BT again!

[dogtired]

Re: BT again!

Sorry for reserecting this but BT are at it again!
Changing billing and DD dates without proper notice.
I have asked for a MAC code and they tried to suck me in again, currently bills average out at about forty pounds but they could do a deal for £35.00. I said I would think about it rang back later the person still tried it quoting me £25.01 and rubbished my intended new provider saying that if they (BT) upgraded the exchange the new provider would not be able to upgrade my speed. He then ,again tried to look at a new deal, but this time came up with £35.01! So still insisted on getting my MAC code!:target:

[teaboy2]

Re: BT again!

Sorry for reserecting this but BT are at it again!
Changing billing and DD dates without proper notice.
I have asked for a MAC code and they tried to suck me in again, currently bills average out at about forty pounds but they could do a deal for £35.00. I said I would think about it rang back later the person still tried it quoting me £25.01 and rubbished my intended new provider saying that if they (BT) upgraded the exchange the new provider would not be able to upgrade my speed. He then ,again tried to look at a new deal, but this time came up with £35.01! So still insisted on getting my MAC code!:target:

Part i have highlighted, as you know is a load of rubbish. It is also misrepresentation as other suppliers are in control of their own internet speeds - though the speeds are limited by the type of line to your house anyway.

[Inca]

Re: BT again!

Still reckon you should have a chat with Puff DT,,she's a font of info as she works in the 'industry'..plus she's a tenacious l'il fecker....she won't give up till she's exhausted all options...drop her a pm xxxxxxxxxx

[dogtired]

Re: BT again!

Yes I will, she was a great help last time!
I am also aware that BT are putting the prices up again in january, up to now they have again "hidden" this information.

[ostell]

Re: BT again!

Been away and just seen this thread. Yep, BT can be a pain at times , but then some of the other providers can be even worse. When I finished with one provider they sent me a cheque for a refund one day and the next day I received a demand for further payment.

You mentioned, in one post, that you did not have an ADSL filter. That could have contributed to your initial slow speed. The filter separates out the broadband and voice portions of the signal. Without the filter the phone can interfere with broadband and broadband with the phone. It sounds as though your Openreach guy fitted a combined filter and sockets. One socket for phone, the other for the connection to the router?

If you go to an unbundled provider, ie TalkTalk, then they have their own equipment in the exchange and so might not upgrade at the same time that BT upgrade their portion of the exchange, and could indeed mean that you are left behind, speed wise, for a while.

If it's a landline based provider then, whoever it is, they will be using the same bit of wire between you and the exchange and inherit the same problems.

The discussion about wireless was a bit of a red herring. If you you are not getting the speed over the broadband then, as you do not appear to have any neighbours, then channel changing won't normally help. You would normally see other routers around when you try a wireless connection scan again. The statement about channel 11 not being a good one seems strange, and ill founded, unless you have another piece of equipment causing the interference on that channel. At least you've found out how to change wireless channels!

The reason you can't see the results of a change immediately is because you have lost connection to the router when it has restarted itself after applying the change. You found the change had been made after the router started again and was stable.

Make sure you router is not close to TV's, microwaves, cordless phones or fluorescent lights. How good is your house telephone? I lose 2 Mb/s when I connect the house phone wiring. Must change that some time.

Try connecting your computer using the piece of ethernet cable that came with the router. See how fast your connection is with that. This will give you some indication on how efficient the wireless connection is. Try www.speedtest.net

Just keep plugging away at BT. They don't want to lose out to the competition.

Ever thought of satellite broadband?

[dogtired]

Re: BT again!

Thank you ostell, I have a combined adsl phone filter and when upgraded my speed did increase. I also have this tablet computer which does not have ethernet. My phone line comes in behind my TV and as stated is shared with the router
The person I spoke to did give me a figure of £25 initially then it changed to £34.01, when I asked why I was told that it was because I had "a poor payment history" sorry it was they that suddenly increased the DD, and I soon made up the short fall, no had enough and intend to move .
No fibre optic and have no wish to have Sky.

[ostell]

Re: BT again!

I wouldn't go Sky either. I moved from O2 when their broadband business was sold to Sky. I did move to BT as the lesser of several evils, also to get their TV service.

If your router is beside the TV then move it as far as possible away. I can't remember how many times I've had bad performance reported and found the router next to the TV, especially Virgin. Nothing, however, can really get over the problems associated with distance from the exchange.

Sky broadband is not via satellite, just over plain ordinary telephone lines. I meant broadband via satellite, another dish and router. Price can be high but look at, for instance, www.bentley-walker.com. Several companies are in the market and if your data requirements are not high then it could even be cheaper.

In the meantime keep hammering at BT until you get what you want. Try phoning BT sales in London, threatening to leave and see if you can get a better offer. I have managed to get new routers, and a cheaper rate, out of them when support in India wanted to charge for a replacement for a defective router.

[dogtired]

Re: BT again!

Have you got the phone number for London please?
When I called the person I spoke too had a very broad Liverpudlian accent ( sorry if you are from there!)

[labman]

Re: BT again!

Just sent you a pm DT! :beagle:

[ostell]

Re: BT again!

When I say London I mean UK rather than Calcutta. Sales is usually an 0800 number.

[dogtired]

Re: BT again!

Thank you Ostell, and Labman will try your suggestions. Wish me luck!

[dogtired]

Re: BT again!

Done some more digging, we are aware that BT are putting the prices up, presumably to pay for the "free" sport.
Not only are they putting line rental up they are sneeking in charges for what were free services such as caller display and 1571 every one is supposed to be getting either e mail or postal notice and you should be able to get out of any contract without penalty.Tempted even more to leave them but will need to do more reasearch on charges on ANY potential new provider.

[dogtired]

Re: BT again!

I phoned the options team today.
Operator seemed surprised that I was aware of the changes. Had a long conversation and she seemed vague about the changes and as I had already checked on BTs own site regarding this I asked her about the charge for caller display, she said, contrary to the web site that that would go on in January so in the end I would only save £5.
MAC code has also arrived (took five days, ) but is says 25 days, looks like they are counting the time it takes for them to send the thing to you!:flame:
Two possible choices Post Office or Tesco, anyone had any experience, good or bad?

[labman]

Re: BT again!

I've heard good things about the Post Office (haven't heard anything negative about Tesco to be fair, just heard nothing about them).

[dogtired]

Re: BT again!

Must admit, feel a bit "happier" with Post Office, looked at both and Tesco seem to lure you in with a very cheap deal but when you enter post code etc in the checker box it goes up about ten pounds,and works out about £2.00 more than Post Office. Ages ago I did have Tescos dial up which was ok. I suppose you pays your money etc!hone: