Zen to increase bandwidth allowances

Tacitus · May 13, 2008, 19:10:56

Just noticed over on TBB, that Zen are to increase their allowances. 2Gb goes to 5gb/month and the 20Gb package goes to 25Gb/month.

Very similar to iDNet. I wonder if Simon and Tim will come up with a response when they have digested the new wholesale prices.

Rik · May 13, 2008, 19:11:42

I'm sure they'll be studying them...

Sebby · May 13, 2008, 19:13:31

Interesting. I always thought Zen's allowances were on the low side, so it's a positive move I think.

Lance · May 13, 2008, 19:37:50

I'd be surprised to see any change on IDNet prior to the new ADSL2 products being annouced - but I might be proved wrong!

Rik · May 13, 2008, 19:48:32

That's my sense too, Lance. The whole market is up for change right now, it makes sense to deal with it as an entity.

Lona · May 13, 2008, 23:01:12

Did Zen do that just to annoy me.

I only moved here as I kept going over my limit.

I have to admit Zen are one of the really best ISPs I've ever been with.

Simon · May 13, 2008, 23:22:25

You've still got a higher allowance here than with Zen though, Lona.

Lona · May 13, 2008, 23:24:50

Quote from: Simon on May 13, 2008, 23:22:25
You've still got a higher allowance here than with Zen though, Lona.

I appreciate that Simon, but now I have Rik keeping me from my gardening with all these quizes.

Sebby · May 13, 2008, 23:29:37

madasahatter · May 14, 2008, 00:16:31

Quote from: Lona on May 13, 2008, 23:24:50
I appreciate that Simon, but now I have Rik keeping me from my gardening with all these quizes.

He often keeps me away from my chores on a weekend too Lona - that man has a lot to answer for

Lona · May 14, 2008, 01:32:28

Quote from: madasahatter on May 14, 2008, 00:16:31
He often keeps me away from my chores on a weekend too Lona - that man has a lot to answer for

Yep, I think we should tell him to put on his blue suede shoes and go walk the blues.

Rik · May 14, 2008, 08:25:25

You'll be pleased to hear that I have a small design project to do today, so I won't be around as much as normal.

Tacitus · May 14, 2008, 08:32:46

Quote from: Lance on May 13, 2008, 19:37:50
I'd be surprised to see any change on IDNet prior to the new ADSL2 products being announced ......

When's that likely to be?

Rik · May 14, 2008, 08:33:26

You'd have to ask them, Tac, but my guess is the autumn.

Tacitus · May 14, 2008, 08:37:05

Quote from: Rik on May 14, 2008, 08:33:26
You'd have to ask them, Tac, but my guess is the autumn.

My current 12 months with Demon runs out late autumn so it would be worth waiting to see what's on offer. OTOH I doubt ADSL2 is likely to be much advantage to me being on a poor line.

Slight excursion. I've tried the MW radio trick and if I move it near to the router I get a lot of noise. Is this normal?

Rik · May 14, 2008, 08:42:07

Quote from: Tacitus on May 14, 2008, 08:37:05
OTOH I doubt ADSL2 is likely to be much advantage to me being on a poor line.

Me neither, I'm at that point on the graph where the two lines converge.

QuoteSlight excursion. I've tried the MW radio trick and if I move it near to the router I get a lot of noise. Is this normal?

It's not uncommon, but it would be worth trying another router if you can borrow one, to see whether it improves matters.

Lance · May 14, 2008, 08:51:52

I wonder if it is the router trying to filter out some of the noise?

Sebby · May 14, 2008, 08:58:27

Routers do tend to be noisy, so it's probably nothing to be concerned about.

Tacitus · May 14, 2008, 12:14:38

Quote from: Rik on May 14, 2008, 08:42:07
It's not uncommon, but it would be worth trying another router if you can borrow one, to see whether it improves matters.

Thanks for the tip. The only other working one I have is a Draytek which I abandoned as it was rubbish on a poor line. Still I'll give it a try.

Since my main socket is up in the roof - I live in a bungalow - I might try having a modem up in the roof and a separate firewall downstairs. It means some more wiring but that shouldn't be a problem. For my purposes - I'd probably be called a SOHO user - the separate firewalls have a higher than necessary complexity. Since they're aimed at the SME market this is no surprise, but it's probably overkill nonetheless.

OTOH if it gives me a better connection perhaps it's worth it. The modem should be well away from interference and any wiring will be Cat5.

Trouble is keep trying this and that, you end up with a shed full of routers, an empty wallet and probably not much further forward with the broadband. If only BT would get off their collective a...e and redo the cables through the village it would make a huge difference.

Rik · May 14, 2008, 12:16:06

If you're anywhere near me, I can lend you one.

BT cables I can't help with.

Tacitus · May 14, 2008, 12:41:41

Quote from: Rik on May 14, 2008, 12:16:06
If you're anywhere near me, I can lend you one.

