Openreach FTTP - TalkTalk DHCP vs ISPs using PPPoE

Simon42 · 12 Apr 2023 at 11:29

Openreach FTTP is finally in our area so we're not stuck with Virgin Media's service as the only viable option (FTTC was 12/3 Mbps at best).

I have quite a complex home network on pfSense (Protectli device with an i5-8250U) and I believe it should do 1Gbps FTTP PPPoE despite the general FreeBSD limitations but it seems wasteful to increase load and cost if the service doesn't have other benefits. I also need to avoid CGNAT and upload speed is important to me (backups) but I most ISPs seem similar in that respect.

I believe TalkTalk residential uses DHCP, but other ISPs are offering PPPoE so the question is whether TalkTalk are poor in any respect and whether any of the other ISPs (I like the specs of the Aquiss offering) are significantly better in service/backhaul to go the PPPoE route?

Caged · 12 Apr 2023 at 11:33

Sky also use DHCP if you wanted an alterative option.

If you have certain requirements and need to be able to talk to support staff with a decent level of technical skill then I wouldn't be looking at TalkTalk or Sky to be honest. TalkTalk don't even offer IPv6, neither offers a static IPv4.

ChrisD. · 12 Apr 2023 at 11:53

Customer Service and lack of IPv6/static IPv4 aside, the TT network is actually really decent.

kosymodo · 12 Apr 2023 at 15:52

Aquiss are a good shout - I only left them recently due to wanting better value for money (speed-wise). However, if your focus is on the speed/technical knowledge and support rather than the cost, then Aquiss would be a great fit for you IMO

Simon42 · 13 Apr 2023 at 09:11

Thanks all.

Having reviewed more services I think it is indeed down to TalkTalk for DHCP or Aquiss for PPPoE given their options and shorter contract in case PPPoE hits any limit of my Protectli FW6D with its existing load (I don't want to retire it just yet due to cost or replace it with yet another virtual machine).

wizard · 4 May 2023 at 20:50

kosymodo said:
Aquiss are a good shout - I only left them recently due to wanting better value for money (speed-wise). However, if your focus is on the speed/technical knowledge and support rather than the cost, then Aquiss would be a great fit for you IMO

Interesting. Did you go to Giganet? What do you mean by better value (speed wise).

kosymodo · 4 May 2023 at 21:01

wizard said:
Interesting. Did you go to Giganet? What do you mean by better value (speed wise).

Yeah, I switched to Giganet a month or so ago.

With Aquiss, I was paying £34/mth for 80Mbps/20Mbps, whilst with Giganet I'm paying £37/mth for 500Mbps/70Mbps. Therefore, speed-wise, it was a no-brainer to switch. However, support-wise, it's a different matter!

wizard · 4 May 2023 at 21:03

kosymodo said:
However, support-wise, it's a different matter!

How was the Aquiss support? Looks like a "small" outfit but, I guess, service is all that matters.

kosymodo · 4 May 2023 at 21:08

wizard said:
How was the Aquiss support? Looks like a "small" outfit but, I guess, service is all that matters.

On a scale of 1-10, it would be 11...seriously! Their MD personally replies to support queries

wizard · 5 May 2023 at 10:49

kosymodo said:
Yeah, I switched to Giganet a month or so ago.

How easy was it to move from Aquiss? Giganet apparantly require a written requst AND a response from them!

kosymodo · 5 May 2023 at 11:27

wizard said:
How easy was it to move from Aquiss? Giganet apparantly require a written requst AND a response from them!

Not sure where you heard that, but it's complete rubbish!

I placed the order (migration) with Giganet, and it all happened seemlessly behind the scenes. The Aquiss connection went down at approx 00:30 on my go live date, and the Giganet connection was live as soon as I changed over the PPPoE credentials on my router, which I didn't get round to doing until around 09:30