Talk Talk ADSL2+

[Behemoth]

TT are aware that there has been some trouble with their network when it first started rolling out LLU but they pretty much have the systems set now. Doubt their sales team will tell you other wise - typical sales staff

Thats pretty much standard the world over with sales people anywhere.

[TooNice]

That'd be a no then!

Let's put it this way. My our landlord forced TT into our flat a year ago so I readily have access to it. It was basically unusable for two months (not helped by the fact that our landlord thought that 0.38Mbit was 'acceptable' and couldn't be bothered to chase up).

Currently, the line sync at 20Mbit, but the speed varies between 4-6.5Mbit (then again, perhaps that's the package the landlord picked). But even then, the connection drop far too often.

It became so unbearable I decided to shell for my own connection with O2. Result? About 16Mbit, and slight ping improvement on top. And I would happily take a good 7Mbit over a 12+Mbit line that's unstable. Now to be fair, I am sure that TT work fine for some. My history with them preceded this and put me off (long story short, it took a lot of hassle to cancel and get a refund).

[Tonka777]

Right, they called me back, so i asked some 'testing' questions to try and verify the usefulness off TalkTalk and their employees.

First thing i told them was that everywhere on the internet says their customer service is terrible. The chap who rang actually admitted that they had problems, but blamed this on their networks getting saturated when they were offering free broadband. Apparently they went on watchdog and gave a an apology. The strange thing is that he then went on to say that TT have just been voted best for customer service! When i asked what group or panel instigated this survey and published the results, the line went dead for a few seconds!

I then asked about traffic shaping and the use of P2P software. He confirmed that P"P was not allowed on the basic package, and then told me that there was no traffic shaping or bandwidth management on the pro package.

The last little test i asked him, was what speeds could i expect on an 8mb, and 20mb connection.
I was told 17.3mb on the 20mb service, and 15.3mb on the 8mb service! I asked him to verify that TT would somehow be able to squeeze double the usual bandwidth down an 8mb line, and he confirmed that he was talking an absolute load of poo!

I have been speaking to some Be people this morning, and i think I might ring them on a few different numbers and tell them i want be and hope that they roll out in my area soon. I really don't want to risk getting caught out with TT and being locked in an 18 month contract

Good things come to those who wait, so i am told....

[wilsonian]

Well let us know how it gets on.

I know TT put all their customers at 24mb QOS profile but if the line starts becoming unstable it'll start slowing it down until it sees a clear connection. Some times useful but can be a bugger once u get the line repaired and want to increase the speed.

[Tonka777]

That I will do mate. Thanks for the info and advice you have given.

[Tonka777]

Me again.

Talk Talk just called me again, and never before have i ever had such a rude person try to sell me something! I told him I had already spoken to someone this morning, and decided not go with them for a few reasons, and then he went off on one asking me why I bothered to ask him to call back! You might be able to guess what happened next; I ask to speak to a manager and a minute or so later the line goes dead....

Hope this thread helps others who look into using TT.

[killie99]

I'd use dial-up rather than TalkTalk BroadBand, it will be quicker and more reliable.

[TooNice]

The strange thing is that he then went on to say that TT have just been voted best for customer service! When i asked what group or panel instigated this survey and published the results, the line went dead for a few seconds!

Ah yes, can't blame them for trying. TT took 3rd place (count the number of candidates) in customer service for the Home Phone service here: http://www.uswitch.com/home-phone/customer-satisfaction

They did even better in terms of customer service there. But again, we are talking about their 'Home Phone' service. In fairness they also do okay in 'bundles' awards where there are not many competitor (and it's not like they always win it either).

Funny thing is, the only site that gave this much praise to TT for their Home Phone on gave them one meaningless awards when it comes to the Broadband service. O2 cleaned up the rest (which is probably why the guy couldn't give you a reference to look up)

[Tonka777]

Thanks for posting that! I guess 3rd out of 3 aint bad, you'd still get a medal if it were the olympics!