In reply to a post by techguy:

Last year I wanted to see if I could get anymore speed from my line which still had an extension style socket on it from when it was converted from an extension as the BT bloke that came in 2004 to connect the new line couldn't be bothered to fit an NTE.

I'd moved the line to Zen's tlephone package to make any problem resolution easier but was fully prepared to have to pay for the socket change as it would obviously require a visit from Openreach (OR),

I had originally broached the situation on this forum and had received some help.

To my surpirse the tech support guy said that he would be specifially requesting a broadband engineer from OR so that I wouldn't be charged.

The guy came, was very pleasant, changed the socket and thoroughly tested the line, later in the day the fault tracker showed the person I'd been communicating with via TBB had checked the line and reset the profile to take advantage of the increased sync, I suspect with a good proportion of other ISPs I might have had to ring and request that.

I remember that fault - glad I was able to help.

You certainly did Paul.

Post deleted by techguy

In reply to a post by therioman:

Or perhaps to put it another way:

If you want a service that is just as reliable as the one Zen offers using BT Backhaul, but don't want to have to micro manage your usage, be prevented from taking advantage of new services such as Netflix and other perfectly legitimate and reasonable uses of broadband...

...you'd be mad to choose Zen.

There are plenty of providers now who offer just as reliable a service as Zen, but also manage to offer:

* Better/more generous/less restrictive usage
* More available support (up to and including 24/7/365) - some issues can be 24/7!
* Lower monthly cost for service

And sometimes even:

* Inclusive Modems/Router if you want it
(which doesn't always tie you into a long contract either)

...so as much as I like Zen, there are many providers who can outshine them on every aspect. Reliability, Service, Support and Price...

It depends on what you want. Having had the "pleasure" of Plusnets traffic management increasing gaming pings at random from 20ms to 180ms for servers in the UK. Their solution was for me to do a wireshark scan of the traffic for each server that did this and EMail it to them. Not a good service for me. This was not the only problem which was odd considering my package was not supposed to be managed.

Its best I don't talk about Talk Talks "high quality" customer service who never lie to you and always solve your problems on the first call ahem.

In the whole time I have been with Zen there were only two faults one just needed a router reboot and the other was a general fault due to BT work. We use iplayer (HD) and love film which both work normally. Everything just works at full speed for me on a 3.5Mb connection just like turning on a water tap.

This is what I pay for and their long history of providing a quality service. If I was a massive downloader I would have to look elsewhere but 50GB a month is more than enough for us but as you say not for everyone.

Um, sorry I don't recall saying "ANY" alternative provider would be OK.

I don't rate Plusnet at all. I do have one connection with them (like most providers) and the shaping thing is very interesting as it's very agressive compared to most other providers out there - as you say it is also hopeless with things I would consider to be routine.

Like Plusnet, I also don't rate TalkTalk and have recommended them precisely NEVER.

However, if you want a quality service, have to use BT 21CN based links (not that there is much wrong with that in most cases) and want a better balance on cost vs allowances, there are providers out there.

Like anything there will be exceptions to the rule, there will be providers who charge more than Zen and offer an equally good service but may even offer lower limits (I know of some), and equally there are plenty in the more for less bracket.

I do think Zen no longer has sufficient advantage to be classed as a premium provider, and things like lack of 24/7 support and a lack of flexibility on billing is an issue (for example, it'd be great if I could just say "don't cut me off, just bill me more") and so on - lots of little "extras" that justify a premium provider.

As I said when I originally posted in my view Zen are superb for speed, reliability and support. With todays announcement of a doubling of download allowances for the same charge they have resolved the value for money issue from my point of view.
I appreciate there are many good ISPs in the marketplace and if other Posters prefer them I have no issue with that whatsoever but for me Zen is now just perfect.

Agreed.

I was with zen when it first started, left about 6 years ago, they are not value for money anymore.

Even the lesser ISPs are better value.

you now have better value for money...

http://www.zen.co.uk/latest-news/zen-internet-are-do...

In reply to a post by Ripley:

you now have better value for money...

http://www.zen.co.uk/latest-news/zen-internet-are-do...

That link is from 2010.

This is the link applying to 1st April 2012 :-

http://www.zen.co.uk/latest-news.aspx?page=11367