Broadband is not all about the provider
March 15, 2009
Most people that are in the process of a search for a new broadband provider, connection or package often think: The broadband provides the service and the end user can customize the package from the provider to cater to their preferences. Well there is actually a little more involved that is important to note.
Broadband speed and quality often times depends largely on the type and quality of the PC that you will be using the connection on. Sometimes the age of a computer could have a very strong effect on the signal that the broadband company is able to transmit and often times a very old computer can immensely slow down a very fast connection.
Most computers these days are equipped with built in processors that can transmit a proper signal but if your computer is from years prior to the most recent connection type than you may have a problem with the connection that has absolutely nothing to do with your provider.
Remember that buying a PC has now become something that will have to be updated on a somewhat regular bi-yearly basis. As things change and technology changes things are likely to get faster, smaller, greener and better so buying a laptop or desktop and counting on keeping it for decades is most likely a thing of the past.
But with computers getting more affordable and broadband deals following suit in that regard it should be no problem to be able to make an upgrade every now and again in the future years to come.
City versus rural broadband and Ofcom's market 1, 2, 3
March 1, 2009
I have been contacted by Plusnet recently. Plusnet have released two new broadband products – Plusnet value and Plusnet unlimited. Plusnet have encouraged me to update the pricing information on their products (I still need to do this – but am writing this post as I learn what the pricing refers to …. BT’s broadband Market 3 etc. ???).
With Plusnet’s new pricing came references to.
“the cheapest market 3 broadband in the UK”
At this point I am not sure what market 3 means. Read on if you want to follow me on my journey of finding out. Jump to the bottom of the post if you prefer un-pretty pictures.
From what initially sounds like (from Plusnet) two simple broadband products, there is in-fact some confusing pricing that goes hand in hand. It appears that the price you pay for your broadband is dependent on the level of competition in your local area. (I know I am writing a broadband website here but this is relatively new news to me).
It appears that where your local BT exchange houses equipment from other broadband providers, the price you pay for your broadband is lower….. this confuses me and I am sure it will confuse others.
Live in a city – get cheap broadband
Now I may be reading too little into this, but it seems that the only customers that benefit from cheap broadband are going to be customers where companies such as Sky, o2 and Orange are prepared to put in their own equipment to a BT exchange. Now broadband companies are only going to do this in areas where there are large number of potential customers… yes, you guessed it….
“people living in cities still pay considerable less for their broadband than those of us that live out in the country.”
So if you live in a city (or other areas with broadband providers competing for your custom) – good for you – you live in a Market 3 area and can get nice cheap broadband. And, at £5.99 per month, Plusnet Value now provides the cheapest broadband in these competitive areas.
For the rest of us. Expect to continue to pay high prices for you broadband connections. The same Plusnet value product in a ‘normal’ area is £11.99 per month. Not so great.
In case you are interested to know more about the digital divide in the UK. Skim the notes below. If you live in an area highlighted in red, you can get cheap broadband. If you don’t, you’re stuck with slow broadband speeds and high prices. Doesn’t quite ad up does it?
Ofcom descriptions for broadband markets
Under Ofcom regulations introduced in May 2008, telephone exchanges are graded in one of four categories.
- Market 1 – BT Wholesale are the only broadband provider
- Market 2 – Broadband is available from 2 or 3 providers (including BT)
- Market 3 – Broadband is available from 4 or more providers (including BT)
- Hull area – broadband provided by Kingston communications
If an exchange is scheduled to offer broadband from 4 or more providers in the future then it’ll be Market 2 if it serves less than 10,000 lines and Market 3 if it serves more than 10,000.
Ofcom broadband map - market 1, 2 and 3 - 2008
Plusnet value
February 17, 2009
Plusnet have just launched the cheapest broadband product in the UK – Plusnet Value. Priced at only £5.99 per month, Plusnet Value customers receive up to 8MB broadband download speeds, a free wireless router, and up to 10GB of monthly broadband downloads.
Switching your broadband to Plusnet is both free and easy; their broadband support team and really helpful & available 24hours a day, 7 days per week. Plusnet also came top in nine out of eleven categories in the uSwitch broadband customer satisfaction survey, including Best Overall Customer Satisfaction and Best Technical support.
