Change ISP

[PeteSmith]

I'm looking to change broadband suppliers and in need of some advice (recommendations).

I previously had Virgin Media 50mb package (Fibre without a phone line), which suited me fine in terms of speed and usage but i was getting seriously tired of their constant price hikes and abysmal customer service so i told them to take a hike.

I can't get BT Infinity or any other fibre package so i'm limited it seems to standard broadband packages for now. I'm looking for a reliable service from a reputable provider, speed isn't that important providing i can comfortably stream content from Netflix/YouTube.

I do need a static IP address, and upload speed is also important for web hosting. Business broadband options seem to be more appropriate than home packages for these reasons.

Ideally i don't want to pay more than £25 a month, which is what i was currently paying for VM.

Help!

[Guy]

Something will have to give.
Quality service, features, price. You can have two...

Out of interest what are you hosting? As these days unless you've got very specific reasoning I wouldn't dream of hosting anything internally. Too much of a security headache and given external hosting costs are ludicrously low it seem the way forward.

You'll get mixed reports (like everything) but I'm with Plusnet (Fibre, can't speak for any ADSL offerings) and can't fault them. UK based support, have the option of a static IP for a nominal extra. (Want to say it was a £5 setup fee but without checking my account can't confirm that).

Otherwise Zen would be your next bet.

[EndlessWaves]

Something will have to give.
Quality service, features, price. You can have two...

Actually the latest fashion in the broadband market seems to be giving huge freebies up front (free router, X months free, free installation etc.) and then jacking up the ongoing price.

If you want cheap then you have to play that game, switching whenever possible to take advantage of the best deals.

If you want to stick with an ISP for, say, 5 years and look at the total cost then you may find than the less mass market freebie orientated ISPs that often offer better customer service are just as cheap, if not cheaper. Someone like Uno does broadband and line rental with a static IP for £22 a month (19.99 excl. VAT).

[Noxvayl]

I used to use IDNet for my broadband after trying a bunch out when I stopped using BT thanks to their unreliable connection and shoddy support. They are worth a look, although they tend to be more expensive than the competition, I was happy to pay for that.

[PeteSmith]

Thanks for the replies.

IDNet have a rather paltry download cap on their base offering, and the un-metered is way more £££ than i'm willing to pay.

Uno don't seem to offer any products unless you already have an active line installed, which i currently don't.

Has anyone had experience with Origin broadband? They look to have the best current deal, similar to what Sky is currently offering. You pay for the line rental and the broadband is free for a year.

[flearider]

i'm on ee fiber .. never had a problem in the last few yrs ..
but it really depends on where you are and what state the copper is in ..and how far you are from the exchange .?

[greshoff]

I'm also with Plusnet on non fiber connection and service has been reliable over past few years

[ahtech]

Hi Pete. Origin Broadband have very good download speeds, good upload speeds, little extras and they provide a no-frills router.

[Noxvayl]

My next computer upgrade will see my current computer become a DIY router so that I don't have to deal with the nonsense we experience with our SkyHub.

[Dashers]

Zen. But you won't get it for the price you want.

@Noxvayl, I did this almost by accident years ago and even though I had a "proper" broadband router, it was still an absolute revelation. I'm running pfsense on a virtual machine now.

[virtuo]

I've been with Uno/Xilo on ADSL and the support was brilliant - always seemed like the same guy doing 24 hour support. Very knowledgeable but apparently doesn't sleep. Didn't treat me like an idiot either. Connection was also good, static IP not a problem and speeds as good as my exchange could manage. Recommended. Sure they do a phone+bb package.

For Fibre I'm with Plusnet, free router stayed in its box (I believe you can return it for a credit on your account). Support isn't great, but better than Virgin. And the connection is generally top-notch.

[ahtech]

@Dashers, Zen are very reliable! I took out a package for a company 7 years ago and they still have same package. The company primarily use the connection for streaming.

Also, Zen currently have an offer on some of their packages:

'In a rare move the Rochdale-based ISP Zen Internet has slashed the cost of their ‘up to’ 17Mbps (ADSL2+) unlimited broadband service by offering the first six months of service for free (£16 per month thereafter), although line rental of £16.99 per month is still payable as per usual.

The package operates off a 12 month contract term, comes with an included wireless router (£6.95 delivery charge) and you also get a Static IP address. It’s not often that we see an offer like this from one of the higher rated small to medium sized ISPs, which makes it uniquely attractive for those who prefer a better quality of service than the big boys offer.' [ISPreview]

[ik9000]

I previously had Virgin Media 50mb package (Fibre without a phone line), which suited me fine in terms of speed and usage but i was getting seriously tired of their constant price hikes and abysmal customer service so i told them to take a hike.

I just got a letter from VM advising of a £2.99 pm increase. And I'm not even a year into my contract. Ridiculous BS that they can do this. Don't blame you for leaving. Sorely tempted to do the same.