New BT line to solve problem?

gingerjedi · Sep 10, 2010, 16:21:36

I don't want to leave IDNET but I see BT are offering a free line install with one of their BB packages, do you think I could get one installed even if I have an existing line? Talking to an ex BT mate and he says I'd be better off getting a new line and number and then cancelling the existing line.

This seems a less risky strategy than continuing to try and get them to fix their own line and getting charged for the privilege.

Do IDNET do anything similar?

Glenn · Sep 10, 2010, 16:33:31

IDNet charge £110 + VAT for a new line, I would think that is the charge BT would make to them for the work. Having a new line won't be from the exchange to your home, it may just be the 'spare' pair on the existing cable, connecting to a spare pair in the junction box to the exchange.

http://www.idnet.net/solutions/home/phone/

Rik · Sep 10, 2010, 16:36:48

Be wary, also, of any 18-month tie-in with BT.

gingerjedi · Sep 10, 2010, 17:33:48

Rik,

I'd be happy to be tied in for 36 months if anyone could guarantee a good connection!

My UL is nearly 3x my DL.

Rik · Sep 10, 2010, 17:37:14

I take your point. It's probably worth a try, but you'll only know when the line is live. (Don't forget there will be a BB activation charge of £47 on top.)

Glenn · Sep 10, 2010, 17:40:53

Do you still have noise on the line, as you reported to support in July?

gingerjedi · Sep 10, 2010, 17:47:21

Quote from: Glenn on Sep 10, 2010, 17:40:53
Do you still have noise on the line, as you reported to support in July?

Which July? This has been going on for years it's just that every now and then it annoys me enough to have a rant on here.

Yes same problem, it's an intermittent fault that always clears up the moment a BT van comes up the road.

Rik · Sep 10, 2010, 17:49:08

If it's any consolation, Ginger, I have a voice fault that always clears up every time they test the line.

gyruss · Sep 10, 2010, 23:18:32

interesting! i didn't know they had that offer.

Whats the procedure for requesting the migration code then from IDNET if i went for an offer like this and.. it worked out for me too?

I've had bt out to my 'fault', and frankly i'm sick of testing my line now, i've done everything internally at quite some cost and if there is ever an end of a tether to be reached, then i've sure reached mine.

Heck right now i'd even go for Virgin.

zappaDPJ · Sep 11, 2010, 00:40:22

The procedure for requesting a migration code is simply to ask IDNet for one.

As to whether this particular strategy would work for you is impossible to say. It's a gamble as it's highly unlikely you'll get a new cable laid. If there's capacity within the current infrastructure then you'll get another twisted pair on the same run which I believe is what Glenn was saying earlier in the thread. Whatever problems your current line is suffering may well be reflected in the second line plus you'll be locked into a contract.

Rik · Sep 11, 2010, 09:59:28

Quote from: gyruss on Sep 10, 2010, 23:18:32
Whats the procedure for requesting the migration code then from IDNET if i went for an offer like this and.. it worked out for me too?

You don't need a MAC, and indeed can't use one, if the ADSL is provided on a new line. You will, instead, have to pay the £47 activation fee, or tie yourself to an ISP who waives it in return for a 12-18 month contract.

gingerjedi · Sep 11, 2010, 12:39:20

Quote from: zappaDPJ on Sep 11, 2010, 00:40:22
The procedure for requesting a migration code is simply to ask IDNet for one.

As to whether this particular strategy would work for you is impossible to say. It's a gamble as it's highly unlikely you'll get a new cable laid. If there's capacity within the current infrastructure then you'll get another twisted pair on the same run which I believe is what Glenn was saying earlier in the thread. Whatever problems your current line is suffering may well be reflected in the second line plus you'll be locked into a contract.

So what would you suggest? People like me and Gyruss have exhausted every avenue and the current setup where one party provides the line and the other the service just doesn't work for us. All I get form IDNET is "It's BT's line, sorry" and all I get from BT is "The voice works so tough luck".

I have checked what speed my line should be able to handle and BT say 512k max, I have entered my neighbors numbers either side and they both show as 6 meg, I don't care if I get another twisted pair with another aluminium drop-link as long as it works better than this one!!

Sorry it's a rent but I blow a fuse when I see other posts complaining about silly things like only getting a DL of 14Mb/s when they would expect 16Mb/s... try living with my line for a few weeks or years as I've had to, try living in a world where Youtube or any site with streamed content is off limits, it's like living in 1995 again.

Glenn · Sep 11, 2010, 12:51:11

The only way to find out, is to have the line installed.

Rik · Sep 11, 2010, 13:08:27

What Glenn says is true, Ginger. None of us can tell you it will, or won't, improve things - with BT there are so many variables that we just can't know. If you think it's worth the spend, go for it, but be aware there's a risk it won't make things better.

Quote from: gingerjedi on Sep 11, 2010, 12:39:20
the current setup where one party provides the line and the other the service just doesn't work for us. All I get form IDNET is "It's BT's line, sorry" and all I get from BT is "The voice works so tough luck".

Unfortunately, BT make the rules, and their only obligation to you is to provide a 28.8k data service.

zappaDPJ · Sep 11, 2010, 19:34:14

Quote from: gingerjedi on Sep 11, 2010, 12:39:20
So what would you suggest?

There's not a lot to suggest other than the obvious really, in my case I moved house to get a decent connection and still ended up with problems. That may sound drastic but I'm 100% reliant on having the internet for my income let alone all the other things I use it for.

Possible options are;

Look to see if an an LLU provider is a possibility which is still a major gamble. I've tried it, it didn't work for me.

Get a cable connection if it's available.

Try AAISP if they are still offering to take on problematic lines. I do know people who have tried that route including one IDNet customer. AFAIK only one person saw an improvement but they were previously with Orange.

Keep your existing line and take a gamble on a second line. That's pretty much my situation, two lines, one of which is good and the other, very problematical. So it did work for me but I lied through my teeth in order to get the BT engineer up the pole and down a hole in order to avoid using a different pair on the same cable.

I wish I could be more helpful but we are all being dictated to by the state of the county's communication infrastructure and there's only so much an ISP can do to compensate for that. All I know for sure is that IDNet are by far the best ISP I've found and I've been though quite a few.