Best FTTC ISP/Package

[dave87]

Evening chaps,

With BeThere at the moment, and due to various contention issues, streaming content (iPlayer, radio shows etc) is becoming a headache. Additionally, I can now get FTTC!

So, what is the best package out there, and who is it with? I like the idea of Unlimited (my Be package is), Static IP is a bonus (got one now). Speed checker suggests I should be able to get 58mb or there abouts (though I've found it to be cautious in the past with ADSL/ADSL2+ speed estimates, so hopefully more).

I've seen BT Infinity Option 2, but anyone else worth recommending?


Ta,

[jackvdbuk]

it seems as though for money BT is the only way to go, i do believe they operate a slight FUP though but off peak you are free to DL as much as you like?

never TT, dont touch them

[Dark Knight]

I'm in the exact same position as you (same ISP and looking for fibre been with Be since they started up).

My research has found that BT infinity is the best option if you already have your phone line with them and don't want to move that around plus you don't mind P2P throttling (torrenting).

If you need a unlimited/unshaped connection go for Sky Fibre who offer 40/2 for £20 but you will need to change your phone line over to Sky Talk or they offer a 80/20 package for new customers for £30 which again is totally restriction free.

I've been researching this for a few weeks but still not made the jump.

[peterb]

Zen. 8 static IP addresses at no extra charge, similar prices to BT (who charge extra for static IP). My package costs £36/month, which gives up to 80/20 (I get 60/15). No upload limit, download 100Gb/month. There is a connection charge with a 12 month initisl contract. After 12 months it is one months notice to move.

[gersh]

I'm on infinity not upgraded to 80/20 yet though (have 40/10). It might be worth waiting if you are interested in BT Vision as well as they will probably release a infinity2 package with the new Vision HD box in the next few months, might be a costly upgrade otherwise

Gersh

[spoon_]

Zen. 8 static IP addresses at no extra charge, similar prices to BT (who charge extra for static IP). My package costs £36/month, which gives up to 80/20 (I get 60/15). No upload limit, download 100Gb/month. There is a connection charge with a 12 month initisl contract. After 12 months it is one months notice to move.

Great deal and I almost convinced myself to upgrade until I read the download limit...

[peterb]

Great deal and I almost convinced myself to upgrade until I read the download limit...

Additional download costs (iirc) £1/GB (which doesn't expire) However, since I rarely exceed 15GB/month it doesn't matter to me.

[Butcher]

Paying £17.50/mo (intro offer for first 12 months) for BT infinity, get 54/15, no caps. I don't torrent so traffic shaping doesn't bother me. No complaints so far.

[dave87]

BT phoned presumably as I'd stuck my telephone number in the speedchecker for infinity. They seem to think I should be able to get 59/10 at the distance I am (though I expect that to be relatively conservative as I peaked at 22mb on ADSL2+ that had to go twice the distance) from the cabinet.

18 month contract, 3 months half price, BT Openzone use thrown in. Oh free HomeHub (probably not used). £25/month he seemed to think for unlimited. That didn't seem bad, though am I missing anything?


Major problem now is that I don't have an ethernet socket next to the hall phone point (master socket) at the moment.....and it doesn't look like it'll be easy to install one.....

[Agent]

Not missing anything mate. BT are probably the best for FTTC currently. Truly unlimited and their estimates are very conservative.

Interestingly I was told about the same speed as you. When the Openworld guy arrived and ran the test, he said it was the highest result he'd ever seen, with the line having no issue with 100+meg (it maxed his reader out). The cabinet is seconds from my house, so I think they play it *really* safe with their figures.

[Butcher]

They estimated 60/20 for me, I'm getting 54/15. Not always conservative.

[dave87]

Well I've managed to get an ethernet cable to the master phone socket (that was fun....not) and I've given BeThere the 30 day notice they require.


So BT Infinity Option 2 it is, unless anyone has any reason for me to change my mind?

[Agent]

Go for it - they are awesome for Infinity based products.

[pp05]

I was looking into this. I might either go with plusnet who I am with or pay a bit extra and go Zen.

Just got to check if they throttle the connection in any particulars usage scenarios.

[iamlorro]

I'm with infinity - only a day and a bit though. no problems so far, but the modem runs quite hot...

[rm55]

I had FTTC put in this week. My shortlist for ISPs was:-

BT) Free install, unlimited usage, cheap. But torrents are slowed down, and I wouldn't trust their support quality
SKy) again unlimited and no traffic management, but they sadi my house can't get thier fibre (?)
ADLS24) Pay £19.90 a month for 40/2 (all I need). Completely unrestricted. 15GB a month but only between 8am-8pm weekdays. All other times are unlimted. And of course a better class of support and tech knowledge.

If you don't use the net much during the day on week days then I'd recommend ADSL24. Until the end of July they only charge £36 for install too - but they don't supply a router.