BT cables I can't help with.

Thanks for the offer Rik, but I'm about 100 miles north of you - assuming you're in/near MK.

Rik · May 14, 2008, 12:42:43

I'm in MK, right in it.

I could post one to you, but that wouldn't be until Friday, as Sue is away till then...

Tacitus · May 14, 2008, 12:52:12

Quote from: Rik on May 14, 2008, 12:42:43
I'm in MK, right in it. I could post one to you, but that wouldn't be until Friday, as Sue is away till then...

Thanks Rik. I'll give my nephew a ring as I think he might have a spare d-Link knocking around. He's only about 10 miles away.

Thanks for the offer though - it's very kind of you

OT. I keep meaning to go and see Bletchley Park - the code breaking place, and might actually get there this summer. Is it far from MK?

Rik · May 14, 2008, 12:56:33

No, it's within the conurbation, just about, at the south-west end. We're at the NW, about 15 minutes away.

Tacitus · May 14, 2008, 12:58:01

Quote from: Rik on May 14, 2008, 12:56:33
No, it's within the conurbation, just about, at the south-west end. We're at the NW, about 15 minutes away.

Thanks Rik - doesn't sound as far away as I thought.

Rik · May 14, 2008, 13:03:00

The way we drive round here, nowhere is.

Dont mention Talk Talk !! · May 17, 2008, 19:53:43

to be honest, I just wish IDNet offerred a 15GB package, that would suit me just fine.

James

Rik · May 17, 2008, 19:55:31

How would you price that, though, James?

Dont mention Talk Talk !! · May 17, 2008, 20:18:47

Quote from: Rik on May 17, 2008, 19:55:31
How would you price that, though, James?

£16.99 per month rik.

James

Simon · May 17, 2008, 21:23:43

So, you want them to upgrade the current £17.99 per month package by 10Gb, and reduce the price, James? Hmm... the words

spring to mind.

MoHux · May 17, 2008, 21:53:12

Vote ............. James for President!!

Mo

madasahatter · May 17, 2008, 22:25:42

Quote from: Simon on May 17, 2008, 21:23:43
So, you want them to upgrade the current £17.99 per month package by 10Gb, and reduce the price, James? Hmm... the words spring to mind.

spoilsport

Dont mention Talk Talk !! · May 17, 2008, 23:21:54

Quote from: Simon on May 17, 2008, 21:23:43
So, you want them to upgrade the current £17.99 per month package by 10Gb, and reduce the price, James? Hmm... the words spring to mind.

personally, i think 5GB package for £17.99 is unforgiving to loyal customers, thats just my view. a 15GB package at that price would, im sure, be seen as a very attractive offerring from idnet and it certainly accomodates the middle ground downloader.

if it were my call, id suggest idnet should offer products within the following confines

5GB.................Light User
15GB...............Moderate User
30GB...............Heavy User
50GB...............Max User

Covers all the bases and ticks all the boxes. With appropriate pricing.................why not ?

What do you think guys ?

James

Sebby · May 18, 2008, 00:11:59

I wouldn't say 30GB is a heavy user, James, but I do take your point about the allowance on the £17.99 package. I think a 15GB allowance and reducing the price is unrealistic, but I do think it would be a more attractive deal if the allowance was, say, 10GB.

But it's important to look at other factors apart from just allowance. Uploads aren't included, speeds are consistent (BT issues aside), the allowance can be used on- or off-peak... there aren't many other ISPs you could say that for. It's really another case of you get what you pay for, but as I mentioned above, I do think your point about the allowance on Home Lite is understandable.

Rik · May 18, 2008, 10:33:05

I'm sure IDNet could do the package James suggests. In order to finance it, though, support would have to move offshore, and the freebies would probably become extras at a cost. They'd also need to make better use of their centrals, so congestion would start to become an issue at peak times.

Sebby · May 18, 2008, 10:36:42

Absolutely, Rik, which is precisely what I mean when I say it's not all about allowance.

Rik · May 18, 2008, 10:37:55

Yup. Typically, an IDNet customer is looking to buy quality, not quantity.

Sebby · May 18, 2008, 10:42:02

Exactly. The first time I saw IDNet's prices, I never would have thought I'd one day be a customer, but then the penny drops.

Simon · May 18, 2008, 10:58:22

As Sebby said, we get what we pay for with IDNet, which is a reliable, fast, internet connection, scaled on a business footing sustainable to the company. Lest we forget, they are here to run a business and make a profit, and we all choose to come here, because we know that the service and support we receive is second to none.

My view is that if the allowances or price structure of IDNet don't suit, then there are plenty of other ISPs to look at, and we really can't expect IDNet to change to whatever suits us. That said, I can see an argument for a 'middle ground' package, of say, a 10Gb allowance for £20.99 per month, but to expect a significantly higher allowance for less money, is plainly unrealistic.