|
||||||||
What is BT Broadband like? |
![]() |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
#1 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Isle of Wight
Posts: 7,811
|
What is BT Broadband like?
I'm currently with Sky for land rental and broadband unlimited, but am tempted to move to BT broadband because of their current offer. If I stay with Sky they will do me line rental for £17.40pm and free broadband unlimited, or line rental + fibre unlimited for £27.40pm. If I move to BT they will do line rental + unlimited broadband for £22.99pm and line rental + fibre unlimited for £27.99pm, plus I can get BT Sports through the Sky box for £3pm, and a £50 (bb) or £100 (fibre) cashcard so BT works out a little cheaper and I'd get BT Sports.
I have no complaints with Sky broadband for reliability or speed, so was wondering what peoples experiences have been with BT broadband because if I change I'm stuck for 12 months. Also, can I use my own router with a BT fibre hub? Cheers |
|
|
|
|
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
|
|
|
#2 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,637
|
Pretty unremarkable AFAIK. Not brilliant, not awful.
You should be able to use your own router to get online, but if you take BT TV it will be a bit more difficult to make that work through your own equipment. Do you have your own router already? Do you have fibre at present? If so, do you have the white openreach modem? You can't put the BT Home Hub into a bridge mode or anything that would really make your own router work well, but you can use a compatible VDSL modem (such as the white Openreach one) or a router with built in VDSL modem. |
|
|
|
|
|
#3 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Isle of Wight
Posts: 7,811
|
Cheers for the reply.
I won't be taking BT TV as I still have Sky TV on a half-price offer, but would add BT Sports for £3pm through the Sky box. I don't have fibre at present just normal 17Mb ADSL2+. I use my own router with Sky, it's not fibre but will accept a fibre modem as pass-thru - this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ilpage_o01_s00 which has Ethernet WAN (EWAN) offers another broadband connectivity option for connecting VDSL, cable or fiber modems. I'd sooner use my own router/modem as it has gigabit ethernet ports and dual channel wireless (2.4Ghz @ 450mbps and 5ghz @ 1300Mbps). |
|
|
|
|
|
#4 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Utopia
Posts: 10,166
|
Had Infinity 2 for about 3 years now, speed is always constant, and no problems...that is my experience with them, if you went with BT your experience may differ of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 1,225
|
I've been with TalkTalk, Virgin Media and Sky Broadband... and BT Broadband were the best of the bunch, I actually liked the Home Hub, it supports dual band and gigabit ethernet which Sky doesn't support (I'm guessing SkyQ's new router might however)
|
|
|
|
|
|
#6 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,637
|
Quote:
Cheers for the reply.
I won't be taking BT TV as I still have Sky TV on a half-price offer, but would add BT Sports for £3pm through the Sky box. I don't have fibre at present just normal 17Mb ADSL2+. I use my own router with Sky, it's not fibre but will accept a fibre modem as pass-thru - this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ilpage_o01_s00 which has Ethernet WAN (EWAN) offers another broadband connectivity option for connecting VDSL, cable or fiber modems. I'd sooner use my own router/modem as it has gigabit ethernet ports and dual channel wireless (2.4Ghz @ 450mbps and 5ghz @ 1300Mbps). |
|
|
|
|
|
#7 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Chepstow, South Wales
Posts: 89
|
I've seen an improvement with the speed i get from getting my own router over BT's own. I've got Infinity, but with BT's router i was getting 18mbps. Using a different one (one that supports dual band and has a gigabit connection), i get on average 30mbps.
Reliability has increased, i used to get consistent disconnects from BT's own router. Otherwise, i've had no issues. |
|
|
|
|
#8 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Isle of Wight
Posts: 7,811
|
Cheers everyone for the replies. Quote:
Then all you should need is a VDSL modem - either the Openreach one (HG612 on ebay) or something like the Draytek Vigor 130
|
|
|
|
|
|
#9 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,288
|
Quote:
I've seen an improvement with the speed i get from getting my own router over BT's own. I've got Infinity, but with BT's router i was getting 18mbps. Using a different one (one that supports dual band and has a gigabit connection), i get on average 30mbps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#10 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 69
|
Switched from sky to bt and found no difference. After all its still the same line. BT snr target was the same, sync speed similar. BT router I found to be better but at the end of the day both are cheap.
Network wise never noticed any slow down on either. |
|
|
|
|
|
#11 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Spalding, UK
Posts: 10
|
Quote:
Reliability has increased, i used to get consistent disconnects from BT's own router.
Otherwise, i've had no issues. |
|
|
|
|
|
#12 |
|
Inactive Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 2,359
|
I have no complaints. Its not perfect! but nothing is.
I've had BT 76Mb broadband for 28 months now, I've literally never called their customer support line. Great speeds, reliability is near perfect. Living in the city a new internet provider is now available to my apartment block, Hyperoptic, are a lot cheaper and provide even faster speeds. So, thanks BT you were great. Another reason I'm glad I moved to the city now, I'm turning into a right city dweller in my middle age! |
|
|
|
|
|
#13 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Scotland, Dunfermline Area
Posts: 10,701
|
I have had BT Infinity nearly 5 years now and have been 97%/98% happy with the service and also get just over 67mb speeds 98% of the time. Also have only ever had one or two minor problems with service in all that time.
