How hard to change Broadband supplier?

[Fiddlemesticks]

I currently use BT Broadband at home and pay £26 for unlimited (i think) download and max 2gbps or something.

This seems expensive compared to the rest of the market.

I dont download that much stuff, but would be good to check how much i am actually using.

So my questions are this:

1) Am i paying to much?
2) How can i find out how much i download?
3) Would you change provider if you were me?
4) Is it easy to change provider?
5) How do i change provider without screwing my life up?
6) And can i keep my email address that ends : btinternet.com?

Sorry its a few questions but i'm a bit bewildered!

Thanks for your replies.

[PJR]

I've just gone through this myself, and am about to do it again as im not particularly happy with my new isp..
Its actually quite easy to 'migrate' for the most part. The important thing is, to request from your current (adsl) isp for a 'MAC code' when you tell them you want to quit (nothing to do with Apple Computers). You then present this to your new isp, who can then arrange a seemless transfer for you. But its up to you to try to time it right so that the new isp starts working around the time your old one expires. (You can overlap and be subscribed to multiple adsl ISP's simultaneously and log into either one at will if you wanted, but you'd still pay for both of course)
On many adsl based ISP's website you will often see sections aimed at migrating people from other isp's. So they make it pretty easy for you (Nildram to name but 1 has this).
I just migrated from a 2mb 'uncapped' Pipex adsl connection. But it was bollox, as it IS capped. Certain ports have severely restricted speeds on them. So I went to Nildram, only to be connected at half an mb?? They tell me thats all my phone line will support even though 2mb with Pipex had been working just fine via the same phone line. Odd thing is, the BT website also says that this is all my phone line will support, so thats where Nildram got it from. Anyway, sod it.. im giving up and going cable. It costs the same and it will be 8 times faster than the adsl connection I have now.

And no, you are unlikely to be able to keep your BT internet email address. You'll get a new one with your new isp. But consider perhaps keeping a dialup option with BT if possible, then you can keep the email address, and its as good as free.

Cheers, P

[panclan]

Fiddlemesticks said:

1) Am i paying to much?
2) How can i find out how much i download?
3) Would you change provider if you were me?
4) Is it easy to change provider?
5) How do i change provider without screwing my life up?
6) And can i keep my email address that ends : btinternet.com?

Sorry its a few questions but i'm a bit bewildered!

Thanks for your replies.

1) Am i paying to much?
I currently pay £24.99 for a ADSLmax, upto 8mb connection with a 30Gb download only cap, uploads not counted

2) How can i find out how much i download?
www.dumeter.com/ will monitor your useage, its free for 1 month

3) Would you change provider if you were me?
Are you happy with the quality of service BT provide, also what is the contract length that you are on?

4) Is it easy to change provider?
As long as you are not on a long contract then ask for a MAC number

5) How do i change provider without screwing my life up?
Speak to your chosen ISP to see if they can make the switch on a day you select

6) And can i keep my email address that ends : btinternet.com?
No

PJR,

You say you moved from Pipex to Nildram, correct me if I'm wrong but Nildram isn't owned by Pipex?

Edited by panclan on Tuesday 12th September 09:11

[PJR]

panclan said:

PJR,

You say you moved from Pipex to Nildram, correct me if I'm wrong but Nildram isn't owned by Pipex?

Almost! Pipex doesn't own Nildram, but a company (whos name I forget) does own both Nildram & Pipex. I didn't find this out until after I had migrated.. Pipex have just bought Bulldog though..
It really doesn't matter however. The policies/prices of Nildram & Pipex are still very different, and as far as I am aware they still each have their own backbone/paths/whatever its called.

Cheers, P