Any alternative to BT/NTL?
Any alternative to BT/NTL?
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Discussion

gruffy

Original Poster:

7,212 posts

288 months

Thursday 28th April 2005
quotequote all
Just moved - was with NTL before. Had an appointment booked for the day after the move to be installed in new place. Long-story-short: NTL made foul-up after foul-up and after two weeks of aggro I've just been told that my flat is 'unserviceable'. I know for a fact that's a lie and I was told that simply to get me off their back. I would complain to Watchdog, but I understand they have a regular slot on the show anyway.

BT have told me the earliest date they can install a line is two weeks away. Then I'd have to wait 2 days before arranging a broadband connection, which would take another 1-2 weeks. That means 3-4 weeks before I can be online with BT. Kind of tricky trying to run a business with no internet connection (especially the web design part of the business) so I'm hoping the PH knowledge base can come to the rescue...

Without an existing phone line, is there an alternative to BT & NTL when it comes to broadband internet?

Gruffy


ed

691 posts

304 months

Thursday 28th April 2005
quotequote all
I think the Carphone Whorehouse do a landline as NTL kicked up all sorts of shit when it was announced. May be worth a look.

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

284 months

Thursday 28th April 2005
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I use Telewest.

Broadband, TV, phone.

simpo two

92,700 posts

294 months

Thursday 28th April 2005
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OneTel now offer line rental at £9.99pcm

www.onetel.co.uk/linerental

russ

254 posts

313 months

Thursday 28th April 2005
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looks like you should have planned ahead , with all the press about how bad phone companies are and your needing it for your buisness.

Smartie

2,628 posts

302 months

Thursday 28th April 2005
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russ said:
looks like you should have planned ahead , with all the press about how bad phone companies are and your needing it for your buisness.


very helpful

Annodomini2

6,971 posts

280 months

Thursday 28th April 2005
quotequote all
name said:
I think the Carphone Whorehouse do a landline as NTL kicked up all sorts of shit when it was announced. May be worth a look.


That's just calls you still need a bt line

JonRB

80,014 posts

301 months

Thursday 28th April 2005
quotequote all
Depends on what you want to pay really.

For business-critical stuff, especially when you need good upload performance (as I presume a web business would) as well as fast download, then I would presume you would need a Leased Line. Could be a bit pricey at around £8k pa, but you get a Service Level Agreement and no contention.

>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 28th April 21:49

gruffy

Original Poster:

7,212 posts

288 months

Friday 29th April 2005
quotequote all
russ said:
looks like you should have planned ahead , with all the press about how bad phone companies are and your needing it for your buisness.
How much further ahead can you plan? I had an installation all agreed and scheduled for the day after I moved. This was in place for 4 weeks.

Gruffy

Vee-X

3,318 posts

286 months

Friday 29th April 2005
quotequote all
mybrainhurts said:
I use Telewest.

Broadband, TV, phone.


Which is not available if you are in a NTL area. just the way it works and the opposite is true also.

d3ano

7,414 posts

282 months

Friday 29th April 2005
quotequote all
If you don't have a phone line in the house, then you will have to wait until BT install that line; most of the ADSL ISPs require this.
As your cable supplier is NTL you won't have Telewest there. So your only option (from what i have read)is to go out and get a Vodaphone 3G datacard (assuming you have a laptop)

Someone correct me if i'm wrong though.

russ

254 posts

313 months

Friday 29th April 2005
quotequote all
stick with bt you know it makes sense,if you need the line in a hurry try being nice to their customer relations dept and they might be able to get an earlier appointment for you.It's a bit like getting an appointment with the dentist - if some one cancels their appointment you might get that time slot.

russ

254 posts

313 months

Friday 29th April 2005
quotequote all
btw which part of the country do you live in?this can have a bearing sometimes.