Transferring from Be* > O2

[cptwhite_uk]

I believe they use the same network (can someone confirm that). Assuming this is true is it still possible I could see a speed difference between accounts, assuming the accounts were the same type (say ADSL max for example).

I've not had any problem with Be, I initially signed up to their 8Mb package and got about 3.5Mb, hoping for a speed improvement I tried out the 24Mb line when it was made available for £18/m but didn't see any speed improvement. In fact since their supplied router's (Thomson 780) firmware was incapable of opening ports properly I was using a Netgear DG834GT. Unfortunately this caused the connection to drop...a lot (44 times in a 24 hour period last time I phoned tech support). The guy was very helpful and dropped the signal strength to 9db (i believe that's what he said) and touch wood, it seems to have done the trick and stabilised the line albeit at a lower speed (currently getting about 2.5Mb).

Now here the main point (I'm getting to it - stay with me!) I've just set-up an O2 contract mobile so qualify for their reduced BB packages. Ignoring the 3 month free offer for the premium package, would it likely improve my download speed over the value package

Value = 8Mb / 1.3Mb (retains the nice upload speed)
Premium = 20Mb / 1.3Mb

Cost for the first year works out the same due to the Premium currently having the first three months free, but if it's unlikely to help the speed at all (which I suspect) then I might as well just sign up for the Value option and not worry about having to remember to downgrade in 12 months time. Anyone any thoughts on this?

By the way the switch is going to save me in the region of £7-9.50 per month. I am however going to give Be a chance to lower my monthly payment to try and retain me

[Sputnik]

Be is a subsidiary of O2. I'm sure you can ask Be about transferring to an O2 service if you wish. Try asking on the Be forums. They are very responsive.

[arthurleung]

You may need to give a 3 month notice before you transfer to O2

The 780 firmware is buggy as hell. It keep throwing my NAT ports to other machines and its an arse to change it back. Try disable uPnP and see if it helps with NAT.

[Bugbait]

You may need to give a 3 month notice before you transfer to O2

I moved from Be to O2 as well. I was told the above from one of the Be operators but can attest that it's absolutely untrue. Since Be is owned by O2 you can move to O2 from Be with zero notice period. Of course it may take a week or so for them to make the change (just in the billing - no physical changes) but a notice period is not required.

The speed on O2 will be no different to Be as it's the same hardware and infrastructure. In fact, O2 probably won't offer you more than the 8Mb package. My exchange was only rated for 16 and they wouldn't sell me anything more even if I wanted it.

[Mousemat]

You can switch to O2 with no notice or penalties since the infrastructure is shared. However, you'll need a second email address and a different username when you sign up on the O2 website. The system will recognise you as an existing member because of your Be* account but they can't just switch that account over to O2's side of the system. Be* may offer you a discount when you tell them you want to switch over.

I posted a related thread a while back http://forums.hexus.net/networking-b...customers.html

[cptwhite_uk]

Just to keep you posted I called their cancellation line on 0808 1013425 (yes that's a 5 on the end, it's not a typo). Given I'm only receiving 2.5-3Mb speed anyway I've downgraded from Be Unlimited (24Mb/1.3Mb @ £17.50/m) to Be Value (8Mb/1.3Mb @ 13.50/m) and they've given me a discount to £10.23/m. I've fulfilled my contract so I'm not tried in at this price. I could get it £3 cheaper with 02, but really £3 is neither here nor there and I'd prefer not to be tried into a 12 month contract all over again.

If you've fulfilled youe contract with Be* you can call the number above, explain you're considering a switch to 02 and they will offer you a retainer price of £12.50 for the Be Unlimited package, or £10.23 for the Be Value package.

Still not as cheap as 02, but they're a decent provider and those are good prices for the service they offer I have no problem paying that amount for a good service!

[Sputnik]

If you've fulfilled youe contract with Be* you can call the number above, explain you're considering a switch to 02 and they will offer you a retainer price of £12.50 for the Be Unlimited package, or £10.23 for the Be Value package.

I didn't think there was a contract with Be unlimited's 24Mb package, Just 3 months notice if you wish to leave?

EDIT: Just noticed they have a new package scheme. the non-contract package is now £20 a month.

[RyanP13]

I just moved flat and cancelled my old Be Unlimited service @ £17.50/month with 3 moth cancellation.

They put me on the new package @ £20/month (managed not to pay the connection fee) when i found out i could actually get Be in my new place.

Raised a complaint ticket regarding the pricing in the afternoon and someone phoned me in the evening and reduced my price to £17.50/month.

I only get 6meg dload though compared to 10 in my old flat.

Dissapointing but i stay with Be as there is no fair usage policy, traffic shaping etc.

[cptwhite_uk]

Sputnik I originally joined on Be Value when it was about £15 a month for ADSL Max - that's going to about July '07 though. This is a 12 month contract, hence my comment.

[Sputnik]

Sputnik I originally joined on Be Value when it was about £15 a month for ADSL Max - that's going to about July '07 though. This is a 12 month contract, hence my comment.

Seems they do both now, depending on if your willing to pay a connection charge or not. I joined Be in December without a fixed contract. I just have to give them 3 months notice if I wish to leave.

The only thing that bugs me is I didn't join Be earlier, Could have saved a fortune over the cost of the same (actual) speeds from VM.

[MrChimpy]

I believe they use the same network (can someone confirm that). Assuming this is true is it still possible I could see a speed difference between accounts, assuming the accounts were the same type (say ADSL max for example).

I've not had any problem with Be, I initially signed up to their 8Mb package and got about 3.5Mb, hoping for a speed improvement I tried out the 24Mb line when it was made available for £18/m but didn't see any speed improvement. In fact since their supplied router's (Thomson 780) firmware was incapable of opening ports properly I was using a Netgear DG834GT. Unfortunately this caused the connection to drop...a lot (44 times in a 24 hour period last time I phoned tech support). The guy was very helpful and dropped the signal strength to 9db (i believe that's what he said) and touch wood, it seems to have done the trick and stabilised the line albeit at a lower speed (currently getting about 2.5Mb).

Now here the main point (I'm getting to it - stay with me!) I've just set-up an O2 contract mobile so qualify for their reduced BB packages. Ignoring the 3 month free offer for the premium package, would it likely improve my download speed over the value package

Value = 8Mb / 1.3Mb (retains the nice upload speed)
Premium = 20Mb / 1.3Mb

Cost for the first year works out the same due to the Premium currently having the first three months free, but if it's unlikely to help the speed at all (which I suspect) then I might as well just sign up for the Value option and not worry about having to remember to downgrade in 12 months time. Anyone any thoughts on this?

By the way the switch is going to save me in the region of £7-9.50 per month. I am however going to give Be a chance to lower my monthly payment to try and retain me

I've just done this - I rang them up, asked if I could get O2 discounted rates since I have O2 phone without moving away from Be. They said fine and sorted it that day. I actually got an upgrade and a slight price reduction

Whole process was zero hassle.