City Fibre

[Steviepunk]

If I was to speculate I expect its market segmentation, a fair few business properties on my road, and business FTTP has been available here for over 3 years.

That is very possible - where I used to work had the same problem, our options were 8Mbps ADSL or leased lines, we were told that BT didn't want to even to FTTC as the 50Mbps @ £30 per month option would have been 'good enough' for most small businesses in the area and many of then were already on £300+ pm leased lines. Though not sure why City Fibre would care about that, unless there was council approval (or similar) required in order to provide it

Another possibility is an issue we had where I used to live, the residents association would not allow digging up of the street, so we were never even able to get Virgin there, FTTC was the best we could get.

 

[2013]

Not sure myself either, but before my renewal I was able to upgrade to a better plan that was available to everyone.
Their pricing isn't very fixed, by that I mean the pricing is constantly changing with new offers, went from paying £52/mo for 18months, to £31/mo (no CPI increases) for 24months (both 900Mbps).

.

Finally got Vodafone 900mb Download/upload sometime the upload is higher than the download, funny I was only getting 20mb upload before, its been good so far, I've just had some minor issues
I had to buy my own cable which i did not expect, 1 odd sites not working so far and some links on other sites not working, it Works fine on data and VM) Nothing helped after checking router and was told to change DNS, I have no idea if I should or how, im going to call again tomorrow.

How did you get away with No CPI ?

 

[Turn]

1 odd sites not working so far

What site is that, all the sites I use work fine, I would use another DNS anyways.
I suggest using the Cloudflare DNS. You can change it on your individual PC first to see if it works, and if it does I believe you can change it on the Vodafone router.
I'm using a third party router (MikroTik), so I can't remember if it was a setting, but pretty sure it is.

I had to buy my own cable which i did not expect

Pretty sure either my ONT (Calix) or my router came with a cable, can't remember which one.

How did you get away with No CPI ?

There was an "Xtra" plan which contained no CPI at the time, but they've got rid of it recently I think.
It was available for all plans I think, and gave you an Apple TV aswell.

 

[2013]

What site is that, all the sites I use work fine, I would use another DNS anyways.
I suggest using the Cloudflare DNS. You can change it on your individual PC first to see if it works, and if it does I believe you can change it on the Vodafone router.
I'm using a third party router (MikroTik), so I can't remember if it was a setting, but pretty sure it is.

the site is called ok.ru which host a lot of foreign shows with subtitles but that's the only one I've noticed so far but considering I've only used vodafone for 2-3 day I may find others, it worked fine on VM and mobile data.

Cloudflare DNS Do I need to register for it ? also is it secure, DNS Im not 100% sure how they work, would it data risk, I mean i wont be leaking any personal data using one would I ?

For pc do I just download a app ?
I've found how to change the DNS on the router

Pretty sure either my ONT (Calix) or my router came with a cable, can't remember which one.

as for the cable I'm not sure why but the city fibre engineers used it connect the router and the city fibre connection into the house and Vodafone refused to provide one so I had to order one.

here was an "Xtra" plan which contained no CPI at the time, but they've got rid of it recently I think.
It was available for all plans I think, and gave you an Apple TV aswell.

I cant remember but I could have got it at the time but I cant remember seeing much difference in the plan (apple tv for 3 months) Im assuming you need to pay fot it after 3 month and no info about the CPI. or am I missing something, did you also get the apple tv box ?


Does anyone know if the CPI price get added to the discounted price or the original price ?

 

[Turn]

the site is called ok.ru which host a lot of foreign show with subtitles but that's the only one I've noticed so far but considering I've only used it for a 2-3 I could find others, it worked fine on VM and mobile data.

I have only seen 1 site blocked, and it's been very recently, and it's been an Russian site aswell. For me it was sputniknews.com, and it was working a few weeks ago but banned since the invasion & using another DNS doesn't fix the issue either.
So for anything like that I'd suggest using a VPN & yes Cloudflare DNS is safe, you can also use Google DNS.
But CloudFlare is probably the fastest DNS around there, and it's very privacy focused.

as for the cable I'm not sure why but the city fibre engineers used it connect the router and the city fibre connection into the house and Vodafone refused to provide one so I had to order one.

