Is an upgrade likely to improve reliability ?

[Alan Ryan]

For the last 12 months I've been using the 150K connection - which I know is NOT really Broadband. The "service" recently has got even worse than normal.
If I upgraded to the 600K option, is it likely that general reliability will improve ? I'm not absolutely driven by the speed factor - which is why I've stuck with 150K - but I do want to get online and send/receive e-mails with a minumum of fuss, hesitation, etc.

[seaneeboy]

Give it a couple of days and you'll be on 300k for no extra cost.

If you're having connection troubles it'd be worth calling up CS and asking if there's any problems in your area...

[Alan Ryan]

Thanks Sean: This free 300K "upgrade" is news to me. I never bother contacting CS - a waste of time and money. It's quicker and less hassle to set fire to a fiver.

[seaneeboy]

Hey Alan,

Have a look at:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/...upgrades-begin

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/...peed-increases

I can understand cynicism about the CS people - but they can be worth a go sometimes - it's got to make more sense than just forking out extra money every month in the hope that that will fix it

[Alan Ryan]

Thanks again Sean: Just had a look at the link you gave - so I'll get a half speed broadband connection in a few days time if Lincolnshire isn't forgotten about. I haven't been to this forum for months, so I'm out of the loop as far as the latest ntl outrages are concerned. I'm still toying with the idea of moving up to the 600K (soon 750) "service".

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Alan Ryan

Thanks again Sean: Just had a look at the link you gave - so I'll get a half speed broadband connection in a few days time if Lincolnshire isn't forgotten about. I haven't been to this forum for months, so I'm out of the loop as far as the latest ntl outrages are concerned. I'm still toying with the idea of moving up to the 600K (soon 750) "service".

You shouldn't have to 'upgrade' just to get a decent working service.

If you are having problems, ring ntl Tech Support & ask them to sort it at no cost to you.

[Alan Ryan]

Neil - There's always a "cost" when contacting ntl Support - even if it only amounts to wear and tear on your nerves as you hang on the phone for ages and wonder how much the call is costing.

[paulyoung666]

i think neil meant at no cost to you regarding upgrading your speed , mind you there are some knowledgeable ntl peeps on here who maybe able to help you

[Alan Ryan]

OK Paul: I suppose common sense tells me that "reliability" has little to do with the speed of broadband connection: ntl can be unreliable at any speed. But I've sometimes wondered whether subscribers to the cheapest tariff get a more unreliable service than average.

[BBKing]

In all respects other than two lines in a config file the service is the same for all tiers of service. If you're having problems tell us otherwise there's not a lot we can do *

* Yet. We're working on it.

[scrotnig]

Originally Posted by Alan Ryan

OK Paul: I suppose common sense tells me that "reliability" has little to do with the speed of broadband connection: ntl can be unreliable at any speed. But I've sometimes wondered whether subscribers to the cheapest tariff get a more unreliable service than average.

No. Not true

*Cheesey phrase alert*
All customers are of equal value to the company. If your service is not very good, Neil's suggestion is spot on. Get the company to look at it, they won't object, in fact they'll be grateful because in theory you might alert them to a problem they did not know about.

If you don't want to pay for the call, call customer services for free and they will transfer you.

Also it's always worth asking if you can get a deal to upgrade to 600kk/750k, if you're considering doing that anyway. If you don't ask, you don't get, the worst they can do is say no!

[Alan Ryan]

Thanks Mark: Re your suggestion on an upgrade deal, I'll get on the case tomorrow. Not sure what your "cheesy phrase alert" means ?

[poolking]

Originally Posted by Alan Ryan

Thanks Mark: Re your suggestion on an upgrade deal, I'll get on the case tomorrow. Not sure what your "cheesy phrase alert" means ?

I think what he means is ntl values all its customers even though it may not appear so when you ring CS.

[Jon M]

Is an upgrade likely to improve reliability ?

No. It's like adding extra lanes to a motorway and driving the same old knackered cars down it. The cars are still knackered, but you can get more of them on there at the same time.

[nate]

Alan,

What reliability problems are you having exactly?