broadband with NTL cable

[Smike]

Hello again.

Is there any company other than AOL or NTL offering broadband service with an NTL cable?

We currently use AOL but my dad is slowly having his eyes opened as to why it's not very good, and (apparently) the NTL service is reputed to be pretty bad.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[iain]

I've had NTL for about 18 months and been quite happy with them. Service isn't great, but it isn't terrible either and it's got better.

 

[Rat]

I have heard mixed reports about NTL as far as quality goes. As far as customer service goes, I have heard only bad. And I don't mean indifferent; I mean actively bad. If I pay for a service, and that service is not provided, I don't expect a long time on hold when I ring. My provider will explain the problem if the ADSL goes down (two brief periods in two years) and ring me back when it comes back on.

A colleague at work had the NTL sales people forge an application from him, including his signature. When we have tried to set up NTL broadband for people at home, we specified at every stage, at every contact, that it was necessary, not optional, that we could connect up two machines. We were assured it would be so. When it became apparent upon connection that this would not be possible, they confirmed that it was not, and denied that anyone had said otherwise (yes we possibly should have got it in writing, but you expect better).

I know this doesn't answer your question, but do think hard before going with NTL if that's all there seems to be.

Cheers,
Rat.

 

[iain]

Guess I've just been lucky.

 

[asthmatic camel]

I use NTL and have found their broadband service very reliable, if a little over-priced. On the other hand, when I did have a problem with my connection, it would have been resolved faster had I walked to their headquarters with an hand-written letter.

I'm a rank amateur when it comes to computers but, it soon became quite clear that my level of knowledge exceeded that of most staff at the NTL "customer service" call centre. After I'd had the patience to listen to the annoying "you are currently being held in a queue blah blah" message for an hour or two, I was advised to follow the NTL troubleshooting guide that I'd been sent with the installation software. I had already done this and attempted to explain this to the moron on the other end of the phone line.

"Mr. Camel, I'm sure that if you try again, your connection will be fine." says she, and hangs up. I wasn't even given the opportunity to mention the fact that our cable TV service had ceased to operate at the same time and that I had a strong suspision (subsequently proven to be correct) that it was the NTL equipment that was at fault.

Rant over.

NTL broadband service 8/10
NTL customer service 0/10

If there is an equivalent service that is reliable, can save me a few quid and can use the NTL network, I'd be glad to know where to find it.

 

[Rat]

I'd also be glad to hear of a service that operates over the NTL lines. Unfortunately, I'd also be surprised. I believe BT only allow DSL over their lines because it's required by law since their privatisation, along with their lines.

That said, it's not that expensive to get a BT lines put in most properties. You can then go on the low-usage plan to pay a low monthly rental for the line. The calls would cost, but you can still use NTL for the phone. Just a thought.

Cheers,
Rat.

 

[asthmatic camel]

I'd also be glad to hear of a service that operates over the NTL lines. Unfortunately, I'd also be surprised. I believe BT only allow DSL over their lines because it's required by law since their privatisation, along with their lines.

That said, it's not that expensive to get a BT lines put in most properties. You can then go on the low-usage plan to pay a low monthly rental for the line. The calls would cost, but you can still use NTL for the phone. Just a thought.

Cheers,
Rat.

To be fair, it'll be a cold day in Hell before I use a BT service again. In fact, I ripped their line off the wall and threw it in the skip when I was repointing the front of the house. One of those "Aaah, this is better than sex and beer" moments.