Had BT up to 20mb speeds for 3 year before that and was lucky to get near 4mb speeds most of the time. I would only give BT customer help service 3 out of 5 as I had poor service from them when I had to phone them twice the other week for a minor broadband fault. Usually I would give BT customer help service a 4 out of 5. I have also had BT TV with Youview over 2 years now and have been mostly happy with the TV service. Darren |
|
|
|
|
|
#14 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,671
|
Infinity's great with them but customer service a no no
|
|
|
|
|
|
#15 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Wickford, Essex, England,UK,GB
Posts: 1,824
|
Remember that moving to any Telephone/broadband service there is only one top speed you will get and speed will be max that your line can handle only other difference will be:-
1) Price and how long you are tied with them. 2) Type for Hub ( Dual band Wireless and five or more network sockets is helpful to link your TV / Blue Ray players / Game boxes / computers and other items ) 3) Companies and it's customer care and help and if a full real 24/7 help service? 4) Internet Home page and any free virus software etc. There are other ways to get Broadband like Cable, Satellite, full door to door fibre and there are private and town networks which and give higher speeds then normal telephone/broadband companies so shop around and ask questions. |
|
|
|
|
|
#16 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: South West Scotland
Posts: 46
|
Been on infinity 2 for a couple of years now and it's been brilliant, great speed and hardly ever have any connection problems.
Agree with others about customer support it's not great, everytime I try to find out things regarding my account I get told different things. |
|
|
|
|
#17 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 676
|
Quote:
Cheers for the reply.
I won't be taking BT TV as I still have Sky TV on a half-price offer, but would add BT Sports for £3pm through the Sky box. I don't have fibre at present just normal 17Mb ADSL2+. I use my own router with Sky, it's not fibre but will accept a fibre modem as pass-thru - this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ilpage_o01_s00 which has Ethernet WAN (EWAN) offers another broadband connectivity option for connecting VDSL, cable or fiber modems. I'd sooner use my own router/modem as it has gigabit ethernet ports and dual channel wireless (2.4Ghz @ 450mbps and 5ghz @ 1300Mbps). |
|
|
|
|
|
#18 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 8,098
|
Please remember you no longer need an Openreach modem. BT Infinity is now self-install. They send you the HH5 plus a couple of ADSL style filters - that's it, no engineer no issues.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#19 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,637
|
Quote:
Please remember you no longer need an Openreach modem. BT Infinity is now self-install. They send you the HH5 plus a couple of ADSL style filters - that's it, no engineer no issues.
(oh, and also, if you happen to live in an area where BT has done FTTP, it is still professionally installed for obvious reasons) |
|
|
|
|
|
#20 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 8,098
|
Quote:
If anything, there's the potential for more issues, because at least one version of the HH5's internal modem doesn't work 100% properly with the VDSL equipment in the cabinets, and plug in filters and crappy self-installed extension leads are no substitute for a properly installed faceplate filter.
(oh, and also, if you happen to live in an area where BT has done FTTP, it is still professionally installed for obvious reasons) . Who mentioned self-installed extension leads - oh sorry you did.I initially used the filters on a professionally installed extension socket and was getting the maximum advertised speed. However, I decided to make the socket a data only socket so fitted the Openreach MS faceplate and used the two connectors on that to convert the office socket. No further need for filters - maximum speed exactly the same, so whilst there's always potential for anything to go wrong it doesn't mean it will. |
|
|
|
|
|
#21 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Scotland, Dunfermline Area
Posts: 10,701
|
BT Broadband is ok but not great depending on where you live. I had it for over 3 years before moving to BT Infinity.
I have been 98% happy with BT Infinity the just over 5 years I have been on it and have been with them for BT TV with Youview over 2 years now and have been 99% happy with the BT TV service. Darren |
|
|
|
|
|
#22 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,637
|
Quote:
And BT will be sending out a HH for self-install which isn't compatible
Quote:
Who mentioned self-installed extension leads - oh sorry you did.
These are genuine concerns that people and ISPs have had ever since BT announced the decision to go self install only. Quote:
I initially used the filters on a professionally installed extension socket and was getting the maximum advertised speed. However, I decided to make the socket a data only socket so fitted the Openreach MS faceplate and used the two connectors on that to convert the office socket.
No further need for filters - maximum speed exactly the same, so whilst there's always potential for anything to go wrong it doesn't mean it will. |
|
|
|
|
|
#23 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: S6 1SW WTID UTO FTB
Posts: 6,327
|
Quote:
Self install has nothing to do with that. One revision of the HH5 is not fully compatible with the cabinets that BT use, whether professionally installed or not. Using an Openreach modem makes it fully compatible.
Lets be honest if you get a Type A HH5 or an ECI modem you aren't going to be kicking doors in screaming it isn't compatible with anything. You wont even notice unless you do some deep digging as to whether G.INP is active or not. |
|
|
|
|
|
#24 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,431
|
Quote:
Had Infinity 2 for about 3 years now, speed is always constant, and no problems...that is my experience with them, if you went with BT your experience may differ of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#25 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 8,098
|
Quote:
i have bt infinity 2,sometimes its fast other times its like snail mail
|
|
|
|
![]() |
|
| Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 10:58.




. Who mentioned self-installed extension leads - oh sorry you did.