What are my broadband options?

iB CoMpL3XiTy

iB CoMpL3XiTy

iB CoMpL3XiTy

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Joined
10 Sep 2010
Posts
1,533
Location
Cornwall, England
Hi,

I'm living in a house share with 5 other people and we all connect to the same network which is a BT "upto 17mb" services which is actually more like 7mb.
As you can imagine with 6 people using the internet it gets pretty slow, downloading, streaming and online gaming are all pretty much out.

So I want my own connection, I've spoken to BT about getting another line connected to the house so I could have my own broadband but it wouldn't be any faster (the guy on the phone said my average speed would be about 7mb) so that hardly seems worth it as that's still pretty slow even if I'm the only one using it and it would cost me £30 install fee and £23 a month.

Fibre isn't available from open reach or virgin.

No networks seem to offer 4G with unlimited data that you can use as a hotspot (I want unlimited data).

Any other options?
I'm not looking for anything superfast but something like 20mb/2mb and unlimited data.

Thanks for any advice.
 
Have you checked if there's a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) in your area?

If there isn't, and you want unlimited data (or a very large cap), the second line with ADSL is going to be your only viable option.

Could you split the cost with one of the other people in the house? 7Mbps between six of you will be pretty bad, but 7Mbps between one or two people should be perfectly usable for most things.
 
In a non 'this is how you get around your network operator's hot spot/tethering restriction' kind of way, have you considered a VPN? Sat may also be an option, latency will suck, but it's not as horrific as it used to be in terms of price.
 
What's your postcode, if you don't mind sharing? Or post up results from www.dslchecker.bt.com on the address checker.

For reliability, I'd still look at my own line. 7Mb between one person is still very much usable. Have you looked at Plusnet or TalkTalk for a new line? Both are cheaper than BT.
 
bremen1874 said:
Have you checked if there's a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) in your area?

If there isn't, and you want unlimited data (or a very large cap), the second line with ADSL is going to be your only viable option.

Could you split the cost with one of the other people in the house? 7Mbps between six of you will be pretty bad, but 7Mbps between one or two people should be perfectly usable for most things.
Click to expand...

Just had a look for WISP in my area (Cornwall) and it doesn't look like it'll be an option, infact the only area that seems to have coverage is Norfolk, unless I'm missing something.

Yeah I could split the cost with someone else, she does stream tv programs occasionally but I guess that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Avalon said:
In a non 'this is how you get around your network operator's hot spot/tethering restriction' kind of way, have you considered a VPN? Sat may also be an option, latency will suck, but it's not as horrific as it used to be in terms of price.
Click to expand...

No idea about using VPNs or SAT, I would like latency to be atleast reasonable as I want to play online games.

Sparx said:
What's your postcode, if you don't mind sharing? Or post up results from www.dslchecker.bt.com on the address checker.

For reliability, I'd still look at my own line. 7Mb between one person is still very much usable. Have you looked at Plusnet or TalkTalk for a new line? Both are cheaper than BT.
Click to expand...

I've had a look on dlschecker, here's the link to the results: http://www.dslchecker.bt.com/adsl/ADSLChecker.postcodeoutput

If the link doesn't work for you then my postcode is TR14 8DH.

I didn't know I could get a new line with anyone other than BT, or does a BT engineer still come out to install the line and then I just get my service from another provider?

Thanks for the help so far guys.
 
iB CoMpL3XiTy said:
I've had a look on dlschecker, here's the link to the results: http://www.dslchecker.bt.com/adsl/ADSLChecker.postcodeoutput

If the link doesn't work for you then my postcode is TR14 8DH.

I didn't know I could get a new line with anyone other than BT, or does a BT engineer still come out to install the line and then I just get my service from another provider?
Click to expand...

Yep you can get a new line with any other provider bud. So you are free to go to another ISP like Plusnet, Talktalk, Sky etc for a 2nd line in your name at a cheaper rate. If you order a new line Openreach will still come and do the work as it's their infrastructure, but you'll have a new separate line for yourself.
 
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