Choosing the least rubbish LLU provider from a rubbish choice?

[Rob_B]

I'm moving soon and my broadband options are limited, there is no cable and the only LLU operators are:

AOL
TalkTalk (C&W, Bulldog ?)
Orange (I think, their site is shocking and I can't do a check)

There is an FTTC upgrade date set of 01/03/12 so I'll be waiting a while for that…

So…which is the best of an awful bunch? Cost isn't a big issue but obviously the cheaper the better, unlimited not required but I'd like a healty 40Gb+ if not. I could go with someone else on a non-LLU deal or, perhaps even go with mobile broadband for a few months & hope something else comes along.

Any suggestions guys?

Rob

[shaithis]

My commiserations! That's like asking someone to choose their own death....I would guess talktalk would be best out of them. AOHell I would never go near if you paid me......Oranges' customer support is appalling....

[oolon]

I believe AOL is also TalkTalk (I read the corporate web site a few days ago as I had a job interview with talk talk).

[dangel]

Talk Talk bad. Bad. BAAAAAAAAAAAAD

[pauldarkside]

Similar situation to my sister. Stuck with TalkTalk as there's little alternative in her area. Her exchange is due to go live around the same time too, so they'll be jumping ship as soon as possible.

Be careful not to tie yourself into too long a contract, you won't want to be sticking with any of those. If you go with TT, just realise how bad they are, imagine something worse, then you won't be disappointed

[Rob_B]

So....mobile broadband it is then!

[pauldarkside]

That or carrier pigeon, yes

[djnaff]

none of the above
has your exchange not got a 21CN WBC status as would go with bt over the above
aol = talk talk
I was on talk talk support was bad and was always trying to hook me into a 24month contract and 24/7 throttle on non HTTP ports
orange is just as bad

[Rob_B]

none of the above
has your exchange not got a 21CN WBC status as would go with bt over the above
aol = talk talk
I was on talk talk support was bad and was always trying to hook me into a 24month contract and 24/7 throttle on non HTTP ports
orange is just as bad

Yes...but I've no idea what 21CN WBC means, checking the BT site now

EDIT: £18/month for calls + BB?! Shocking

[chuckskull]

For some better information on your exchange check out http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange_search easier than going one by one, via the ISP's.

[Rob_B]

That's where I'm getting my info from

[huwwatkins]

Talktalk LLU are a service is ok, you could always buy their business service through an ISP with good customer support like xilo or aquiss etc.. Also, bear in mind that Talktalk have a members forum that is well staffed by talktalk support.

[Dareos]

hmm, good customer support like Xilo? someone hasn't read the other threads on this forum then

Talk Talk have been slammed recently by Which? and a few others, AOL are terrible.

Anyways, if that upgrade goes ahead in march, bear in mind that pretty much anyone you go with will have a long contract time of 12-36 months, so might be worth biting the bullet and going without for a couple months (I did it once, was hell, but I did it).

Research needed methinks

[huwwatkins]

Talk talk might be rubbish on the whole but their LLU network is not bad, their IP stream offering is rubbish. I was using xilo as a quick example. They get ok reviews on another isp forum.

Orange LLU no longer officially exisits.

[Betty_Swallocks]

No cable. That sucks.
TBH the availability of cable in an area would be a major consideration for me when househunting.
I don't ever want to go back to the crap that is ADSL

[Rob_B]

Well now I’m moved in & trying to get by with a 3G dongle that cant decide between a 4 bar HSDPA signal or NO signal I’m still looking.

BT will cost me £28/month (BB & Phone with weekend calls) soon to rise by another £1 after 3rd December - £30 quidco

TalkTalk LLU is £12.75 for the same also with evening+weekend calls - £65 quidco

I’m torn, I know I should be looking elsewhere but with FTTC coming in March (both BT & TT say I can upgrade when it hits, alleged 27mb speed for me) Cost is a massive issue right now (moving costs lots of pennies!) and TT is just so cheap even if I have issues its costing me a pittance over the term.

I hear the LLU is better (as mentioned in this thread) I hear customer service is improving I just need to make the jump to someone before I go mad!