Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Which Provider? What Type Of Broadband? Broadband In My Area? !!POST HERE ONLY!!

1246742

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,824 ✭✭✭ShooterSF


    Rant incoming!

    Never had so much effort in my life trying to give a business my money! My flat is not listed on UPC's site but most of the blocks around me have it so I've rang and been told I'll be called back in a day or two three times over the last two weeks, never getting a call back. To add insult there was a UPC fan parked in my lane last week and I naively thought they were checking. What makes it even worse again is TV is covered in the apartment's rent and we get channels in through cable which is chorus (i.e UPC). Uck.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭roast


    I am moving into a place that may or may not have an eircom phone line but UPC cannot provide broadband in the building because the buillding contract is with another provider (presumably eircom) - Is that normal?
    I'd check with UPC again if I were you, or contact a local UPC account manager - you'll see adds in your local newspaper with contact numbers.
    If there is a phone line, do I have to pay that line cost to Eircom? I see there's broadband for 25 (excl. line rental)
    If you sign up for BB with an Eircom reseller, such as vodafone/Magnet etc. you pay the fees, including line rental, to that company in one bill.
    If there is no phone line, is there any way around renting an eircom phone line - Vodafone only provides broadband through eircom lines and again, UPC can't in the building.
    You can get a line installed if you contact eircom.
    I looked at 02 but apparently the 3g reception isn't great! I only need it for 4 months!

    Any ideas?!
    You won't get a broadband contract for four months, most are 12months. PrePay Mobile Midband dongles will allow you to use them on a month-by-month basis. Magnet also offer a contract-free option too, I believe, called Swift, which is through the phone line.


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 LockeTribal


    Possibly stupid question incoming but any help or advice would be appreciated.

    Recently moved to rented accommodation in Letterkenny which as far as I can tell has been wired by eircom (phone point in the hallway). I'm also informed that the line there has never been activated. So first of all, how do I go about getting it activated for broadband?

    Secondly, once I get it activated, will I be stuck in a 12 month contract with eircom (ie not able to change my broadband provider, without buying out the contract) or is it just a contract for the line rental?

    Cheers for any help and advice folks.

    PS - can I suggest an update to the OP? New residential phone lines with eircom now have a 12 month minimum contract rather than the 6 months.


  • Registered Users Posts: 658 ✭✭✭CongoPowers


    Okay, I know nothing about broadband etc so this question is probably stupid.

    I'm with O2 and it's rubbish. I'm changing in the next week or so because my contract is running out with the current crowd.

    I reckon I'll go for UPC (is available where I live), but what's the story with having to get connected by a third party? Their website says they're not responsible for having your house enabled or whatever. And that it costs €40?

    I read the first post and I know about the €7-something charge if I don't have the TV connection etc.

    For anyone here who got UPC, how do I go about getting it and is it worthwhile?

    Cheers!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,150 ✭✭✭Johnmb


    Okay, I know nothing about broadband etc so this question is probably stupid.

    I'm with O2 and it's rubbish. I'm changing in the next week or so because my contract is running out with the current crowd.

    I reckon I'll go for UPC (is available where I live), but what's the story with having to get connected by a third party? Their website says they're not responsible for having your house enabled or whatever. And that it costs €40?

    I read the first post and I know about the €7-something charge if I don't have the TV connection etc.

    For anyone here who got UPC, how do I go about getting it and is it worthwhile?

    Cheers!
    3rd party connection? Haven't heard that before. UPC do their own connections, unless all the wiring is already in place, then they'll just send you the stuff to do a self install. Phone them on 1908, select sales, and take it from there.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 332 ✭✭Theimprover


    I just got a new line into my house by eircom, now i want to get broadband but eircom are telling me that i am on a 12 month contract with the line rental, i have been onto vodafone about getting broadband and they have told me that my line can take up to 17mb, i want to go with vodafone as they are the cheaper of the two and also eircom are saying that my line will only take 1mb, by the sounds of it i have to stay with eircom for 12 months, joke, anyone have any suggestions on how i can get away from eircom with out having to give them €250 as they have requested in order for me to go with a different provider? Btw the line is only contected since the 9th


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,150 ✭✭✭Johnmb


    I just got a new line into my house by eircom, now i want to get broadband but eircom are telling me that i am on a 12 month contract with the line rental, i have been onto vodafone about getting broadband and they have told me that my line can take up to 17mb, i want to go with vodafone as they are the cheaper of the two and also eircom are saying that my line will only take 1mb, by the sounds of it i have to stay with eircom for 12 months, joke, anyone have any suggestions on how i can get away from eircom with out having to give them €250 as they have requested in order for me to go with a different provider? Btw the line is only contected since the 9th
    They can't lock you into a 12 month contract (or one of any length) just for installing a line. There must be a package that you signed up for. There is usually a cooling off period where you can cancel without penalty, check the small print for the package you signed up for.


