BT Broadband

[Spudulike]

I've been using BT as my broadband provider for a couple of years now after previously using Talktalk and Sky (not impressed with either). BT has been ok other than a few really annoying drop out problems from time to time (missing Vardy's goal against Liverpool) so agreed a new 24 month contract. 

 

I'm being upgraded to Halo3 apparently which, as far as I understand, is fibre to the cabinet up the road but uses the existing copper connection to the house. It's guaranteed 100mbps and claims to be 146mbps. For some reason an Open reach engineer has to attend to install it in my house. No idea why and I couldn't get a coherant explanation from the operator. Anyone else had this?

 

My current router is connected via an extension lead (not recommended but works OK) as the master socket was put in the kitchen before broadband was even a thing. It was only for a land-line connection so really needs to be moved as I'm not sure if this new service will work well (or at all). Apparently it costs £150 to get it moved by Open reach. 

 

Does anyone else have experience of Halo3? 

[davieG]

11 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

I've been using BT as my broadband provider for a couple of years now after previously using Talktalk and Sky (not impressed with either). BT has been ok other than a few really annoying drop out problems from time to time (missing Vardy's goal against Liverpool) so agreed a new 24 month contract. 

 

I'm being upgraded to Halo3 apparently which, as far as I understand, is fibre to the cabinet up the road but uses the existing copper connection to the house. It's guaranteed 100mbps and claims to be 146mbps. For some reason an Open reach engineer has to attend to install it in my house. No idea why and I couldn't get a coherant explanation from the operator. Anyone else had this?

 

My current router is connected via an extension lead (not recommended but works OK) as the master socket was put in the kitchen before broadband was even a thing. It was only for a land-line connection so really needs to be moved as I'm not sure if this new service will work well (or at all). Apparently it costs £150 to get it moved by Open reach. 

 

Does anyone else have experience of Halo3? 

Not sure about Halo3 but have had Virgin, BT and Sky all Fibre and I've found no difference in their reliability or their ability to provide a consistent high speed link.

 

I've currently got Sky again and it's frustrating the hell out of me but then so did the others before.

 

Oh and I tried to get the master socket moved and was also given that price, fortunately I happened to move house not long after so didn't bother.  I think you can get it done privately though

 

 

[Ashley]

I'm with Virgin Media and they're shit hot. Think I've had an issue once with broadband and that was after a upgrade. Nothing a power cycle didn't fix. Average about 430mpbs. Highest I've hit is 600mpbs.

 

Wireless on xbox hits higher but it is wired..... would recommend changing tbh.

 

Surely you'd be able to cover the docket up for cheaper

[bmt]

 

6 minutes ago, Ashley said:

I'm with Virgin Media and they're shit hot. Think I've had an issue once with broadband and that was after a upgrade. Nothing a power cycle didn't fix. Average about 430mpbs. Highest I've hit is 600mpbs.

 

Wireless on xbox hits higher but it is wired..... would recommend changing tbh.

 

Surely you'd be able to cover the docket up for cheaper

Also with Virgin and apart from when they had some maintenance they didn't warn us about where it kept dropping out for a couple of weeks, its very, very quick.

[AyewJoking]

Only ever had virgin and the connection has dropped maybe 10 times in the last 7 years so pretty good.

 

As for moving the master socket, £150 isn't that bad considering broadband is fairly essential and will cost more than that over a year anyway.

[Innovindil]

5 hours ago, Spudulike said:

I've been using BT as my broadband provider for a couple of years now after previously using Talktalk and Sky (not impressed with either). BT has been ok other than a few really annoying drop out problems from time to time (missing Vardy's goal against Liverpool) so agreed a new 24 month contract. 

 

I'm being upgraded to Halo3 apparently which, as far as I understand, is fibre to the cabinet up the road but uses the existing copper connection to the house. It's guaranteed 100mbps and claims to be 146mbps. For some reason an Open reach engineer has to attend to install it in my house. No idea why and I couldn't get a coherant explanation from the operator. Anyone else had this?

 

My current router is connected via an extension lead (not recommended but works OK) as the master socket was put in the kitchen before broadband was even a thing. It was only for a land-line connection so really needs to be moved as I'm not sure if this new service will work well (or at all). Apparently it costs £150 to get it moved by Open reach. 

