BT broadband

[Admin]

There's lots of talking about high speed broadband - but nothing has changed here in Pen.

However I did think it worth sharing that following lots of complaining to BT and getting nowhere they offered me a cheap deal. I declined at first because I wanted a faster better service, but in the cold light of day I realised I wasn't going to get that for a while so I pushed for the the deal. They refused at first saying it was a limited offer at the time but on a second phone call they succumbed.

I was paying £18 a month for 'unlimited' broadband. Now I am paying £5.85 a month.

I share this so you might know what is possible. We should not be putting up with a rubbish service when others get much faster and reliable broadband for the same price!

Hope this helps you,

Geoff

[Admin]

Some reviews here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/broadband/2015/04/sse-takes-a...

http://www.broadband.co.uk/broadband/providers/sse/reviews/page:all/

If you are not a heavy user, then this seems a good deal. Reviews are mixed - I ignore the best and the worst and read the middle ones. It uses the same wires as you do now. 

If BT improves later then you can always switch back.

Geoff

[Gilly]

Thank you Geoff.

Yes - thought I could opt out whilst on contract but possible penalties or something.  Also thought more 'power' when saying will not renew unless..... Looking forward to your thoughts on SSE.

Gilly 

[Bernard Sullivan]

Broadband and phone call costs usually go hand in hand, and may include evening and weekend calls, with supplementary charges for any time calls. Getting the best all-round deal needs a little research and definitely worth spending time negotiating the best deal. Threatening to cancel is quite an effective lever, we have found. Having negotiated the best deal for broadband and calls, we do not use the landline phone at all for outgoing calls. It simply did not make sense to pay for anytime calls that way. We signed up to a Tesco mobile contractl for two family members, for which we got two new smart phones, 400 mins of calls each, to landlines or mobiles, plus almost unlimited texts, with enough data to supplement our needs when out and about. All for just £7.50 per month each. Worth checking provided you can get O2 coverage in your part of Penselwood. 

[Admin]

Gill

Like you I have been with BT for ever (since 1997). Since they are putting line rentals up we can opt out during contract too.

I wasn't aware of SSE offer but will look now.

Geoff

[Gilly]

Update:

Has anyone changed their contract to SSE?  Would be grateful for any feedback. Gilly

[Gilly]

Hi Geoff

I need to look at my BT contract again as it is due for renewal.  I use 'Any Time Calls' and got a deal similar to yours for unlimited broadband after complaints and they advised they would look at my new contract prices when contract time is up.  

Have any of you considered SSE - offers?  It seems a pretty good deal but I have been with BT for years and years!!!

https://www.southern-electric.co.uk/PhoneAndBroadband/Products/Broa...

[Admin]

Here's a case study from our area

Link News

Geoff

[Bernard Sullivan]

Hi Geoff, I concur with your own experience although, being in Bourton, I have access to fibre broadband. However, before accepting the present contract, I threaten to cancel and it was only then that I was offered a much better deal. On the subject opf getting much faster access in Pen, have you considered the possibility of a private radio link up from Bourton to distribute locally? There may be companies that offer this and it involves the fitting of a small receiving aerial on your house. I have in the past used one such in Montengro and I know friends who access their internet that was in Spain. Hope this may help a little. I am sure you must also have looked at satellite broadband possibilities.