I really don't want to jump ship but please look at your Caps

[ukwiz]

Pedants unite! 

David

[Simon_idnet]

Hi All

We will be anouncing new packages when our new website is launched. The design is finalised and now we are working on the copy and then the pages can be built. We expect to launch the new site next month.

Regards
Simon

[kerrso05]

Hi All

We will be anouncing new packages when our new website is launched. The design is finalised and now we are working on the copy and then the pages can be built. We expect to launch the new site next month.

Regards
Simon

Simon

Thanks for the update....I take it when you say next month that is September 2012 which begins on Saturday?....surely you don't mean October?
Some of us have been waiting for such announcement for quite some time and are glad it is coming.....in my opinion it couldn't happen fast enough....lets hope I'm not disappointed.

[Lance]

September 2012 which is Saturday?

Unless I'm mistaken, there are 30 days in September 

[zappaDPJ]

Thanks for the update Simon.

[mervl]

Of course I hope the new packages will be helpful to those that need them, but heck, new website - so my lazy [insecure, I know] autologins won't work anymore and I'll probably be exiled for ever (to cheers!) 

[Simon]

As long as the URL doesn't change, which I doubt it will, auto logins will still work, I would have thought. 

[pctech]

Hope they don't use Flash.

[Gary]

Hope they don't use Flash.

[john]

I've recently bought some Ethernet extenders which enables me to connect my TV to the internet and I've been using it to view the BBC iPlayer, and YouTube etc. Consequently I went over my download limit by quite a bit last month and have just had notification from Idnet that I'm on course to do so again this month too. As I'll probably be viewing the iPlayer more often in the future I cannot justify the cost of my present package (Home Plus) with its download limit of 15Gb at Peak time. I'm therefore interested in any increase in download limits as I don't really want to have to view after midnight because I have to be up at about 6:00am for work.

It's not just the iPlayer etc but the rest of the family are also increasing their internet use too and I'd have to compare what others are offering for similar charges. I appreciate that the quality of service is good but I have friends who are with BT and Virgin and despite their reputation here they are very happy with their service (mind you I have friends who are with Sky and they say they are unable to watch any videos on their PC as it stops after a few seconds).

I also appreciate that Idnet's customer service is good but apart from when I first joined, enquired about a friend joining and a problem with logging in to the customer portal once I've never needed to contact them (although you could argue that the because the service is so good there's rarely a need to anyway).

[Simon]

Personally, I've only ever watched one full programme on iPlayer, as I record everything I want to watch on my PVR, planning from the weekly TV guides, so my broadband usage hasn't really changed.

People's viewing habits and bandwidth usage are obviously changing, though, and hopefully IDNet's new packages, when announced, will reflect this to some extent, without compromising on quality of service.     

[Rik]

Aka, walking a fine line.

[pctech]

Yep. running an ISP must be a nightmare these days.

[andrue]

Yep. running an ISP must be a nightmare these days.

I'm not sure it was ever a piece of cake but it must be hell now. Crazy low residential prices. Crazy high residential demand for bandwidth (jitter free if at all possible). Major, major infrastructure investment required. Regulator insistent on encouraging diversity and competition. Copyright and parental controls issues raised by government.

I don't envy ISPs one bit 

[Gary]

Personally, I've only ever watched one full programme on iPlayer, as I record everything I want to watch on my PVR, planning from the weekly TV guides, so my broadband usage hasn't really changed.

People's viewing habits and bandwidth usage are obviously changing, though, and hopefully IDNet's new packages, when announced, will reflect this to some extent, without compromising on quality of service.     

Having iPlayer on the TV along with Twitter, Facebook and Skype (video) and on demand services like  love film, Netflix, the Sony entertainment network 4OD etc then the fact its a web browser, let alone the things the blu-ray player does as well along with two smartphones, a playstation3 and Sky on demand and then the iMac plus all the updates I burn happily 70GB-80GB a month peak.  As others have said sitting up after midnight to watch films is not something I want to do, its a difficult time when smart TV's and other gadgets are being pushed into homes so quickly now.

[andrue]

Personally, I've only ever watched one full programme on iPlayer, as I record everything I want to watch on my PVR, planning from the weekly TV guides, so my broadband usage hasn't really changed.

Almost the same here. I think in the last twelve months I've twice had to resort to iPlayer or itvPlayer but that was because my Sky PVR suffered a disk failure. It's not like it takes long to just browse the EPG for a day or so ahead and Series Link ensures nothing is ever forgotten. Working with only two tuners sometimes requires ingenuity but our strategy now is to record an early morning repeat in preference to a prime-time showing and so far that's helping spread the load.

In fact I'd say the lack of series link for things like iPlayer is a major drawback. We watch so many series (5 or 6 hours of TV most nights  ) that keeping track of series is nigh-on impossible. With most internet players only keeping programmes for 7 days it would be too easy for us to miss something. Oh and although a couple of our boxes support more than one player it'd be a pain to have to switch between them. At least normally we only have to look at our Sky box and occasionally check the 'overflow' Humax HDR.