 

Does anyone else have experience of Halo3? 

I had BT originally in my house some 3 odd years ago now, they moved my line from the kitcen to an upstairs bedroom and I didn't have to pay anything. Potentially existing customers have to pay to have it moved?

[Spudulike]

2 minutes ago, Innovindil said:

I had BT originally in my house some 3 odd years ago now, they moved my line from the kitcen to an upstairs bedroom and I didn't have to pay anything. Potentially existing customers have to pay to have it moved?

Seems to be so. I think that I should've negotiated knocking off the moving master socket fee before agreeing to start the Halo3 contract. Schoolboy error. 

[Innovindil]

Just now, Spudulike said:

Seems to be so. I think that I should've negotiated knocking off the moving master socket fee before agreeing to start the Halo3 contract. Schoolboy error. 

You really should have, only took the guy at my house about 20 minutes to move it. £150 is steep as hell. 

[Strokes]

Moving the master socket is a piece of piss, it’s only 2 wires.

Disconnect the old one and take a photo of the connections. Pull the cable out of the external wall and fit an IP rated box, run a new cable externally from IP box to new position and drill through.

Fit master socket as it was in the new position. Join the same colours through in the IP box and it’s done.

It’d cost about £25 tops and take an hour maximum.

[Spudulike]

1 hour ago, Strokes said:

Moving the master socket is a piece of piss, it’s only 2 wires.

Disconnect the old one and take a photo of the connections. Pull the cable out of the external wall and fit an IP rated box, run a new cable externally from IP box to new position and drill through.

Fit master socket as it was in the new position. Join the same colours through in the IP box and it’s done.

It’d cost about £25 tops and take an hour maximum.

Thanks but I'm not sure that I want to risk it. Both the Mrs and me are working from home and no broadband will be a disaster. I have been known to cock-up DIY projects before. 

 

I'm intending to connect the new router onto the existing extension lead in the back bedroom and if it doesn't work correctly then ask the engineer to move the master socket without charge. If he won't then I'll threaten to trigger the cooling off period and cancel. I'm sure that BT won't want me to do that. 

[Ecdysiast]

BT are the Devil's agents on Earth and should be avoided at all costs and in all circumstances. 

[Mike Oxlong]

2 hours ago, Strokes said:

Moving the master socket is a piece of piss, it’s only 2 wires.

Disconnect the old one and take a photo of the connections. Pull the cable out of the external wall and fit an IP rated box, run a new cable externally from IP box to new position and drill through.

Fit master socket as it was in the new position. Join the same colours through in the IP box and it’s done.

It’d cost about £25 tops and take an hour maximum.

This might as well be written in Chinese for the sense it makes to me but handy I’m not 

[Legend_in_blue]

My understanding of Halo 3 is that you just end up with 24/7 access to tech experts on top of the usual stuff you get without that included.

 

BT are expensive, it's pointless doing a price comparison because they will come out expensive, but in my view you pay for the reliability and on that front, they are excellent.  Certainly better than Virgin and Sky who various neighbours have tried but who have ended up going back to BT.  As for the TV, it's cheap, not as good as Sky, but anything missed out on there can be topped up via streaming services. 

 

[Strokes]

9 minutes ago, Mike Oxlong said:

This might as well be written in Chinese for the sense it makes to me but handy I’m not 

移動主插座是一件小事，只有2根電線。
 斷開舊的連接並拍照。 將電纜從外牆上拉出並安裝IP防護盒，從IP盒外部將新電纜鋪設到新位置，然後進行鑽穿。
 安裝主插座，使其位於新位置。 在IP框中加入相同的顏色，然後完成。
 費用約為25英鎊，最多需要一個小時。

[fox_favourite]

9 hours ago, Spudulike said:

I've been using BT as my broadband provider for a couple of years now after previously using Talktalk and Sky (not impressed with either). BT has been ok other than a few really annoying drop out problems from time to time (missing Vardy's goal against Liverpool) so agreed a new 24 month contract. 

