they had no idea and no interest.
I have looked at Uno but I have been advised that "as yet" they are unable to transfer my service to them as I am on Now TV (Sky), but it's in progress for them to be able to... so I may move to them.
(changed one word to avoid the censor)
CJT.
On NOW TV Broadband up to 38 Mbps
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Well at the moment I am lucky enough to have access to VM and the full OR network so I have a lot of providers to choose from. As i had this same congestion issue with Sky and Vodafone on the same exchange around the same time of the year November/December I want to give VM a try, if they cant provide me with the speed just like I did with Sky and Vodafone, I will leave in contract without any early termination fees.
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