Another broadband question . . .

[dunwerkin]

I live in a country location and pay �40.00 per month for Broadband and phone line. ( �18.99 broadband & �21.00 for Option 3). I accept that because of the distance from my house to the exchange, and the relatively small number of houses, that I am not going to get the best possible speed, but is �40.00 p.m. to BT for a sub-standard service (speed) a tad O.T.T.?

[buildersmate]

The speed limitation is driven by the distance from the exchange - not BT's fault. You can get a cheaper broadband package than �19 pm by switching supplier. Maybe pay �12-�14 from others.

[dunwerkin]

Thanks Buildersmate - that's the second time that you have helped me out. V. grateful.

[splat!]

If you already have a Sky TV subscription you can get v. good deals on their broadband service too...

[gallapunk]

Orange are offering a good deal on landline rental and broadband internet together if you can get it. I doubt they're the only provider, but just speaking from experience, I've not had any problems with th service so far, but I only switched last month. I've heard bad things about TalkTalk though, from several people.

[dunwerkin]

Thank you Splat and Gallapunk for your suggestions. I did an ASDL guide search and was able to compare all the providers. AOL and TalkTalk are the worst, but suprisingly, ZEN came out tops. However, a single phone call to BT sorted out my query and I am now paying �5.00 per month less (I had already agreed to a lower Broadband charge at contract renewal time but hadn't changed my direct debit !!)

[gallapunk]

"AOL are THE worst"! My partner will be soooooo pleased to hear that; he calls AOL the spawn of th devil; has never wanted anything to do with them whatsoever (he fixes other people's computers). But when he's been on AOL (when he's been to their homes where they're using them as their ISP and as their homepage too), he says you can definitely see why. They want complete control: 'Use me to do everything for you, master/mistress and I will obey. You need no other service' Yes, but at what cost? It is do laborious and gives you loads of crap you really don't want. Well maybe people can find SOMETHING they want on the homepage, but can anyone honestly say they have EVERYTHING they want on the homepage? Anyway, that's a little diversification, sorry.

[Ice.Maiden]

For less than �20 a month, Tiscali provide a broadband service that includes line rental, free landline calls to all 01 and 02 numbers (anytime) - plus free phone calls to several countries abroad. If you're not too bothered about speed, then this might be worth looking into.

[dunwerkin]

Glad to have been of service Gallapunk! Thank you Ice Maiden - I will check out Tiscali and see what they have to say about my area.

BTW I have received an e.mail this morning from relations in South Africa warning me of an Australian Police warning (we are an extended family !). Don't open any unsoliticed e.mail announcing the death or capture of Osama Bin Laden - its a virus (allegedly). Don't shoot the messenger - I am passing it on in the least invasive way I know. !