Anyone use TalkTalk for their phone and broadband?

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by TonyS

Currently with PlusNet and have good broadband speed and reliablility, so exchange should be ok.

But Plusnet resell space on BT DSLAMs (the ADSL equipment at the exchange) so they are 'just' an ISP. TalkTalk have their own DSLAMs in the exchange that your line will now be connected to (called Local Loop Unbundling or LLU for short) and this connects you directly into their backbone network. So you may see a change in data rates, even if your raw line speed stays the same. This is what I meant by how busy the excahnge is, it will depend on the number of TalkTalk customers.

Originally Posted by SAMMY650

Are you switching from another supplier or getting a new line installed?

Switching from BT for the phone and PlusNet for the broadband.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

But Plusnet resell space on BT DSLAMs (the ADSL equipment at the exchange) so they are 'just' an ISP. TalkTalk have their own DSLAMs in the exchange that your line will now be connected to (called Local Loop Unbundling or LLU for short) and this connects you directly into their backbone network. So you may see a change in data rates, even if your raw line speed stays the same. This is what I meant by how busy the excahnge is, it will depend on the number of TalkTalk customers.

Thanks. I was still assuming that TalkTalk were still using BT, didn't realise they'd expanded their own infrastructure to such an extent.

[Richie]

I'm with them on the option £3 package 8mb down load.
Phone and BB.
not had a problem with them.

just did the Speedtest.net thingy



I know Dan is with Sky, and his download and upload is faster than mine.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by TonyS

Thanks. I was still assuming that TalkTalk were still using BT, didn't realise they'd expanded their own infrastructure to such an extent.

You can double check the LLU providers at your exchange here http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php - that will tell you if you will be on TalkTalk's own equipment (LLU) or on BT with TalkTalk merely your ISP.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

You can double check the LLU providers at your exchange here http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php - that will tell you if you will be on TalkTalk's own equipment (LLU) or on BT with TalkTalk merely your ISP.

Thanks. Very informative link. Local exchange only 1km away and uses TalkTalk LLU.

I use Talk Talk for phone and broadband. I also get free evening and weekend UK calls and free international calls any time for less than £18. I have had no problems with their service whatsoever .

I had to get a new line which was £60 but far cheaper than any other service provider could offer.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by TonyS

Local exchange only 1km away

Good, so you may get good raw signal speeds from TalkTalk. However your phone line will be significantly longer than 1KM, especially in an urban environment where cables run underground. This is because the cables are run up and down streets, under bridges etc so the actual length can be 2 or 3 times the 'crow flies' distance. Rural areas fare better as the lines are strung from poles across the fields taking the direct route. The other thing that affects your raw speed is the quality of the line and that is pot-luck normally.

Raw speed I'm talking about here is the rate at which your modem/router synchronises with the exchange, this is the maximum data rate. If you do a speed test you often find that the 'tested speed' is significantly lower than the raw speed, because the equipment in the exchange or the backbone network from the exchange is too busy to give you your maximum possible speed. (or other nefarious reasons why your data rate has been reduced)

Thanks for your comments. Seems to be mostly positive so far.

Any others?

BT seem to want to charge me £75 to leave! Despite being outside my 12 month contract for the deal I was on, they seem to have renewed it for another whole year without asking me also renewing the penalty clause! Dirty barstewards. Their actions seem designed soley to make it difficult to change.

Originally Posted by TonyS

Thanks for your comments. Seems to be mostly positive so far.

Any others?

BT seem to want to charge me £75 to leave! Despite being outside my 12 month contract for the deal I was on, they seem to have renewed it for another whole year without asking me also renewing the penalty clause! Dirty barstewards. Their actions seem designed soley to make it difficult to change.

That is ludicrous!! I would ask to speak to their complaints department and ask them about the automatic renewal. I thought that if you were a BT customer contracted for 12 months then you could leave after this period without being penalised.

You could have a look here too.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumeradvice/

Originally Posted by foxyinleather

That is ludicrous!! I would ask to speak to their complaints department and ask them about the automatic renewal. I thought that if you were a BT customer contracted for 12 months then you could leave after this period without being penalised.

You could have a look here too.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumeradvice/

I thought that too. Was a bit of a surprise to get a letter demanding £75 to leave. Funny thing is, I was actually considering staying with them until this letter arrived, because of a couple of reports of bad service from TalkTalk. Now I'm simply fuming and would not even consider BT in future.

Thanks for the link.