Alternatives to BT Infinity?

Quartz · 2 Mar 2015 at 09:56

BT have told me I can't have Infinity because I'm directly connected to the exchange. So what are my alternatives for more speed? In particular I want a higher upload speed so I can try video calls and do cloud backups. I currently get ~8 Mb/s down and 512k/s-1Mb/s up.

ChrisD. · 2 Mar 2015 at 10:05

Depends on where you live.

https://www.samknows.com/broadband/broadband_checker

Cadbury · 2 Mar 2015 at 10:47

Unless you have VM cable or an FTTH provider, no. Your alternative is to move house because any company that also uses the BT VDSL services is still subject to them deploying the equipment.

Quartz · 2 Mar 2015 at 10:53

Looks like I'll have to ask CityFibre if they do a home service.

Evil Shubunkin · 2 Mar 2015 at 12:47

Quartz said:
Looks like I'll have to ask CityFibre if they do a home service.

Driving past the other day, it looks like Openreach are installing a fibre cabinet outside the Aberdeen West exchange (Seafield Road) so there may be plans to do similar at others in the city.

Quartz · 2 Mar 2015 at 15:13

There's a fibre cabinet directly across the road from me. I'm on the Denburn exchange.

ChrisD. · 2 Mar 2015 at 16:32

Quartz said:
There's a fibre cabinet directly across the road from me. I'm on the Denburn exchange.

Perhaps BT retail got their wires crossed, try ringing Sky or Plusnet.

KIA · 2 Mar 2015 at 16:40

http://www.digitalscotland.org/whereandwhen

demonix · 3 Mar 2015 at 16:09

Quartz said:
There's a fibre cabinet directly across the road from me. I'm on the Denburn exchange.

Have you used the BT availability checker since if it only mentions the exchange you're connected to, then you are directly connected to the exchange and that fibre cabinet even though it's just across the road from you is linked to another cabinet and your only options are VM, FTTP or a vain hope that a cabinet is installed outside the exchange that your line would be connected to which would enable you to get FTTC.

Quartz · 3 Mar 2015 at 17:25

BT have directly told me that I'm directly connected to the exchange.

#Chri5# · 3 Mar 2015 at 17:54

As demonix says - you'll have to hope they repeat what they are doing at other exchanges and put up a new PCP + FTTC cab so you're not an EO line.

mrbazmondo · 3 Mar 2015 at 22:00

http://www.broadbandchecker.co.uk/

I'm directly connected to the exchange but get 19Mbps.

My previous house I was a lot further away, about as far as you can be. I was originally with BT. Switched to talktalk and the speed doubled.