Home 2000 to Home Lite?

gingerjedi · Jul 02, 2008, 19:07:34

I'm on a fixed 2meg 'Home 2000' connection (£24.99) which is just about stable at the moment

but I really don't need the 30Gb download limit anymore so I'd like to go onto 'home lite' (£17.99) is this possible without switching to a ADSL MAX connection? I can't see my current package listed anymore?

£24.99 is a bit steep for such limited connection don't you think? Is it possible to keep IDNET email addresses (at a small fee) and use a cheaper ISP? I know this sounds a little blasphemous but I don't feel like I get a good deal anymore because I'm doomed to having a cr*ppy line that will only ever be any good for 2mb fixed yet others get MAX at full speed without trouble.... snot fair

Rik · Jul 02, 2008, 19:10:19

AFAIK, you can only move to Home Lite on a Max package, Ginger, but give IDNet a ring to check.

You can retain IDNet email addresses as IDMail, at £12pa, I think that's per address.

Sebby · Jul 02, 2008, 19:14:39

Quote from: gingerjedi on Jul 02, 2008, 19:07:34
I'm on a fixed 2meg 'Home 2000' connection (£24.99) which is just about stable at the moment but I really don't need the 30Gb download limit anymore so I'd like to go onto 'home lite' (£17.99) is this possible without switching to a ADSL MAX connection? I can't see my current package listed anymore?

£24.99 is a bit steep for such limited connection don't you think? Is it possible to keep IDNET email addresses (at a small fee) and use a cheaper ISP? I know this sounds a little blasphemous but I don't feel like I get a good deal anymore because I'm doomed to having a cr*ppy line that will only ever be any good for 2mb fixed yet others get MAX at full speed without trouble.... snot fair

When you say limited, do you mean the speed? It actually costs IDNet the same as max, if not more, I believe.

Simon · Jul 02, 2008, 19:15:25

The £24.99 you are paying is for the download allowance, not the speed, so I don't see that there would be a problem if you wanted to drop to a cheaper package, but you would need to talk to IDNet about it. I do believe it costs them more to provide a fixed rate, rather than MAX, so that may be why you are on the higher rate package.

gingerjedi · Jul 02, 2008, 19:33:01

Thanks guys, it may cost more but as a consumer I see no real world benefit other than my connection being a little more stable than it was with MAX, no wonder every ISP was so keen to get people onto MAX ASAP if its cheaper for them!!

Rik · Jul 02, 2008, 19:35:44

BT are also pushing them in that direction, Ginger, just as they will be towards WBC shortly.

Sebby · Jul 02, 2008, 21:00:07

Indeed. It's not just the ISPs that want everyone moved off of fixed-rate services.

gingerjedi · Jul 02, 2008, 22:46:08

But how can that be fair? I have a line that is so shoddy it won't work with ADSL MAX, I didn't choose a fixed rate to be awkward, am I to assume that in the near future I'll just lose my connection altogether??

Lance · Jul 02, 2008, 22:49:04

Unfortunately BT are under absolutely no obligation to provide broadband on a line.

gingerjedi · Jul 02, 2008, 23:02:16

I'm moving to France... 100meg for all, 'Vive la différence'!!

Where I live we have a massive piece of land that has been designated a business and science park, the trouble is 5 years on and no-one has moved in yet... now I know why.

We really are becoming the poor man of Europe.

vitriol · Jul 02, 2008, 23:10:13

the town where i live has only had BB for about 4 years or so.....before that numerous businesses were looking at the small industrial estate we have....they pulled out because we had no BB back then.

Now we have it and 7/10 units are filled, creating jobs in our community.

Rik · Jul 02, 2008, 23:36:02

Quote from: gingerjedi on Jul 02, 2008, 22:46:08
But how can that be fair? I have a line that is so shoddy it won't work with ADSL MAX, I didn't choose a fixed rate to be awkward, am I to assume that in the near future I'll just lose my connection altogether??

Because BT are not obliged to provide any broadband, and if they do, they are allowed to do it at a ridiculous speed and still call it BB.

Have you checked to see if anyone has unbundled your exchange (though, tbh, they would probably refuse you a connection based on your stats.)

Sebby · Jul 02, 2008, 23:37:17

Quote from: gingerjedi on Jul 02, 2008, 22:46:08
But how can that be fair? I have a line that is so shoddy it won't work with ADSL MAX, I didn't choose a fixed rate to be awkward, am I to assume that in the near future I'll just lose my connection altogether??

I'm not saying it's fair. In fact, it's not. BT's infrastructure is appalling, but they're not obliged to provide broadband. Unfortunately, for ISPs like IDNet, they are bound by BT's rules and regulations. The only other option is LLU, but I suspect this won't be suitable for you.

There are other ISPs that offer fixed-rate services still (a lot of them just don't want the hassle). For example, ADSL24 state that you can have any of the plans as fixed-rate or max. You might find something a bit more suited to you in terms of price there.

Dangerjunkie · Jul 03, 2008, 23:39:29

Hi,

Do you know how far you are from your exchange by road? If you go to http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php and enter your phone number then it should show you a map.

Which router do you have and do you have a filtered faceplate and a pro modem cable? These things may help you and make max work properly.

Cheers,
Paul.

doc_holiday · Jul 04, 2008, 07:35:16

Quote from: gingerjedi on Jul 02, 2008, 22:46:08
But how can that be fair? I have a line that is so shoddy it won't work with ADSL MAX, I didn't choose a fixed rate to be awkward, am I to assume that in the near future I'll just lose my connection altogether??

BT's priorities are driven by financial returns, rather than in providing a universal telephone service in England. This is one of the problems with rolling out fibre nationally as a universal service.

I'm not promoting this, but last time I checked, Entanet would allow you to set up classic 1mb and 2mb products with them by request for these specific situations. I would guess that IDNet will help you out in some way as well.

mark · Jul 04, 2008, 08:01:42

I have Home Lite. I have suffered a variation of speed between 1.9 mbs to under 300kbs over the past few weeks. IDNet put me on a 2mb fixed rate at no extra charge. They did this in 24 hours. It took about a week for the connection to settle but it has stabilised around 1.7mbs now.

I did consider changing to a cheaper ISP as there appeared to be no point in owning a Rolls Royce to drive around a farm track, but, let's be honest, no other ISP would have sorted things out so quickly.

The usual prompt and knowledgeable replies to emails from Andrew and Miriam and the problem sorted. This is why IDNet is so much better than the others.