Best Broadband/Phone bundle?

[smallholder]

Hi

I live in a small rural village (no cable). We have been with virgin for some time an their XL package. This costs £19pm plus £11 to BT.Band width is not great 2.5Mbps or so. What are the best deals at the moment and are there any providers that I should avoid?

[BUFF]

first off check which ISPs are local loop unbundled at your exchange.
Anybody reselling BT access basically will give you the same speed. This is probably what you have from VM although afaik they don't have an XL package off cable http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html.../noncable.html
I'm not a fan of moving your line rental from BT as it will only save you very little per month but can cause you problems if you decide that you then want to move to another provider.

Be/O2 provide good service & if you have an O2 mobile (even PAYG) then O2 will give you a £5 pm discount off broadband.

[PeteSmith]

Anybody reselling BT access basically will give you the same speed.

Not always the case, i moved from VM to ADSL24 and saw a dramatic increase in speed, from 3~4mbps to 7mbps. I recommend ADSL24 if your considering changing isp.

[Petem95]

I've heard of people haggling with Sky and Virgin Media regarding deals, so this could be worth a shot if purchasing over the phone!

[BUFF]

Not always the case, i moved from VM to ADSL24 and saw a dramatic increase in speed, from 3~4mbps to 7mbps. I recommend ADSL24 if your considering changing isp.

but were ADSL24 LLU?

[smallholder]

Unfortunately my exchange has no LLU just ADSL Max.

So which ISP's should I avoid? and is this due to to performance or customer service?

Many thanks

[PeteSmith]

but were ADSL24 LLU?

Nope, BT exchange as VM - difference being ADSL24 made sure i got the best speed possible on the line - i seem to recall BT coming out to work on the exchange at the same time.

Obviously avoid VM ADSL, and also Tiscali. I have no experience with other ISP's so can't comment any further.

[Singh400]

I think O2 is your best bet. You can get £5 off broadband cost, it would cost you something like £8ppm.

[4444405]

ADSL24 are changing their packages as from the end of March....i may be jumping ship myself soon as I do not want to be restricted on my monthly download allowance.

[suley]

o2 is the best in my view, they dont do landline but mobile and broadband is a bargain, saying u get unmetered broadband !