New to UK - BT FTTC VS VM?

m00g · 17-07-2011, 18:19

Hi all,

Newbie here (to both forum and UK!). Just moved into new place, which looks like its got VM cable installed (single coax to splitter box in the lounge area).

Investigating VM vs BT for AL1 5NQ (St Albans).

The BT ADSL checker (address only, no phone line atm) says:

Quote:

Our check also indicates that your line currently supports an estimated ADSL2+ broadband line speed of 3Mbps; typically the line speed would range between 1.5Mbps and 5.5Mbps.

Our test also indicates that your line currently supports a fibre technology with an estimated WBC FTTC Broadband where consumers have received downstream line speed of 34.6 Mbps and upstream line speed of 8.6 Mbps.

I imagine that this isn't very good, and I"m unlikely to reach full speed of FTTC. Should I just bite the bullet and go VM?

Thanks for any advice,
m00g.

gazzae · 17-07-2011, 19:47

I've BT Infinity, it's pretty good get constantly 36-38 Mbps.
I would say go for whoever will give you the best deal.

TJS · 18-07-2011, 11:17

I'm on virgins 50 mb package (currently the fastest in my area) and I have a consistent 49.5 mb/s download 4.5 mb/s uploads (give or take)

Also I'm living in one of the higher subscription areas for cable in the u.k. and experience no slow down during the peak times

Hope this helps

---------- Post added at 12:17 ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 ----------

P.S. your area is ready for 100 mb/s on virgin media

Zee · 18-07-2011, 13:31

Im guessing if you're happy with a 30-40Mb down speed, i'd go with BT due to the better upload speed, and take into account usage and price. I know VM is quite good with usage not sure about BT fibre.

m00g · 18-07-2011, 20:28

Thanks for the answers, guys.
I guess my concern is that BT won't give me FTTC because of the low ADSL2+ speed.

I'm concerned that I can't get an accurate estimate because I haven't signed up for a phone line - but if I sign up for a phone line and can't get adequate speed then I wouldn't have signed up for one in the first place!

jb66 · 18-07-2011, 20:29

Well with VM you know what your getting,

m419 · 18-07-2011, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by m00g

Thanks for the answers, guys.
I guess my concern is that BT won't give me FTTC because of the low ADSL2+ speed.

I'm concerned that I can't get an accurate estimate because I haven't signed up for a phone line - but if I sign up for a phone line and can't get adequate speed then I wouldn't have signed up for one in the first place!

BT are full of red tape, there is always a catch to there offers and they usually end up at a miserable dead end of having to pay more money or put up with poor service.

Currently there is an offer for unlimited broadband and unlimited calls for Â£16 per month, that is not including Â£13.99 line rental which makes it Â£29 and Virgin Media are offering something similar for Â£28 and TalkTalk offer that for about Â£27 per month. Therefore, comparing by price, there isn't much difference, but comparing reliability is another thing which you need to look at. Currently Virgin Broadband has been rated the fastest in the UK by Ofcom, i've had experience of BT before and there technical support isn't very good

m00g · 18-07-2011, 20:48

Thanks - it seems like Virgin is the way to go. I guess that (coming from OS) I just needed confirmation that Virgin was, indeed, a great choice. I've just heard a lot of negativity. I am concerned about when they are likely to release the new firmware (3 months? 6 months? never?!) to enable superhub bridge mode, as I am likely to be using VPN tunnels (both to the US and Australia).

Anywho - it sounds like I should go VM, if only for the reason that there is cabling already installed!

TJS · 18-07-2011, 23:08

Out of curiosity what country did you come from and what was the internet like over there?

m00g · 19-07-2011, 05:51

I"m originally from Aus. Internet is below world average.

ADSL2+ only available in most major cities and larger towns. Very poor coverage of ADSL outside these centres. Cable is run by 2 major companies, and really only avaialble in capital cities. Generally cable is up to 30MB, with the excepion of 1 city (Melbourne) where you might be able to get 100MB.

I lived 20min from city centre, and was achieving 12MB ADSL2+, with unmetered downloads for AUD$60 p/m.

Cable pricing is horrible - my parents get 30MB - 50Gb for AUD$70 p/m. NExt biggest plan is 200Gb for ~AUD$100.

Generally poor all round.

Also - Australia has recently implemented a rushed, mandatory internet blacklist filter at the ISP level, which is not accepted by the general public. There has been significant negative feedback against this filter, and general outcry at the inability to opt-out.

TJS · 19-07-2011, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by m00g

I"m originally from Aus. Internet is below world average.

ADSL2+ only available in most major cities and larger towns. Very poor coverage of ADSL outside these centres. Cable is run by 2 major companies, and really only avaialble in capital cities. Generally cable is up to 30MB, with the excepion of 1 city (Melbourne) where you might be able to get 100MB.

I lived 20min from city centre, and was achieving 12MB ADSL2+, with unmetered downloads for AUD$60 p/m.

Cable pricing is horrible - my parents get 30MB - 50Gb for AUD$70 p/m. NExt biggest plan is 200Gb for ~AUD$100.

Generally poor all round.

Also - Australia has recently implemented a rushed, mandatory internet blacklist filter at the ISP level, which is not accepted by the general public. There has been significant negative feedback against this filter, and general outcry at the inability to opt-out.

And we have to try to explain to people on here that Â£35 for 50 mb/s isn't overpriced LOL -roll eyes

downquark1 · 19-07-2011, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJS

And we have to try to explain to people on here that Â£35 for 50 mb/s isn't overpriced LOL -roll eyes

Lol try swizterland. I have to pay Â£57 a month for ADSL1

Never say never · 20-07-2011, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJS

And we have to try to explain to people on here that Â£35 for 50 mb/s isn't overpriced LOL -roll eyes

I never see anyone say Â£35 for 50M is over priced and I bet you can't find a post/comment saying it is. I have seen people say they would pay more for a service that was less managed.

AdamD · 20-07-2011, 10:41

I used to think it was overpriced, until they brought out 50, then a 100mb service.

For Â£45 a month for 100mb, it's a great deal I think.

qasdfdsaq · 22-07-2011, 23:10

Indeed, UK broadband as a whole presents extremely good value, when you look only at mbits per pound (or dollar). We score well below the EU and world average, and far far better than any of our geographical neighbours.

However when you consider some of them get truly unlimited services vs. our measly 2-30GB/month caps you can see where the extra cost is going...