  • Registered Users Posts: 332 ✭✭Theimprover


    Johnmb wrote: »
    They can't lock you into a 12 month contract (or one of any length) just for installing a line. There must be a package that you signed up for. There is usually a cooling off period where you can cancel without penalty, check the small print for the package you signed up for.

    I have not signed up for any package only had the line installed. I received a welcome letter from them today and in the T&C it reads as follows.

    A minimum term contract of six months, from the completion of your order, applies to all PSTN Residental lines provided on or after the 1st October 2009. A minimum term contract of 12 months, from the completion of your order, applies to all PSTN Residental lines provided on or after 22nd August 2011. Customers subject to a minimum contract will be liable for, and agree to pay eircom, a termination charge if the Agreement is terminated during the relevant minimum period. The maximum applicable termination charge is the Residental PSTN rental due for the unexpired portion of the minimum term.

    They have also attached an agreement form for me to sign which i have not done yet, i was told over the phone by eircom when i placed the order for the line that it would be a 12 month contract and it will cost me €25 p/m or i could pay €250 for the line with out been in contract.
    Very frustrating that i have to be tied to them for 12months:mad:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,150 ✭✭✭Johnmb


    I have not signed up for any package only had the line installed. I received a welcome letter from them today and in the T&C it reads as follows.

    A minimum term contract of six months, from the completion of your order, applies to all PSTN Residental lines provided on or after the 1st October 2009. A minimum term contract of 12 months, from the completion of your order, applies to all PSTN Residental lines provided on or after 22nd August 2011. Customers subject to a minimum contract will be liable for, and agree to pay eircom, a termination charge if the Agreement is terminated during the relevant minimum period. The maximum applicable termination charge is the Residental PSTN rental due for the unexpired portion of the minimum term.

    They have also attached an agreement form for me to sign which i have not done yet, i was told over the phone by eircom when i placed the order for the line that it would be a 12 month contract and it will cost me €25 p/m or i could pay €250 for the line with out been in contract.
    Very frustrating that i have to be tied to them for 12months:mad:
    They can't legally do that. I think the contract must be relating to canceling the line, something that you won't be doing if you switch to another provider who will be using the line. Phone the other provider that you want, and tell them the story, they'll be able to send the proper forms to sign the number etc over to them. Or, if Eircom can suddenly start locking people to them just for installing the line, then the other providers must be able to initiate the line installation process, so they'll do that and you just return the forms to Eircom unsigned and tell them you changed your mind as you hadn't realized you could get a line installed by another provider.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,150 ✭✭✭Johnmb


    Having checked Eircom's website, they can charge a maximum of €122 for a standard line installation. No contracts, no more money. So that would be your worst case scenario, they'll charge you that much if you won't sign up to a contract with them.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 396 ✭✭Opics


    I need help with a person with more knowledge of this stuff than me please :(

    Just been informed that UPC don't have cables going to the area of my rented accomodation in Cork (In the middle of the City, no less). Also, there is no phone that I am aware of.

    What would be my best choice to go for now in terms of broadband? I am hoping for something reasonably fast (I understand something as quick as 25mb+ is likely out of the question due to the lack of cables etc) and at a decent price.

    I was hoping for UPCs broadband and tv package but the tv is of secondary importance. I'm only going to be at the house for 9 months so a short term contract would also be a preference but not a necessity. Help please :o


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,630 ✭✭✭ps200306


    Anyone know how to rattle UPCs cage effectively? They were doing cabling in my area (Dalkey) last March (I think). I contacted them on their website and asked about broadband availability. I got a phone call back nearly immediately from a sales person, thanking me for my interest and saying they would take a few weeks to test the new lines, then it would be available and I'd be notified. Now it's mid September and I haven't heard anything. Their coverage map shows the area still "due to be upgraded". And when I tried to contact them again via their website I didn't hear a dickybird back. Anyone have any idea what the story is?

    (Meanwhile Eircom have told me my "Home Office" package is being rebranded as "Business Starter", and that I could actually get 24 Mb cheaper than I'm paying them now. Yippee... except I'm already supposed to get 8 Mb and their poxy copper wire won't support more than 2 Mb. Twats!)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,009 ✭✭✭jkforde


    had an eircom boyo around yesterday offering 8mb uncongested for 34euros pm, unlimited (250GB fair usage), connection, line rental and wifi box included. has anyone fallen for this or is it a good offer?

    there's a UPC cable in the house and their regular offer is 25mb for 32.75 (no TV, no wifi box). what're the contention ratios like on UPC?.. the eircom fella is claiming it's 1:17

    🌦️ 6.7kwp, 45°, SSW, mid-Galway 🌦️

    "Since I no longer expect anything from mankind except madness, meanness, and mendacity; egotism, cowardice, and self-delusion, I have stopped being a misanthrope." Irving Layton



