Sky, BT or Other?

Ok so i'm currently with Entanet (via UKFSN) and to be honest UKFSN support is dire (I mean it doesn't exist - even when you PM via this forum) so I'm leaving for pastures new.

I'm looking between either:
Sky Broadband Connect for �17 per month

or

4BT Connect Unlimited option (on 12 month contract) - �24.86 per month

or

Other - offer suggestions comparable to the above services.

Now it would normally be a no brainer as I'd usually go for the cheapest but here is the snag.

1) I used to get approx 600kb d/l speeds at it's highest level but that last about 3-4 months and since then get no more than 200kb. If I were to go with BT at least I could nag them to come out and sort the line as it's all with them. I have tried the BT speed tester thing but for some reason it wont allow me to log in. And to be fair my technical knowledge is limited. At least BT offer a home setup too with their broadband package AND offer openzone minutes.

2) I have no idea when my exchange will be unbundled, I wouldn't like to sign up to a 12 month contract if my exchange will be unbundled by March and I can start using cheaper services at the same speeds (or better) through the likes of sky, be there etc.

3) Ideally I'd like a service that provides Dynamic IP ranges rather than fixed, this used to be the majority of services but now it seems no one does them unless you go with AOL and use their proxy servers. Do either Sky or BT offer dynamic IPs?

4) My useage per month ranges between 4gb and 12gb (max) depending on what I d/l and I have started using itunes quite a bit more which is why sometimes I'm getting higher d/l some months.

Thanks in advance of your help

According to Sam Knows: http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/SLWS
The only LLU operator at my exhcnage in talk talk. I have checked their site and they say they could offer me up to 4.5 meg with their service. Would that mean I'd have my phone like taken over by TalkTalk? New telephone number etc?

Are they any good?

I'd stick with Entanet, the ISPs you are thinking of are not renowned for their helpfulness. Perhaps if you detailed your line problems and posted your router stats you'd get some practical help? See http://www.dslzoneuk.net/adsl_line_stats.php

Newnet Home M says it is dynamic IP, but it may be sticky. The allowance is the total of down and up. You can pre-buy chunks in the months you go over the allowance (you can pre-buy even after you go over as long as you do it before the end of the month, and you can set an over-usage limit yourself as well). Note the monthly contract price is �17.56pm, not the �16.59 which is annual/12.

I think I need a different Entanet provider in that case. One who can offer the services I require.
What specifically are the problems (if any) with BT and Sky?

You suggest you have a line problem (the download speed decrease from approximately 600 kbps to 200 kbps). That line problem will migrate with you to your next ISP. Entanet have a better reputation for sorting problems than BT or Sky.

It would be nice to know the nature of the line problem which Entanet have failed to address in 3-4 months.

As John asked for earlier, your line stats could help us think about why you aren't getting the speed you expect, and also the full results from a BT Speed Test.

WRT to BT and Sky I haven't any recent experience (BT around the start of the decade on a 512k service and moving to Prodigynet who were a good ISP at that time was a revelation wrt customer service). But these comparisons may help.

It would also be a good idea to browse the forums of both on this site. Bear in mind that Sky Connect at one time was nowhere near as good as the LLU service, I haven't looked recently.

Re ukfsn, I think someone else may have put in to migrate from them to another Entanet reseller (ADSL24) today, because they are unhappy with the support at ukfsn.

Edited by RobertoS (Mon 29-Dec-08 18:16:36)

3) BT Broadband is dynamic IP.

might be an idea to fully read their website(has the answers to your question/s)

I'm in the same situation as you with regards to only having talktalk llu at my exchange), I'm not wanting to risk moving to them after reading horror stories about their cs(or lack there of) + my experience with them couple of years back trying to cancle after they'd miss sold to my parents(cpw guy told my parents that the broadband was free when infact we'd have to pay �10/month as it wasn't available in our area at the time).

what are the usage requirements?

aaisp might be a good bet. They are the only isp I have had who really do pressure BT on line faults.