Help chosing a new FTTP provider

RockSteddy

RockSteddy

RockSteddy

Associate
Joined
13 Oct 2010
Posts
425
Hello All, I'm currently on a 500Mb service with Gigaclear who despite problems with the install (took months to resovle!) I've been very happy with the service. The issue of course is that my intial 18 month contract term is now up and the price will more than double to £59 p/m from October.
I will be having a word with customer services to try a negotiate a better price (the options they have provided via email have not been great) but I'm not hopeful. So due to this I'm looking at possibly moving to an alternative FTTP provider (only Openreach and Gigaclear provide 1gb speds in my area) so wanted to ask if there are any recommendations on which ISP to go with. As all the ISP's will be using the Openreach network is it case of them all being pretty much the same and just go for the cheapest price offer etc or are there any ISP's who you would avoid with a long barge poll?

With a quick look Plusnet are doing a 900Mb package at £44.99 p/m (for 24 months) which seems very reasonable, are they decent enough or any other recommendations?

TIA!
 
That £44.99 will soon turn into about £50 come March then £55+ come the year after. You really need to ask yourself if having 500 Mbps now is somehow holding you back that you want to put the extra into that 400 Mbps.

Just tell Gigaclear that you want the 600 package for £26 that they currently advertise and if they say no leave and get an order in with another provider on a 1 month contract (or hard abuse the 14 day cooling off period). Then just resign back up with Gigaclear. Even tell them you're going to do this and they will soon process the order. Some of these companies work on intimidation that you won't actually do anything. Be fair but aggressive.
 
Thanks all for the replies, I've looked in to Aquiss and they are doing a great 6 months half price deal at the moment and better still the contract is only for 12 months with no in contract price rises as ChrisD said!

Thanks for the advice GregI, I will definitely speak to Giagaclear and see what they say. Yes I don't really need the extra 400Mb but I just like the thought of those extra MB's when downlaoding a hefty game for example, I hate waiting for things! :D

If Gigaclear don't play ball then I'll be happy to go with Aquiss (their online reviews have been great as far as I can see with supurb customer service reported) for the 12 months and then if I want to I can shift back to Gigaclear when the Aquiss contract ends.
 
One thing that might be good if you have it available is Uno. They have packages for BT Wholesale and Vodafone. Vodafone 1 month contract is £43.99 for 1 Gbps.

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12 months £42.99 and 24 months £41.99 so you may aswell do the 1 month contract for flexibility. Also highly rated provider.

This way you get the taste of the speed for 2 months and if you like, it's coming up to Black Friday by that time where it seems like Gigaclear have good deals. Last year they had 500 Mbps for £19 so expect similar. I doubt you can pass that up.
 
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RockSteddy said:
Thanks all for the replies, I've looked in to Aquiss and they are doing a great 6 months half price deal at the moment and better still the contract is only for 12 months with no in contract price rises as ChrisD said!

Thanks for the advice GregI, I will definitely speak to Giagaclear and see what they say. Yes I don't really need the extra 400Mb but I just like the thought of those extra MB's when downlaoding a hefty game for example, I hate waiting for things! :D

If Gigaclear don't play ball then I'll be happy to go with Aquiss (their online reviews have been great as far as I can see with supurb customer service reported) for the 12 months and then if I want to I can shift back to Gigaclear when the Aquiss contract ends.
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You will not regret the move to Aquiss. Their MD, Martin, answers some of the technical questions and is extremely industry and product knowledgeable. Since I moved to them a few months ago, I have not had to make a single call to them for issues.
 
I moved to Aquiss from VM in March this year and its been great. I did have a technical issue but that was due to the ONT not being installed properly. Aquiss arranged for a BT Openreach engineer to be at my house the next day and the issue was fixed.
 
I'm with Aquiss, who like most have been great and a breath of fresh air to be able to talk to someone with any issues and not just a call center!

Coming to the end of my 12 month contract. Anyone managed to get any discount sticking with them after this time?
 
LordVader said:
I'm with Aquiss, who like most have been great and a breath of fresh air to be able to talk to someone with any issues and not just a call center!

Coming to the end of my 12 month contract. Anyone managed to get any discount sticking with them after this time?
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I don't think Aquiss offer any, as I recall from my conversation with them when I joined them.
 
LordVader said:
I'm with Aquiss, who like most have been great and a breath of fresh air to be able to talk to someone with any issues and not just a call center!

Coming to the end of my 12 month contract. Anyone managed to get any discount sticking with them after this time?
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I'm a few months into my 2nd year with Aquiss and I didn't even bother asking them to carry the discount on. I think its fairly obvious its for the first 12 months and that's it. Let me know if you get it as I will try!
 
MarcLister said:
I'm a few months into my 2nd year with Aquiss and I didn't even bother asking them to carry the discount on. I think its fairly obvious its for the first 12 months and that's it. Let me know if you get it as I will try!
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I am not aware of any other "reliable" provider that offers better rates and service - that is on Openreach platform at least.
 
Out of interest I asked if I can get Aquiss to my address and I can, currently on Virgin 1Gbps (out of contract, paying £35.99) so another string to my bow!
 
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HEADRAT said:
Out of interest I asked if I can get Aquiss to my address and I can, currently on Virgin 1Gbps (out of contract, paying £35.99) so another string to my bow!
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Nice one. Get yourself a trampoline and jump ship! I did and I honestly can't say I miss VM. Had multiple outages over the last 2 years I was with VM often last several hours. No such issues (touch wood) with Aquiss.
 
HEADRAT said:
Out of interest I asked if I can get Aquiss to my address and I can, currently on Virgin 1Gbps (out of contract, paying £35.99) so another string to my bow!
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Sorry I'm confused. Isn't £35.99 a month for 1 Gbps pretty insane value out of contract?
 
wizard said:
You will not regret the move to Aquiss. Their MD, Martin, answers some of the technical questions and is extremely industry and product knowledgeable. Since I moved to them a few months ago, I have not had to make a single call to them for issues.
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Yes I had quick direct responses from Aquiss when I had to sort out the absolute farcical mess BT made when switching me over. Over the six month half price period now but still good value for me.
 
MarcLister said:
Nice one. Get yourself a trampoline and jump ship! I did and I honestly can't say I miss VM. Had multiple outages over the last 2 years I was with VM often last several hours. No such issues (touch wood) with Aquiss.
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Fully agree.

I reached out to Aquiss to see if they would offer discount after 12 months, response is they don't do that, "quality not price".

Now let it be said that Aquiss are awesome. Their service has been great but there are similar products/service for £30ish (900mbit).
 
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