Summary of Plusnet Value
- £5.99 a month to 80% of the UK broadband market*
- Wireless router included
- Free set-up
- Up to 8Mb speeds
- 10Gb usage allowance
- 18 month contract applies
Notes: *Plusnet cover 80% of the UK broadband market – for customers not in these geographic areas the Plusnet Value will be £5.99 a month for 3 months and then £11.99
Plusnet Unlimited
February 17, 2009
BT-owned Plusnet have just launched a new range of broadband products. Plusnet unlimited – for £11.99 per month – gives you broadband speeds of upto 8MB, unlimited! monthly downloads, a free wireless router. Plusnet is also free to join and set-up.
Plusnet’s new broadband deals are bound to make the company appear higher in our Top 10 broadband league tables.
Notes: £11.99 offer is for the first 3-months. The monthly broadband cost then increases to £15.99. 18-month contract applies.
Plusnet bargain
November 27, 2008
Plusnet have just launched an absolute credit crunching bargain. They are offering some new introductory pricing on their broadband products.
They are offering to bundle in the cost of home phone for £1.99 per month for the first 3 months (BTcharge around £10 per month for their line-rental). You need to purchase their £9.99 per month broadband package, but, it still works out to be a mega-bargain.
Visit the Plusnet website to find out more.
If you are considering switching broadband providers – please give Plusnet a look in; they win tonnes of customer satisfaction awards and you can try them out with a 90 day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like Plusnet you can leave! Now that IS a refreshing change.
New MacBook 13 inch
November 6, 2008
One of the guys in the office just got one of the Apple macbooks. The mac book is simply stunning. All aluminium case, with a backlit keyboard. Prices start from £950. Check it out on the new Mac book page at the Apple store. And add it to your Christmas wish-list.
Switching to Mobile broadband this Christmas
November 1, 2008
Are you planning on switching to mobile broadband this Christmas? If you believe the hype then this year could well be getting a Laptop for Christmas. The major retailers such as PC World are pushing laptops with mobile broadband – ultra portable laptops such as the Asus EEEpc are being given away free with mobile broadband contracts. And if you don’t fancy an Asus then the likes of PCWorld and the Carphone Wharehouse will give you money off any laptop of your choice (PCWorld are offering £450 off any laptop).
This all sounds great, but, where’s the catch?
Is there a catch to mobile broadband?
Well not a catch per-se. But you do need to be aware of the commitment you need to make before a company gives you a free laptop with mobile broadband. You are looking at an 18-month contract to get a free mobile broadband dongle, or, a 24-month contract before you get the £450 off a laptop. That could be a shiny new Apple for you this Xmas.
Should I get mobile broadband the Christmas?
Well, this is ultimately going to come down to your decision. If you are prepared to be tied-in to a mobile broadband contract with someone like three mobile broadband then, the offer of a free laptop makes sense.
You don’t have to take their free laptop offer either – you could take a discount against a shiny new Apple mac laptop… sounds tempting to me.
However, if like me, you already have a laptop then you could haggle with the staff at PCWorld. If you don’t ask you don’t get. So try by asking them if they will give you a free mobile dongle with a 12-month mobile broadband contract. If they say “No”. Then try an 18-month contract.
Mobile broadband for macs
To embrace the festive spirit, I’ve put together a mobile broadband for macs page on this site. On it you will find links to the various mobile broadband providers and high-stret sellers. Its a collection of helpful links and some advice. I can see that mobile broadband is going to be big this Christmas, so I will try and add more information to the page and keep adding to the links of companies offering free laptops with broadband contracts.
Happy Halloween!
Robin
Top 10 broadband, October 2008
November 1, 2008
The following ISPs have been the most popular broadband providers for the month of October 2008.
- Madasafish
- BT Broadband
- o2 broadband
- Virgin Media
- TalkTalk broadband
- Be broadband
- Sky Broadband
- AOL Broadband
- Zen Internet
- Plusnet Broadband
Top 10 broadband, September 2008
October 10, 2008
The following broadband companies have proved the most popular Apple broadband providers for the month of September 2008.
- Madasafish broadband
- o2 broadband
- BT broadband
- Virgin media
- TalkTalk broadband
- Be broadband
- T-mobile broadband
- Three mobile broadband
- Zen Internet
- Sky broadband
o2 has grown in popularity over the months and is catching Madasafish. BT broadband is still a strong contender.
Top 10 broadband, August 2008
September 15, 2008
The following broadband providers have ranked as the best broadband for macs in August 2008.
- Madasafish broadband
- o2 broadband
- BT broadband
- Be broadband
- Virgin media
- Zen Internet
- Plusnet
- Three mobile broadband
- TalkTalk broadband
- AOL broadband