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,009 ✭✭✭jkforde


    anyone? on the face of it UPC's 25Mb line appears a no-brainer in comparison to eircom's 8Mb line but no point paying for 25Mb if the contention is high. but then how to make sure eircom's offer of an uncongested line is genuine (i know, i know, is any word genuine from Babcock & Brown's cakehole?!).
    jkforde wrote: »
    had an eircom boyo around yesterday offering 8mb uncongested for 34euros pm, unlimited (250GB fair usage), connection, line rental and wifi box included. has anyone fallen for this or is it a good offer?

    there's a UPC cable in the house and their regular offer is 25mb for 32.75 (no TV, no wifi box). what're the contention ratios like on UPC?.. the eircom fella is claiming it's 1:17

    🌦️ 6.7kwp, 45°, SSW, mid-Galway 🌦️

    "Since I no longer expect anything from mankind except madness, meanness, and mendacity; egotism, cowardice, and self-delusion, I have stopped being a misanthrope." Irving Layton



  • Registered Users Posts: 151 ✭✭BulliteShot


    Go for it. If it's not what was advertised, cancel your direct debit. If you're promised that speed when you signed up and don't get it, their contract means nada.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 9,927 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    ShooterSF wrote: »
    Never had so much effort in my life trying to give a business my money! My flat is not listed on UPC's site .....
    We keep getting UPC flyers in out apartment block, but whenever anyone phones to sign up they get told they do not have connectivity in our area......muppets!

    Would love to have a decent alternative to Eircom.


    The problem with the Eircom offer is that it states "up to 8mb uncongested broadband" We have been having less than stellar performance from our Eircom line over the last 12 months.

    However we don't have an alternative.
    Vodafone are crap, we tried Irish Broadband, UPC don't serve our area....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,313 ✭✭✭AstonMartin


    I want to get one of the dongles to be used mainly in the dublin 2 area.

    which provider offers the best speeds for this area?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,255 ✭✭✭Renn


    Tenger wrote: »
    We keep getting UPC flyers in out apartment block, but whenever anyone phones to sign up they get told they do not have connectivity in our area......muppets!

    Would love to have a decent alternative to Eircom.


    The problem with the Eircom offer is that it states "up to 8mb uncongested broadband" We have been having less than stellar performance from our Eircom line over the last 12 months.

    However we don't have an alternative.
    Vodafone are crap, we tried Irish Broadband, UPC don't serve our area....

    Experiencing the exact same. Living in the city centre but UPC say there's no network coverage :/

    Don't know who to go with now...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,255 ✭✭✭Renn


    Looking for something other than UPC in the Merrion Square area - suggestions?


  • Registered Users Posts: 151 ✭✭BulliteShot


    I wish there was a low latency satellite service. :)


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 4,537 ✭✭✭joseph brand


    Go for it. If it's not what was advertised, cancel your direct debit. If you're promised that speed when you signed up and don't get it, their contract means nada.

    I was told that I could pay in the Post office (with eircom). Probably easier to cancel that way. Just don't pay.


  • Registered Users Posts: 151 ✭✭BulliteShot


    I was told that I could pay in the Post office (with eircom). Probably easier to cancel that way. Just don't pay.

    You need to make a point to them that their service was not up to spec. Phone them up and tell them why you no longer want their service. Write them a letter.
    They shouldn't hassle you if you tell them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3 briancol


    Hi Renn,
    I have used an o2 dongle in Dublin 2, it costs €10 per month with a 30 day contract and 2GB per month download. I'm sure the other mobile providers have similar packages as well, I don't know anything about the terrestrial providers in that area.

    B


  • Registered Users Posts: 30 MMiskella


    Hi all,

    I'm currently on 8mb Vodafone and located in Bray but thinking of switching provider.
    If I could get some suggestions it would help a lot as I have no idea what the current broadband climate is like but I do know UPC put in lines recently and Eircom have been calling about higher speeds.

    My priorities are first of all and most importantly to be consistent, so the speed I'm promised is the speed I get and as I do a bit of online gaming I also want a low ping which has been getting worse with Vodafone lately.
    A higher upload speed (over 0.8mbps) would be a bonus but not as interested in going too mad with download speeds.
    I have a modem and router tucked away some where so the quality of the one they supply could be side stepped.

    Educate me please :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 141 ✭✭DoubleBogey


    Tenger wrote: »
    Would love to have a decent alternative to Eircom.

    Trust me, the grass is no greener on the other side. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually looking to go back to Eircom. I've been with UTV, BT and Magnet. My advice is to look for good customer service. BT were the absolute kings, such a shame they fled the country but who can blame them really. They are probably the main reason why my expectations are so high. UTV are crooks. I had to go down the legal route to get away from them. Magnet are hit and miss. They reply to some issues and completely ignore others. Unfortunately its the easy issues they reply to and for the serious issues you get the cold shoulder.