[Lance]

I think on Iplayer you can mark programmes as favourites and it will then download, if you wish, automatically all others in the series from that point on.

[Tacitus]

....... Crazy low residential prices. Crazy high residential demand for bandwidth ............
I don't envy ISPs one bit 

I agree and don't think there is much point in the smaller ISPs trying to compete in the residential/consumer market.  This market is exceptionally price sensitive and customer service is really regarded as optional.  Those of us on here are prepared to pay for what iDNet has to offer: good service, no throttling and low levels of network congestion.  Nonetheless we are very much in a minority.

Much better for the smaller ISP to concentrate on B2B where high levels of service and technical expertise are what is needed.  Price is less of a consideration in this market.  If they gain subscribers in the consumer space then that is icing on the cake, but it wouldn't then be their primary focus.

Demand for bandwidth and the opportunities for bundling are always going to favour the larger suppliers.

[kerrso05]

Honestly Guys I don't mean to be harsh but some people writing here appear to be saying "I feel sorry for Idnet...it's not their fault that they have low caps....it's someone else's fault".

Hold it, Hold It.....They are a Business....they aren't a Charity....they are in this business to make MONEY....you know that evil thing that makes the world go round. Fact: if they weren't making money they wouldn't be in this business. Yes it is hard to compete against the big players like BT, Sky etc but they do have to compete and the way to do it is offer a Customer Service second to none (which they do already) give value for money and have reasonable caps (which they don't have....and I hope they address soon....but the way things are going it looks like next month OCTOBER.....which I suppose is... after the Olympics)

Honestly I think we have exhausted this topic beyond it's worth.....I don't know about anyone else, but I want to see some action.

I know it probably seems I have my Grumpy Head  on today but I think my patience is wearing thin.....and hearing the feeble excuses of why they don't do anything has really taken me over the edge 

[Simon]

Harry, they've said they're reviewing the packages, and will make an announcement during this month.  All we've been discussing is how different people have different usage requirements, and that it must be difficult for ISPs to keep everyone happy.  I don't see any harm in that. 

[pctech]

There is unfortunately a trade off between customer service and bandwidth.

In the vast majority of cases those offering oodles of bandwidth often spend little on support and that is just fine when all is going well.

The true test of whether an ISP is any good is when stuff breaks, do the front line staff have the knowledge to properly diagnose the issue and give appropriate advice or set third parties such as BT in motion to affect a fix or is it script based and the priority is to palm you off with anything just to get onto the next caller?

I think you'll find the big ISPs with oodles of bandwidth take the latter approach while the likes of IDNet take the former.

[kerrso05]

Harry, they've said they're reviewing the packages, and will make an announcement during this month.  All we've been discussing is how different people have different usage requirements, and that it must be difficult for ISPs to keep everyone happy.  I don't see any harm in that. 

Simon

When did I start this thread?

May 30, 2012, 20:49:17

and this is now when?

September 07, 2012, 21:47

I think that says it all, do you not?

Don't get me wrong.....I think that "Idnet are the Best Internet Provider in the UK........if not the world" but that doesn't make me want to religiously hang on their every word like as if it was from the Almighty. They are business people trying to make an honest buck. I can feel empathy with them and think that they are getting it rough in this economic climate.....but then again who isn't? Their business is ruled and shaped by competition and at the moment and even back in May of this year when I posed the question " I really don't want to jump ship but please look at these caps" they were loosing out to the competition.
I accept your point "they've said they're reviewing the packages"....I accept that totally but come on how long does it take? IMHO it is taking far too long.

I think I am a grumpy old idnetter.....who is loosing it 

[Lance]

As you say, they are in the business of making money. Therefore they will undoubtably be compiling a number of scenarios predicting all the factors starting with the do nothing option right through to give everyone loads of bandwidth at a lower cost. Hopefully the most advantageous business model is one that encourages growth through an increase in caps at the current price and it seems this is the assumption made by people on here. Working through these models take time, and just because a customer requested a review in May it doesn't mean it will be done immediately.

Simon was very clear a decision would be made this month and therefore I don't think anybody is in the position to moan that a week into the month nothing gas yet been communicated. As I said before, September has 30 days.

[psp83]

When I read Simon_idnet post I get the impression that any package review has been done already and they have the new packages thought up already and they will be announced when the new site goes live this month.

Which is fair, and to be honest it's not long to wait.

And yes I'm hoping for a good bandwidth increase at good prices! 

But if the packages don't suit me then my contract is up in around 3-4 months & I will just go with BT option 2 as I don't do much ping sensitive stuff anymore (game playing) & the BT care twitter staff seems to get things done if you tweet them.

One thing that does put me off though, is that I've heard FTTC to FTTC migrations cost £100 

[ukwiz]

One thing that does put me off though, is that I've heard FTTC to FTTC migrations cost £100 

Well, if it does, then Ofcom are not doing a very good job.

Oh, wait, Ofcom already do a lousy job