Confused about 21CN and changing ISP (plusnet)

Andelusion

Andelusion

Andelusion

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Joined
1 Oct 2003
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Location
Huddersfield
Hi all, sorry if I make some glaring errors here but after reading various threads/web pages I'm still not 100% on this.

I can't get cable where I live, I'm connected through ADSL with PlusNet. My exchange was recently enabled for 21CN, meaning my speed shot up from a horrific 60kbs to 220kbps - which still isn't fast compared to the vast majority of people, but was a tremendous increase to me!

Anyway. Now I'm on faster speeds I'm a bit dissapointed with PlusNet's usage policy (I'm on PlusNet pro) which has a 20GB p/month download policy and an 'unlimited' limit from 12pm - 8am. I realise most ISPs have a policy in place.

Here is some info about my local exchange:

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/MYHUD

Here it says AOL, O2 and Bulldog operate at my exchange. I've been looking at moving to O2 - as according to their website they don't have a concrete usage policy in place? If they do I certainly can't find it after looking through their T&Cs.

My questions are will I receive the similar 21cn (improved) speeds with any of these other providers? And does anyone reading this on O2 know about their usage policy? (if it exists...)

Thanks for any help.
 
You wouldn't be on 21CN with any of those, but rather connected to the providers' own equipment. At least with O2, you'd still be using ADSL2+ so should see similar, or improved, speed.
 
Thanks Tolien, I still don't really understand the difference between 21CN and ADSL2 :o I'm also a bit confused as to why PlusNet aren't listed as a provider at my exchange on the link I posted?
 
O2 Do have a FUP, though it's a bit hard to get exact details out of them but put it like this - I doubt you'd bother them if you left your 2Mbit/sec connection running flat out 24/7/365.

O2/Be are pretty decent as ISP's go, you can get some very good deals if you sign up through services like QuidCo and if you're an existing O2 mobile customer it is probably the best deal you're going to get.

It says your exchange is LLU enabled, just make sure they are signing you up to the LLU service and you don't get stuck on O2 Access which is a load of crap.

RE Speeds:

Be/O2 Operate an ADSL2+ network so yes, you will see the same benefits from being on BT's 21CN Network (and some more advantages such as no BRAS profiles).

If you play games I'd maybe look at Be instead as they offer quick and easy access to the tools to turn off things like interleaving (on by default on O2 and will require a support call to someone with half a clue to get it switched off) and they also allow you to adjust the target SNR from their control panel.

If none of that last paragraph made any sense to you then you probably don't need to worry.
 
Andelusion said:
Thanks Tolien, I still don't really understand the difference between 21CN and ADSL2 :o I'm also a bit confused as to why PlusNet aren't listed as a provider at my exchange on the link I posted?
Click to expand...

PlusNet are not listed as they are providing a service over BT's wholesale network.
 
Thanks guys, things are becoming more clear now.

Although the link I posted says my exchange can recieve BE via LLU; on their website phone number checker it says my line won't support it, so I guess that has something to do with my distance from the exchange, I am a long way out after all.

I will give O2 a call and make sure they put me on the LLU service as suggested :)
 
Andelusion said:
Thanks guys, things are becoming more clear now.

Although the link I posted says my exchange can recieve BE via LLU; on their website phone number checker it says my line won't support it, so I guess that has something to do with my distance from the exchange, I am a long way out after all.

I will give O2 a call and make sure they put me on the LLU service as suggested :)
Click to expand...

If they refuse online then give them a call and just say you understand that it's a long line and don't care etc. etc.
 
Just for some background info. 21CN means changes to the BT Wholesale kit in the exchange.

Providers have the choice of EITHER: Renting capacity on BT Wholesale equipment, and buying bandwidth from them (hint: if they don't purchase sufficient, things can crawl. It's NOT BT's fault, but your ISP being cheapskates. Zen and AAISP both run very solid BT Wholesale services with high speeds and low pings, but the price charged means they can actually afford to.). OR your ISP can choose to run their own connection to the exchange, and put their own equipment in. Costs them a packet, but then when done they pay less per subscriber and for use - meaning they can offer higher usage limits for less money.


O2's FUP is basically "if you're taking it a bit far, we'll call you and have a chat", although they are EXTREMELY relaxed. As in, 200-300gig per month isn't really deemed a problem currently.
 
wij said:
O2/Be are pretty decent as ISP's go,...

...just make sure they are signing you up to the LLU service and you don't get stuck on O2 Access which is a load of crap.
Click to expand...

Hi all, I'm thinking about O2 some more, can anyone (or wij) explain why O2 access is a pile of turd? I'm going to give them a call today and would like to be able to explain myself if the guy on the phone starts giving me hassle about LLU/O2 access.
 
O2 Access is provided over BT's wholesale network, i.e. it is the service that O2 put their subscribers on when either the exchange has no LLU presence or there is no more capacity to add users to the LLU equipment.

The reason it is a pile of turd (IMO) is because it is massively oversubscribed with insufficient capacity to meet the demands of its users - a quick browse through some of the posts over the last month or so on here will show you just how abysmal it can be.

They have tried introducing shaping and throttling to reduce the effects but it didn't seem to really make much of an impact.
 
Thanks for the info, it makes sense now.

The line checker (with bt phone number) fails for me on the O2 site, presumably because of my long distance away from the exchange. I just called them and they confirmed that according to their systems I would receive '0mb/s' speed ( :p ) but then on the BT check (which they also use) I'd get 2mb which tallys with what I've been receiving with PlusNet.

Apparently I could sign up and cancel for no charge within the first 30 days if my speeds are worse than my current, but then she also said that they wouldn't be able to do anything for me if my speeds became worse after that which worried me slightly :confused: I forgot to check if this was with BT's network or their own...

Have emailed BE (they don't have a phone number, at least not one I can find on their site, which is rather worrying..)

edit: Good god I must be blind, just seen the massive 'sales hotline' thing on the bottom left of their site.. :rolleyes:

edit 2: Called BE, Got put through to some European woman, I think she was Polish, rather hard to understand what she was saying, which didn't give me a good impression from the start. They said the same as O2 (as expected) re: poor line/can't guarantee connection. But unlike O2, they would expect me to pay the remainder of my 12 month contract if my line was poor :rolleyes: so that's a non-starter with BE then.
 
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O2's LLU service uses ADSL2+, which is a bit of a boost over ADSL especially on long lines.

Only a bit mind, but hey!
I'd suggest you go for it; after all you do have the 30 day get out free clause. I'm sure your current ISP would welcome you back with open arms, if you returned!
 
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