 

I'm being upgraded to Halo3 apparently which, as far as I understand, is fibre to the cabinet up the road but uses the existing copper connection to the house. It's guaranteed 100mbps and claims to be 146mbps. For some reason an Open reach engineer has to attend to install it in my house. No idea why and I couldn't get a coherant explanation from the operator. Anyone else had this?

 

My current router is connected via an extension lead (not recommended but works OK) as the master socket was put in the kitchen before broadband was even a thing. It was only for a land-line connection so really needs to be moved as I'm not sure if this new service will work well (or at all). Apparently it costs £150 to get it moved by Open reach. 

 

Does anyone else have experience of Halo3? 

Halo is the plan, the connection is part of it. The reliability will be dependent on your location. I’ve been with BT for years and was, like most, working from home during the first and second lockdown and have to say that I didn’t experience any major outages or issues. Minor blip here or there, but nothing too drastic. I’ve had sky, ee and plus net in the past and all have had issue. I supported users at home across (teachers) in IT and we found BT to give the least amount of issues. Their new smart hub is very good. Virgin, TalkTalk, Sky and EE being the worst offenders for reliability/issues. 
 

As for FTTC, I’m surprised you can get 100mps (impressive), but again that might just be down to the exchange. I can only get up to 60mb which is ample for my use. 
 

I wouldn’t recommend running through an extension for the router, as your speed/reliability will be effected. See how you go, but you can move the socket at any point, or move the location of your router. 

[Mike Oxlong]

39 minutes ago, Strokes said:

移動主插座是一件小事，只有2根電線。
 斷開舊的連接並拍照。 將電纜從外牆上拉出並安裝IP防護盒，從IP盒外部將新電纜鋪設到新位置，然後進行鑽穿。
 安裝主插座，使其位於新位置。 在IP框中加入相同的顏色，然後完成。
 費用約為25英鎊，最多需要一個小時。

聪明的家伙

Cōngmíng de jiāhuo

[Strokes]

16 minutes ago, Mike Oxlong said:

聪明的家伙

Cōngmíng de jiāhuo

Chateauneuf du Pape Rodney.

[W88DY]

8 hours ago, Ashley said:

I'm with Virgin Media and they're shit hot. Think I've had an issue once with broadband and that was after a upgrade. Nothing a power cycle didn't fix. Average about 430mpbs. Highest I've hit is 600mpbs.

 

 

I have been with Virgin Media myself for a few years now but the only problem i had was a coverage problem where i couldn`t get online when in the back garden!

The way i got round this was to buy a Asus RT-AX88U router to boost the internet all over the house and bypass the Virgin Hub...

My download speed should be 350mbps but normally get around 380mbps. 

 

 

[The Syrup]

CityFibre have started to install their network in Leicester. This is a new FTTP network so no copper wires and doesn't use existing Openreach (ex-BT) or Virgin networks.. They are currently digging up the streets around Belgrave and Rushey Mead. Going to take 5 years to install the network across the whole of Leicester, so another option to consider in the future.

https://www.cityfibre.com/news/cityfibre-breaks-ground-leicesters-digital-transformation/

[darko2k7]

On 06/04/2021 at 09:24, Spudulike said:

I've been using BT as my broadband provider for a couple of years now after previously using Talktalk and Sky (not impressed with either). BT has been ok other than a few really annoying drop out problems from time to time (missing Vardy's goal against Liverpool) so agreed a new 24 month contract. 

 

I'm being upgraded to Halo3 apparently which, as far as I understand, is fibre to the cabinet up the road but uses the existing copper connection to the house. It's guaranteed 100mbps and claims to be 146mbps. For some reason an Open reach engineer has to attend to install it in my house. No idea why and I couldn't get a coherant explanation from the operator. Anyone else had this?

 

My current router is connected via an extension lead (not recommended but works OK) as the master socket was put in the kitchen before broadband was even a thing. It was only for a land-line connection so really needs to be moved as I'm not sure if this new service will work well (or at all). Apparently it costs £150 to get it moved by Open reach. 

 

Does anyone else have experience of Halo3? 

The reason an engineer as to install the service is down the contracted minimum speed of 100mbps . This speed needs to be proven from the customer end before they can sign off the order . Hope that make more sense . 

Edited 7 April 2021 by darko2k7