Spec me an ISP

banja · 11 Sep 2008 at 14:41

I just moved into a new house. The Landlord (who lives here) cancelled the BT line a while ago and does not want another one. I convinced him that a Virgin connection + phone would be worthwhile, but having just called them we can't receive the internet from them, only the phone.

Are there any other options, without a BT line??

FrenchTart · 11 Sep 2008 at 14:43

Only VM really, other options tend to be a bit poo.

Can't you just get a phoneline yourself and not have the landlord deal with it? I'd never even consider asking a landlord about having a phoneline...It's a basic need in this day and age.

banja · 11 Sep 2008 at 15:07

I can't really afford the entire package myself (ie BT phone + internet) as he was / is willing to pay half. He cancelled the BT line as he uses his mobile and doesn't need / want a BT line.

It was only removed a month ago - it's not really an option to get one installed again.

MikeHiow · 11 Sep 2008 at 15:10

I'm guessing banja is renting a room, or in a shared house. You could try a mobile broadband solution from T-Mobile or similar (Check which networks give you the best 3G signal at your location, first).

Either that, or explain to the landlord, if you will not be allowed to have a BT Phoneline reconnected (at your own cost, not his, obviously), then you'll be forced to find alternate accommodation. That may help swing him, if you're lucky.

If all else fails, decide how much you need the internet. If you 100% need it, start looking for a new place

edit: you're saying you can't afford around £30/m? Look into talktalk or someone similar, they often offer bundle deals (Internet and telephone).

Major_Disaster · 11 Sep 2008 at 16:31

Arent sky offering £17/month for Phone + Broadband + TV?

banja · 11 Sep 2008 at 23:13

So with Talk Talk and / or Sky, do you not need the BT line? These are the kind of alternatives I'm looking for.

I am temporarily using a mobile 3g PAYG thing, but it's crap - it loses connection all the time, is dog slow, and you only get 1gig for £10. I need something stable (I do need it for work).

MikeHiow · 11 Sep 2008 at 23:27

You'll still need a BT line for either, however, talktalk includes your line rental and broadband as a package, I believe.

=VTA=MANFACE · 12 Sep 2008 at 07:07

Put it in without telling him/her.

Subby · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:03

What about broadband over a mobile?

daveyp · 12 Sep 2008 at 11:03

If you can get the bt line fitted then the best options are o2 then entanet reseller ukfsn. titanadsl.

banja · 12 Sep 2008 at 17:53

daveyp said:
If you can get the bt line fitted then the best options are o2 then entanet reseller ukfsn. titanadsl.

Thanks. Can you elaborate? Will I need to keep the BT account separately if I go this route??

The talk-talk option appeals as they include the line rental, telephone with free calls and 8 mb internet all for about £20, no going through BT at all (apart from reactivating the line that is)

tolien · 12 Sep 2008 at 18:11

Yeah, you still need to pay line rental for 99% of ADSL ISPs - it doesn't necessarily have to be BT Retail though.

banja · 12 Sep 2008 at 21:19

Thanks

Looks like talk talk offer a decent deal. Are they OK? Are there other ISPs that offer a similar deal where you pay the line rental to them, cutting out BT altogether? And talk talk are 18 month minimum. If there is an option which is a bit more flexible that would be better.

I'm not too fussy. Anything better than utter rubbish will be fine. I do some occasional online gaming, so as long as the connection is fairly solid, and I can browse / send email / view a bit of iPlayer etc without too much problem, I'll be happy.