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[hawt!]

As no doubt some of you who browse the tech-forums are aware, my internet is on the whole, absoloutely diabolical despite paying for the 50mb/s package.

By diabolical, that means around 1.2mb/s in actual speed. Work that out as something of a 5000% decrease in what should be expected.

Quite frankly had enough, so I am looking for alternatives.

My question is, were I to swap to someone like BT would the connection still go through the same exchange? The problem here is 100%  overcrowding. When I moved in (and the place was relatively empty due to the fact that is a student neighbourhood, and nobody was back yet), the connection was to say the least, flawless. 24/7 download speed of 45mb/s, Upload of around 18mb/s.

So yeah, any feedback would be apprecieted.

[Tommy the Cat]

sing kanye west down the phone to them

you did say any feedback would be appreciated.

[Jebus]

I used BE at Uni and thought they were pretty great and have only heard good things since. (www.bethere.co.uk).

My mate signed up with them - but they installed it when he was away on hols. When he got back he had a message saying they had assessed his line and realised he was not getting the download speed they expected so had made some improvements and to please let them know if it was better. We were both pretty impressed!

When i had them they used to offer a 1 month rolling contract but seems they don't do it anymore. They do do a 3 month instead so can always try and see what you think?

[hawt!]

Very tempted by it - mainly for the reliability.

Do you think that 24mb/s is fine for 7 people?

Also I'm wondering what the costs will be like for terminating the Virgin Media contract.

[Jebus]

Well normally I would say that you have a have a pretty good case for claiming breach of contract on their part and asking them to terminate the account without charge (level of quality below what should be delivered given price premium etc) - but as its internet services I think you will struggle. Could always call the citizens advice bureau and ask what the best way of approaching it is? Don't think you will get Virgin to agree to anything with out a long process of letters. If you are willing to spend a while on the phone then asking them to terminate for free given your reasons - and if they say no, following up with 'can I speak to your manager' - until you eventually get to someone who will agree just to get you off their case. I know a couple people who have done that with some success although with different services. Otherwise you normally have to buy out the contract I am afraid.

I think you mentioned that the other users are mainly girls/low bandwidth users so should be fine. If you are feeling flush can always go for the line bonding route although i have no experience of that. I seemed to remember they gave pretty accurate estimates of line speed so can see what you will get and decide from there. Can always start on 24 for 3 months and see how you feel.

There were also a lot of pretty good discount vouchers about when I looked last year for a family member so might be able to get a few months free?

Edit: just had a look and for the broadband cancellation for Virgin you will need to pay £20 for each month left on the contract. If you have to cancel a phone line too thats extra.

[hawt!]

Cheers for the info, yes I would say I do actually have quite a strong case given the speeds, maybe not now but if I harrass for a month of two should be fine.

I'd take reliability over max speed any day.

[Allytk]

If all else fails poke them in the eye over the phone and run

[Omnipotens]

If you've not posted on the forums over at thinkbroadband.com already, I'd suggest having a look at least. The community there has a lot of experience with negativity towards ISP's and can be very helpful at times.

I had some issues years back with my ISP at the time and the pressure from the community led to some changes on the ISP's behalf, which mostly resolved my issues. It did help that the ISP had a community manager that read those forums, I have to admit.

It's a good resource in general, especially when it comes to looking for alternatives and suggestions, looking to the future, if not looking to resolve your current situation.

[Brahms]

Is it really going to be any better elsewhere? I thought both ADSL and Cable services are restricted by the amount of users?

[Zarf]

In answer to the original question, Cable uses a completely different infrastructure to DSL based tech, so your telephone exchange is not necessarily oversubscribed.
I'd still definitely recommend going with a decent provider like Be to ensure that you don't suffer congestion higher up in the ISP network.

Check the congestion on Virtual Paths for your exchange here:
http://usertools.plus.net/exchanges/

[BarryAv]

Do not get BT.  They are awful.

Virgin, I had nothing but great service from, so it's a shame you're having so many problems.

I'm with O2 now, as I've had my mobile with them for years.  They use BE's network, I've had them for about 4 months now and have no complaints (not yet, touchwood etc).

[Lister]

I'm having no problems with virgin media this year, but in my first year of uni they were a right pain in the ass. I guess it depends on your location

[discordance]

Do not get BT.  They are awful.

Virgin, I had nothing but great service from, so it's a shame you're having so many problems.

I'm with O2 now, as I've had my mobile with them for years.  They use BE's network, I've had them for about 4 months now and have no complaints (not yet, touchwood etc).

O2 uses the same infrastructure but has use limits, if you can get a cheaper deal with Be (they used to be massively cheap) theres no reason to go with o2.

[LtMama]

Be are fantastic imo.

I had the same problems as you hawt with virgin, and my parents use BT who are shite.

Be gave me an estimate of the speed I'd get when I joined, quoting exactly how far I was from the exchange etc. Customer service is spot on (something I cant say for virgin or bt) and it has a knowledgeable and helpful community. Plus, it's pretty decently priced. Don't get me wrong, it isn't the fastest out there and it's still ADSL, but I've had no issues since I've been with them. Plus, I havent payed anything for the past 3 months, since they gave me 3 months free for renewing my contract for another year :3

[DeadlyAvenger]

Yeah - I always liked Be, but in my 2nd year of having them we had lots of problems with them too due to overcrowding of the exchange and getting massive speed drops / connections dropping out. That lasted for at least a few months. They also managed to accidentally switch out our line randomly (i.e. they sent a BT person to disconnect us etc.)

Saying that - their customer service, price and when it was working it was a fantastic service. They also sent me to iLite for free - which can't be bad.

I'm currently with virgin media as my housemate pays for it - been pretty good imo.