Broadband Internet & ISP Recommendations?

Actually its the Telephone Exchanges that I'm talking about. Where all of the local phone lines come together to tie into the main phone system. BE have their own ADSL equipment in the BT Exchanges, as do most ISPs. They just had better ADSL kit at one point, but the others have caught up with their investments. UPTO 24 Mbps is possible but most will only get around 12-16 due to bad internal house wiring and distance to the Exchange. I live 500m from my exchange and I only get around 18 Mbps due to bad wiring and the only reason I get 18 Mbps is I have my network guys tweak the conneciton in the Exchange for me to optimise it for me.

My ISP recently sent me something saying that it was now possible in many areas to get on a 'de-merged' (can't quite remember what word they used and can't seem to find the slip of paper) networks in many areas of the country, so that you don't have to be with BT at all, but I don't know if that also applies to evading the connection charge. From what Aroogah is saying, it sounds as if it doesn't.

Actually its the Telephone Exchanges that I'm talking about. Where all of the local phone lines come together to tie into the main phone system. BE have their own ADSL equipment in the BT Exchanges, as do most ISPs. They just had better ADSL kit at one point, but the others have caught up with their investments. UPTO 24 Mbps is possible but most will only get around 12-16 due to bad internal house wiring and distance to the Exchange. I live 500m from my exchange and I only get around 18 Mbps due to bad wiring and the only reason I get 18 Mbps is I have my network guys tweak the conneciton in the Exchange for me to optimise it for me.

Yeah, I just wasn't sure if they managed their own gear within the exchange. I figured they may as it is (I guess was) unique to the standard equipment others would just rent from BT.

You don't mean "un-bundled" do you? Basically it means that your ISP can sell you phone service as well as Internet services. You're just paying line rental and phone charges to someone else.

BT still gets a cut though.

Yes, that's what I mean. I might just go for that, actually.

I flippin' love this place sometimes! I come in here asking about totally non-bike-related shit and I still get sensible answers. Ace.

So these ISPs that offer un-bundled wotsits...do any of these offer line activation that's cheaper than BT? Or am I getting the wrong end of the stick? I think Tiscali offered us free activation at my last flat (which was newly renovated) as we took up a contract for phone and internet. They're not doing that anymore for whatever reason so just wondering if there was anyone out there that is doing that sort of offer.

Another vote for O2. Swapped from £25 per month BT to £9.95 a month O2, now have faster connection, better customer service and have saved £130 a year...

Does anyone have any recommendations for a broadband supplier? Just moved into a new place, no phone line at the moment - so setting up from scratch, as it were. Anybody want to shout anyone's praises? Who should I avoid? Any really good deals out there? Etc., etc.

Yes, I am doing my own research, but some personal recommendations would be a great help.

Ta.

BT phone line & O2 for me. O2 do a good price if you're a mobile customer.

As it happens I am, thanks.

zen. expensive but worth it for the lack of downtime or hassle and real people to talk to if you need any tech support.

avoid plusNet like the plague. biggest bunch of cuntz ever.

Have found Virgin very good for the past 2 years, but every user's experience is different.
PS I initially read the thread title as "Boyband Recommendations", WTF?

"Boyband Recommendations", WTF?

Tynan?

avoid plusNet like the plague. biggest bunch of cuntz ever.

Worse than TalkTalk?

Orange Broadband.

Avoid them, goes off every couple of weeks or so, no warning, can be off for a few hours, awful if you rely on it for work, you then call them on a premium rate phone line to see what the problem is and how long it will be out for, they make sure you pay through the nose for the phone call, the usual four hundred option menu to get through to some disinterested and probably underpaid farmhand who casually ignores you shouting "I know the pre-amble, please don't read it all out, this is costing me a fortune" and goes through a fivers worth of spiel before finally adding "how can I help you" - knowing full well there is zero chance they can help you if the answer to your problem is not in the FAQ.

"server's down" (think: 'computer says 'no') is the most you can hope for.

I often have had to burn loads of stuff to DVD and head off to the local internet café and mingle amongst the various terrorists searching for "ricin" and "infidel" and "Michael Jackson's Thriller" to send stuff off and check my email.

Tynan?

Yes dear ?

I've used O2 for a couple of years at a couple of addresses, and haven't had an issue with speed or reliability

Bulldog used to be great, line and broadband together. The weren't taking sign ups when I moved, so I went with BT line and BE broadband, which is also great and very fast.

Yes dear ?

I thought you might have a recommendation on this unrelated topic.

I thought you might have a recommendation on this unrelated topic.

I'd have to go with GARVIS.

bt!

I'd have to go with GARVIS.

That's quite a look!

+1 BE broadband (ADSL2) I think O2 now own BE (so even cheaper if an O2 customer)

That's quite a look!

GARVIS don't use Orange Broadband.