NTL vs. Telewest

bmxbandit · 15-07-2005, 10:14

My GF just had Telewest services installed up in Newcastle, thought I'd compare how things went to my NTL service here in Nottingham...

TW: Sent info well in advance, texted the day before to confirm visit, arrived on time, quick install, friendly and helpful.
NTL: Sent info the day after, texted 5 days after with incorrect info. Arrived on time however, installed quickly, also frendly and helpful.

TW:Engineer checked that everything worked immediately, and it did (Including interactive!)
NTL:Broadband took two days of faffing and a few calls to CS to get it working. BB sporadic for two months until a CS bod finally notices that we were given the wrong SACM, whch kept being cut off. TV works 2 weeks after install (smart card problem...). Interactive only works with a following wind and 3 hail marys. TV finally gives up completely after about 6 months.

TW:Cherished.
NTL:Cancelled.

(Only NTL advantage - better BB speed, though sadly the NTL BB we've kept hasn't been upgraded to 2 meg yet).

Caspar · 15-07-2005, 11:29

Interesting comparison

...though most companies do have their pros and cons

It'll be interesting when two companies become one, will their pros and cons cancel each other out!

**Chris** · 15-07-2005, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caspar

Interesting comparison

...though most companies do have their pros and cons

It'll be interesting when two companies become one, will their pros and cons cancel each other out!

Until they can properly merge all their systems, I guess it will continue to depend on which franchise area you live in. The staff immediately post-merger will be the same ones doing the same jobs as they did for the separate companies. What we really need to worry about it which staff, which systems and which procedures survive in the new, merged company.

DWW · 19-07-2005, 18:52

I know from experience you can get just as bad problems with Telewest and better experience with NTL. Both companies work with a majority of contract companies and there is normally little margin for error on certain days of the week. When things go wrong they normally go very wrong due to the very nature of how installs are actually completed. I have said many things with regards to how contractors are treated by both companies on numerous forums. When they merge (soon from what i've heard) if the management stop penny pinching (false economy) and make sure installers recieve a decent wage and recognition for completing a high standard of work, customers will have a far better experience of CABLE in general.

Rillington · 20-07-2005, 15:36

True DWW but TW does seem to be better these days from what I can gather.

andymt · 04-08-2005, 11:43

when we start to see effects of the merger?

(potential telewest price drops etc..)
will their website combine etc...?
or will they market themselves as two separate companies?

personally i dont even know if the merger has taken place they said by the end of july and its now 04 august, but i havent seen any news about it!