GSM WORLD

Hi all.

My ex is moving into a new house and has the option to choose BT or NTL.

In the past there was a time when I would say go NTL because they were good
at undercutting BT.

However, in todays market with the pressure on BT to open up its lines so
that many companies are competitively fighting each other, I am inclined to
recommend BT to her.

The only area I believe that NTL is currently competitive in is broadband
where for the same uncapped bandwidth they offer free higher transfer rates
and also in some telephone services such as calling features and second
lines.

Is there anything in particular I should take into consideration when
comparing?

I dont think NTL are competitive on Sky packages anymore, but I could be
wrong.

AMO

NoSpam wrote in message
news:4130bf67$0$20248$cc9e4d1f@news-text.dial.pipex.com...
NTL is no longer competitive on most products. Telephone is more or less the
same price as BT and they sent material out a few days ago to confirm they
are matching the 5p per hour tariff that BT does as standard. Youll be
restricted on ISPs if you use NTL too and call through services.

NTL broadband is a good value product but youll find cheaper on BT. They
charge Ł24.99 for 750k but it does have a 1GB daily download limit which
should be more than enough for most people. Have to say that I found NTL
broadband to be excellent. Very little downtime and always high speeds but
it was let down by NTLs billing department over charging.

TV is over priced and not as good as Sky in terms of on screen planning and
navigation but I would say NTL wins on picture quality as you dont get bad
weather interference which I get all the time with Sky.

Gareth :-) voom wrote in message
news:10j1kid3626qf23@news20.forteinc.com...

Thanks for the reponse. Is it actually possible to get cable broadband from
NTL without their phone service? I.e. get a BT phone line, but use NTL for
broadband - as I understand it, cable broadband doesnt go along the phone
line like ADSL does - is this correct?


Yes, I figured that with the extra bandwidth you can get on NTL, she can
even afford to go for the 150K (now 300K) for Ł17.99 as in reality so long
as its above 250K, the line is plenty fast enough.


Yes, I thought so. I dont think shes going to go for a TV package anyway,
so thats not too much of a problem.

Thanx.

AMO

NoSpam wrote in message:


Yes, thats exactly what I did. I kept NTL broadband which comes down the
same line as the TV service and I got BT and Sky. You dont have to order a
telephone service to get NTL broadband.

Id have to say that when BT do make a fault they act apologetic; NTL seem
to make quite a lot of mistakes from level-to-level.

For instance, our cable was left on last time we got it disconnected, and
some other random guff, maybe down to an engineer not carrying out an order,
who knows.

Price-wise id say BT for now, shell have a BT line pre-installed in her
house, unless its a brand-new spanking house! So no new (dodgy!) wiring!

Broadband wise, well you can get broadband on its own from NTL, and i think
that currently its better than anything BT offer. Other companies, such as
plus-net, impose download limits of 1gb (per MONTH!) which is ok if ur just
browsing webpages with broadband, but then again do you REALLY need
broadband then?

Your pals usage requirements may mean BTs the best option, remember they
have a light user scheme, for instance! Cash-back!

You need to explain what shes after, BT seem to have better international
options, also, you could use another telecom through a BT line, its not
like that with NTL, unless with the discount-telecom you can dial an
0800/0500 number to then dial-through on-the-cheap.



Gareth :-) voom wrote in message
news:10j1kid3626qf23@news20.forteinc.com...

Yes, you can get broadband from NTL on its own. Thats what i do, and have a
BT line seperately.

ADSL means you have to log in everytime you start your computer, with NTLs
cable-modem service you dont ever need to a logging-in procedure. As long
as the modems on, then youre ready to go!

Theres offers such as free 60-day broadband trial available at the
moment. To start off, unless youre planning on downloading LOTS of guff,
then go for the 300k (formally 150k) package at Ł17.99 per month.

If you can still get it, get free installation. Saves a lot!

NTLs digital television, analogue television, and cable internet services
go through the one wire which enters your house; telephone is however the
same in some respects, that requires a seperate wire into your house, but
youd not notice that, the engineers set it up so it appears that the one
wire enters your house.

The upload speed on NTLs broadband is capped at 64k for 300k (download)
users, and the upload for 750k download-rating is 128k.

ADSL in comparison, is (UP TO!) 512k down, 256 up.

For easiness i feel NTLs maybe most appropriate, but do look about if
youre unsure!

NoSpam wrote in message
news:4130d78a$0$20247$cc9e4d1f@news-text.dial.pipex.com...

Dave wrote:


Not with an ASDL router you dont.

In message , Dave
writes

No it doesnt. An external ethernet riuter or modem acts in exactly the
same way as a cable modem.
--
Pete Devlin
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Give me a woman who loves beer and I will conquer the world.
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