Ah right, I think it might've been the same for me then, yeah. I had cables already lying around so can't remember completely.
But they should definitely supply a cable w/ the hub if they aren't already, I get that the router is supplied/delivered before the installation so it gives you time to sort it out but still quite annoying.

I cant remember but I could have got it at the time but I cant remember seeing much difference in the plan (apple tv for 3 months) Im assuming you need to pay fot it after 3 month and no info about the CPI. or am I missing something, did you also get the apple tv box ?

So every plan had the regular package, and also the Xtra package, the Xtra costing an extra £3/mo for the Apple TV box & no CPI increases.
I didn't ever use the Apple TV box so not sure how that all works, only got it to avoid the CPI increases. They may have removed the Xtra plan for now as CPI is going up a lot and it's probably not in their best interest to allow for a plan like that in these times.

How's the latency like @2013 to sites like 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) or fastly.com.
And if you do provide these stats, which location are you? - always interesting seeing ping stats for others

 

[2013]

I have only seen 1 site blocked, and it's been very recently, and it's been an Russian site aswell. For me it was sputniknews.com, and it was working a few weeks ago but banned since the invasion & using another DNS doesn't fix the issue either.
So for anything like that I'd suggest using a VPN & yes Cloudflare DNS is safe, you can also use Google DNS.
But CloudFlare is probably the fastest DNS around there, and it's very privacy focused.

Ok that could be the issue, its been a head ache because my dads been on my case (it was working why is it not now) Any browser, extension or app I can use on android instead of getting a VPN ?

Ah right, I think it might've been the same for me then, yeah. I had cables already lying around so can't remember completely.
But they should definitely supply a cable w/ the hub if they aren't already, I get that the router is supplied/delivered before the installation so it gives you time to sort it out but still quite annoying.

I never bothered checking to be honest and when I did open it I thought I only needed one cable because that's always been the case.

So every plan had the regular package, and also the Xtra package, the Xtra costing an extra £3/mo for the Apple TV box & no CPI increases.
I didn't ever use the Apple TV box so not sure how that all works, only got it to avoid the CPI increases. They may have removed the Xtra plan for now as CPI is going up a lot and it's probably not in their best interest to allow for a plan like that in these times.

How's the latency like @2013 to sites like 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) or fastly.com.
And if you do provide these stats, which location are you? - always interesting seeing ping stats for others

I think it was more for me, I can't remember how much more it was now but I think it was either £8 same as what its showing now. it was a special offer in December. also what are you paying ?


If you can tell me how I can check, also I'm in Yorkshire My speeds are still not stable the download changes 700 - 900

Using Fast.com
Your internet speed is
Download 970 Mbps
Upload 790 Mbps
Unloaded 4 ms
Loaded 6 ms
2nd try
Download 880Mbps
Upload 780 Mbps
Latency
Unloaded 4ms
Loaded11ms

3rd try
Download 970Mbps
Upload 930Mbps
Latency
Unloaded 4ms
Loaded 8ms


Speedtest.net
PING 4ms
DOWNLOAD 919.13Mbps
UPLOAD 942.10Mbps

2nd try
PING 4ms
DOWNLOAD 907.98Mbps
UPLOAD 942.59Mbps


Any Idea How to check and use the other DNS, I can try checking

 

[Turn]

Ok that could be the issue, its been a head ache because my dads been on my case (it was working why is it not now) Any browser, extension or app I can use on android instead of getting a VPN ?

NordVPN has a browser extension, but if it's pretty infrequent that you're going to use it, it may be overkill to go with a paid option but that's completely your choice depending on how much you use it most likely.
Not sure which one of these is best and if they scrape any of your data etc, but here's a few just to name them off:

I never bothered checking to be honest and when I did open it I thought I only needed one cable because that's always been the case.

Ooh yeah with ONT you got two fancy boxes now (the ONT not looking as fancy)

I think it was more for me, I can't remember how much more it was now but I think it was either £8 same as what its showing now. it was a special offer in December. also what are you paying ?

