Which ISP to move to?

Currently with John Lewis Broadband which has now doubled in price because I've come to the end of the minimum term so I need find a new ISP.

I can only get FTTC and FTTP is not planned from openreach.

I received a letter back in January from Community Fibre saying they were 'coming soon' but now its November and entering my address on their website still states the same thing I've tried to contact them to understand when but haven't got a response.

Requirements:
- 50 Mbps speed as line normally gets around 55 Mbps
- Evening and weekend calls bundle on the landline
- Support for own router
- Ideally 12 month (or 1 month) contract but would consider 18 months at a stretch (don't want to tie up for too long - hoping that CF becomes available soon)

Any suggestions who to go with? On the comparison websites it appears that NOW broadband is the only option that provides a 12 month contract now. I guess I could go with Plusnet/Shell on an 18 month contract but the likes of BT want a 24 month contact.

It would help if you tell us how much you were paying and the new JL price.

For instance you've just missed the Sky £23 offer, though I don't know what the minimum term was for that. Now £28 for 18 months.

It was £24 pm including the E&W calls, gone up to £52 pm now.

Do Sky support all own routers now?

John Lewis Broadband is closing down, it is actually supplied by Plusnet so you have the option of moving to them. Have you not been informed of this closure?

You should be able to get a similar price to your old JL service.

In reply to a post by ss_4:

Do Sky support all own routers now?

No idea sorry.

In reply to a post by Realalemadrid:

John Lewis Broadband is closing down, it is actually supplied by Plusnet so you have the option of moving to them. Have you not been informed of this closure?

You should be able to get a similar price to your old JL service.

Yes I'm aware its run by plusnet, and was informed by them.

It's not really the price that's the issue - I know I can switch to get a much lower new customer price - its the contract length. Is there anyway to find out if when (if?) community fibre plan to go live? I don't want to commit to 18/24 months if its soon but the out of contract prices are so expensive.

There is always the well-regarded on these forums pulse8broadband. Monthly rolling contract so not held in at all really.

I nearly suggested it earlier, which is why I asked about the price area you were in.

If over 50Mbps isn't essential you could even go for the cheapest one.

It runs on TalkTalk Business Wholesale, which is a totally different kettle of fish from the TT Retail service.

Comparison sites like comparethemarket or MoneySuperMarket let you specify a contract length as one of the filters so you can search the market for 1-month rolling contracts or 12-month fixed term. MoneySuperMarket tells me that Now are offering a Cyber Monday deal of £20 per month plus £65 set up broadband only on a 1-month rolling contract.

Once you've sussed out likely suppliers, worthwhile ringing them to try and get a broadband and phone package.

In reply to a post by pluralist:

There is always the well-regarded on these forums pulse8broadband. Monthly rolling contract so not held in at all really.

A good suggestion - OP may have to get a replacement modem/router though, which he might only need for a few months?

From their FAQs:

Can I use my existing router / modem with your service?

You can use any router with our service as long as it is NOT locked down to a specific service provider. As a rule routers from Sky, BT & PlusNet are not compatible as they are locked down, so please contact us if you are un-sure and we'll check for you.

OP:

Requirements:
- 50 Mbps speed as line normally gets around 55 Mbps
- Evening and weekend calls bundle on the landline
- Support for own router
....

OP needs to check out the call charges though. They used to be very low within the UK. I used them for my landline for a few years until I ditched it completely, and a friend still does. (He doesn't have broadband except on his mobile).