Internet Provider.

[Caran]

How easy/hard is it to change suppliers? I am heartily sick of Talk Talk. We have not had proper Internet since Sunday. See my post Tuesday 21.47 for long sorry saga!
Bought a dongle to get on here, can receive emails but cannot send them.
Thinking of changing but do not know how to go about it.
We bought the dongle from vodaphone shop in Gloucester. Man there suggested we change to them, but I was naive enough to think TT would come through.
Still no new router yet.
Advantage of changing to vodaphone is there is a shop we could go to if any problems.
Daugher is suggesting we change to Sky. She thinks they are great.
Any advice from someone would be gratefully received.

[Tuvok]

Unless you are in a cabled area, all providers use BT's wiring from your house to the cabinet, then the cabinet to the exchange.

Some exchanges are local loop unbundled - ie. other companies have their equipment in the exchange.

As for changing supplier, you contact your current supplier and tell them you are leaving them, give me my mac code - then contact your new supplier, give them that code. They send you new router if required, they tell old supplier that on x date we're now the supplier for Caran.

[tonyav]

Have a look at this, Caran.
http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/guides/switch/

[Tuvok]

I should also have said, although the cabling is all BT, you may find that one supplier only offers you a certain speed, whereas another supplier will offer a better speed - we had about 5mb with BT, neighbours few doors away had 1.5 with Orange!

To see whats available at your exchange google

samknows and your exchange name

[hc4361]

I'm not sure you will be able to get any internet problems you have sorted out at the Vodaphone shop if you go with them. I suspect they are there to sell mobile phones and dongles - check if that is an important factor for you.

As for changing, it's relatively easy. Use a comparison site to find out who has the best deal for you, then go to that company's website to make sure they can provide you with what you need.

http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/

You will need to know:
the speed you will get
any data limits they have
how to contact customer service if you need to ie - do they charge for phone call
the overall price of the service

[Caran]

Thank you all. Some very good and helpful suggestions. We will look into all possibilities.

[gness]

Hi Caran.......I had to leave BT.......dreadful service and trying to speak to someone about the problem I had was nigh on impossible.....

Changed to Virgin.....they were worse! So bad they gave me compensation for the awful two weeks I was with them....well they had lied to me from the outset....... ☺

Moved to Plusnet about three months ago......fantastic service and aftercare......can't fault them at all......x

[Ann]

Caran ...... sick and tired of Talktalk? You and me both! I have spent hours on the phone to this pathetic company since November as their service is abysmal. ...... But aren't you, like me, tied into a contract with them? i am tied in until next February and would have to pay a lot to leave before then end of the contract plus the fact (as my husband has just pointed out) if you have one of their "free" Youview TV boxes, if you leave they will demand it back and you will lose all the TV programmes you have recorded and perhaps not had time to watch yet (i have loads!) So is it worth leaving? I may just have to grit my teeth and bear it ..

[Caran]

I don't know if I'm in a contract. Maybe I set up a newoneone Monday. Do you have a cooling off period. Second to box arrived today. Would they collect or would I be liable for postage?

[Caran]

Tv box not to box.

[Ann]

Best to ring TT Caran they will be able to tell you if you are signed up to a contract (I bet you are) Choose a day when you have plenty of time as phone calls to them are never less than 45 mins in my experience!!