I got a really good deal, and it was an upgrade from my previous contract, which hadn't ended yet, where I was paying £52/mo (900Mbps) originally for about 16 months (w/ two months left).
And from there I was able to upgrade to a deal on Black Friday to make the cost £31/mo for 900Mbps, with no CPI increases. So a pretty good deal lol.

The prices change a LOT with Vodafone, like within a month you almost definitely see the prices change from what they previously were on the site.

If you can tell me how I can check, also I'm in Yorkshire My speeds are still not stable the download changes 700 - 900

I generally just use cmd and ping.
If you open cmd, and type ping IP/address, so ping 1.1.1.1 or ping google.com, you should be good to go (if you add -t at the end it continues to infinity or until you cancel).

Any Idea How to check and use the other DNS, I can try checking

If you go here https://1.1.1.1/dns/ and scroll down, there's some instructions for each device.
Didn't you manage to do it on the router though, you can check by using https://www.dnsleaktest.com/ , if you used 1.1.1.1, CloudFlare should show up, and if you use 8.8.8.8, Google should show up.

 

[2013]

NordVPN has a browser extension, but if it's pretty infrequent that you're going to use it, it may be overkill to go with a paid option but that's completely your choice depending on how much you use it most likely.
Not sure which one of these is best and if they scrape any of your data etc, but here's a few just to name them off:

I dont really want to pay for it so ill try the options attached but its for android (dont know if it will work).

Ooh yeah with ONT you got two fancy boxes now (the ONT not looking as fancy)

I know what you mean

I got a really good deal, and it was an upgrade from my previous contract, which hadn't ended yet, where I was paying £52/mo (900Mbps) originally for about 16 months (w/ two months left).
And from there I was able to upgrade to a deal on Black Friday to make the cost £31/mo for 900Mbps, with no CPI increases. So a pretty good deal lol.

The prices change a LOT with Vodafone, like within a month you almost definitely see the prices change from what they previously were on the site.

Its my first time with Vodafone broadband, What I would suggest to anyone else is check everything withing the 14 day, I found a few issues and im not sure they would have sorted them if I was not able to cancel.

You got a really good deal, its a extra £8 for me.

I generally just use cmd and ping.
If you open cmd, and type ping IP/address, so ping 1.1.1.1 or ping google.com, you should be good to go (if you add -t at the end it continues to infinity or until you cancel).

thanks here are the results

 

[Turn]

I dont really want to pay for it so ill try the options attached but its for android (dont know if it will work).

Ah right, the ones I sent before were from the Chrome store for Windows.
I'm sure if you type like Free VPN in the play store they'll be some options that are applicable to what you need.
I think Opera on the Android has a built in VPN but not sure if it's free.

You got a really good deal, its a extra £8 for me.

Yeahhh I know lol, it was for 24months aswell, so I'm set for awhile, another 18 or so months left! Hopefully another good deal comes around that time for me

thanks here are the results

Looking pretty good considering your whereabouts. Probably won't get much lower than that 5ms you see to 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)

 

[2013]

Ah right, the ones I sent before were from the Chrome store for Windows.
I'm sure if you type like Free VPN in the play store they'll be some options that are applicable to what you need.
I think Opera on the Android has a built in VPN but not sure if it's free.

Ill give it a shot.

Yeahhh I know lol, it was for 24months aswell, so I'm set for awhile, another 18 or so months left! Hopefully another good deal comes around that time for me

I'm hoping for the same considering I cant turn back now with a 24month deal.
any advice, Is it better to look out for deal and upgrade call them near the date and try and haggle a deal ?

Looking pretty good considering your whereabouts. Probably won't get much lower than that 5ms you see to 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)

Ok ill try and change the DNS on the router to this so everyone in the house can make use of it.

 

[Turn]

any advice, Is it better to look out for deal and upgrade call them near the date and try and haggle a deal ?

You can change/upgrade your contract during your existing one. I literally went from paying £52/mo to £31/mo during my contract.
Not sure if that's always the case but that's what happened this year during Black Friday.
I think you're better off just checking the site every now and then to see if there's a good deal, for me it's something I'll probably start doing as I get towards the end of my contract as I already have a good contract right now.

Like I mentioned before their prices change very very often unlike many other ISP's, so it's always worth keeping an eye out for any changes.

Ok ill try and change the DNS on the router to this so everyone in the house can make use of it.

Yeah it's also the quickest resolver in terms of actually responding to each request aswell. Not just the ping time that you're getting so it's probably by far the fastest option for you.

 

[2013]

You can change/upgrade your contract during your existing one. I literally went from paying £52/mo to £31/mo during my contract.
Not sure if that's always the case but that's what happened this year during Black Friday.
I think you're better off just checking the site every now and then to see if there's a good deal, for me it's something I'll probably start doing as I get towards the end of my contract as I already have a good contract right now.


Yeah it's also the quickest resolver in terms of actually responding to each request aswell. Not just the ping time that you're getting so it's probably by far the fastest option for you.

Thanks you've been a great help

 

[Rainmaker]

Christ, don't be installing random 'free' VPN extensions from the Play Store. They're well known to (variously) be malware, sell your data, harvest your phone, spy on you (i.e. in other apps like messengers, banking), track you and phone home with your data, as well as sell your browsing history and more. If you're that desperate not to pay for your VPN, use ProtonVPN's free tier. At least they're trustworthy, certainly in comparison!

 

[2013]

Christ, don't be installing random 'free' VPN extensions from the Play Store. They're well known to (variously) be malware, sell your data, harvest your phone, spy on you (i.e. in other apps like messengers, banking), track you and phone home with your data, as well as sell your browsing history and more. If you're that desperate not to pay for your VPN, use ProtonVPN's free tier. At least they're trustworthy, certainly in comparison!

Thanks
I was looking at ProtonVPN and hide not too long ago.

 

[Rainmaker]

Thanks
I was looking at ProtonVPN and hide not too long ago.

If by 'hide' you mean HMA then run away. Then, when you've finished running away, run away again. HMA are sellouts and narcs who scrape your data. Most of the 'free' VPN apps are Chinese and Russian apps designed to do nothing but bend you over and go in dry. Stick to one of the trustworthy big names. Better yet, pay.

 

[2013]

If by 'hide' you mean HMA then run away. Then, when you've finished running away, run away again. HMA are sellouts and narcs who scrape your data. Most of the 'free' VPN apps are Chinese and Russian apps designed to do nothing but bend you over and go in dry. Stick to one of the trustworthy big names. Better yet, pay.

No I mean Hide .me
also is Windscribe any good?

 

[Rainmaker]

No I mean Hide .me
also is Windscribe any good?

Honestly, if you want something private, fast and trustworthy I'd be considering:

Mullvad
OVPN
AzireVPN
Njal.la (aka iPredator aka The Pirate Bay guys)
ProtonVPN
IVPN

and not much else. If you need media playback (eg iPlayer, Netflix) then a cheap/almost free NordVPN sub with virtually 100% cashback is on Quidco as often as not. I wouldn't put anything sensitive through it though, personally. They do work well with streaming sites, and they're fast though.

 

[Turn]

Mullvad

If your going for a paid option, then yeah I'd definitely say Mullvad is probably the best, NordVPN is up there also.
You generally have to pay to maintain your privacy when it comes to VPN's, most of the free options generally have some level of monetization either by selling your data or showing ads etc.

It sounded like OP didn't want to pay for a VPN hence why I gave him an option where he wouldn't have to.
Of course, without doubt, I would always recommend paying for one as it's always going to be the best option if you care about your privacy.

 

[ChrisD.]

Personally I wouldn't be accessing .ru domains from anything but a jump box or sandboxed VMs.

 

[Schizophonic]

I'm hoping I'm posting in the right thread but what are people's setup like when the Fibre cable are coming into your house? Are they trailing the cable around the front of your house to get access to a suitable plug socket? I silly signed up thinking the internet will go through my ADSL line for some reason but I have it all setup neatly in my hallway where I've got some CAT5 around the rooms and into my loft where my NAS box is.

I want to see what people's setup with their cables from the outside and into their house? Is the fibre going through the wall where there's a power socket on the otherside?