    Remember, whatever line issues you are having its going to be the same with all Eircom resellers. What you need is the provider who is going to give you the best customer support when things go wrong. you may think Eircom are bad (I know I did) but they're the best I've seen with the exception of BT.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 9,927 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    I went for the easy option......renewed with Eircom. UPC not in my area, Irish Broadband not reliable, never had good dealings with 3, that new satellite based deal doesn't offer unlimited GB per month.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 85 ✭✭Closov


    I'm getting very frustrated with my current provider: service is very intermittent lately and support / customer service is useless, I switched from Eircom with great relief about 5 years ago and I haven't studied deeply into this subject since then...

    Can anyone answer the following questions for me?

    1) I currently have a fixed IP which is very convenient for remote access to my home server and security cameras, would this be a pain with Eircom (I expect they don't provide fixed IP). This is my most important concern, even before price.
    2) Can I download torrents?
    3) What does it mean for me if I live in an area marked as NGB enabled, but not migrated - how long would the wait be?
    4) Must I pay telephone line rental?
    5) Will my VOIP phone still work?
    6) Can I continue to use my existing router?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,630 ✭✭✭ps200306


    Closov wrote: »
    I'm getting very frustrated with my current provider: service is very intermittent lately and support / customer service is useless, I switched from Eircom with great relief about 5 years ago and I haven't studied deeply into this subject since then...

    Can anyone answer the following questions for me?

    1) I currently have a fixed IP which is very convenient for remote access to my home server and security cameras, would this be a pain with Eircom (I expect they don't provide fixed IP). This is my most important concern, even before price.
    2) Can I download torrents?
    3) What does it mean for me if I live in an area marked as NGB enabled, but not migrated - how long would the wait be?
    4) Must I pay telephone line rental?
    5) Will my VOIP phone still work?

    1) You won't get a fixed IP from Eircom, but you can use a dynamic DNS approach, such as dyndns.org, supported by many routers (and maybe yours).

    2) Don't know. I never do it. Eircom have some sort of snooping for illegal downloads installed, for sure.

    3) NGB doesn't mean anything. It still depends on the copper wire to your house. I'm in an NGB area, and pay for 8 Mb/s, but get 2 Mb/s and Eircom refuse to do anything about it. (Which is why I'm on my way to UPC as we speak -- 20 times the speed PLUS television for less than Eircom's line rental and broadband).

    4) Yes

    5) Probably. Mine does. The low jitter on Eircom ADSL is its one saving grace for me -- the only thing that makes me nervous about moving away from them, seeing as VoIP saves me €80/month.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 85 ✭✭Closov


    ps200306 wrote: »
    1) You won't get a fixed IP from Eircom, but you can use a dynamic DNS approach, such as dyndns.org, supported by many routers (and maybe yours).

    2) Don't know. I never do it. Eircom have some sort of snooping for illegal downloads installed, for sure.

    3) NGB doesn't mean anything. It still depends on the copper wire to your house. I'm in an NGB area, and pay for 8 Mb/s, but get 2 Mb/s and Eircom refuse to do anything about it. (Which is why I'm on my way to UPC as we speak -- 20 times the speed PLUS television for less than Eircom's line rental and broadband).

    4) Yes

    5) Probably. Mine does. The low jitter on Eircom ADSL is its one saving grace for me -- the only thing that makes me nervous about moving away from them, seeing as VoIP saves me €80/month.

    Cheers for the quick reply ps200306, wrt torrents, It's doesn't have to be illegal! I'm paying for a software subscription and updates and training videos are distributed via torrent.

    Edit: And your reply regarding NGB is very interesting :-/ I wasn't expecting that


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 59 ✭✭Pages


    Hi all ,

    Thinking about getting UPC 50mb package but I am worried about some horror stories of people with the lack of dedicated bandwidth getting download speeds of less than 1mb !

    I also work from home as part of my job so the connection would need to be reliable , has anyone experience with the internet going down regularly ?

    Any advice would be great
    Thanks ,
    Pages


  • Registered Users Posts: 40 lorrscann


    My experience would lead me to advise everyone to stay well away from UPC - they promise you everything and once they get you refuse to deal with you. Easily 10 if not 20 phone calls in the past 2 weeks and I am being passed from Dublin to Cork to Waterford and still no answer. The business park in Fairview told us that they are the ones who have to the work and they find the Sales people unreal.


  • Registered Users Posts: 151 ✭✭BulliteShot


    UPC is brilliant in Sligo. I can max out the 100 Mbps anytime of the day, any day of the month. I can stop downloading and play lag-free online gaming at any time of the day.
    Broadband is epic. I would say it is very close to data-centre grade. I also have 10 Mbps upload for some reason instead of the 7 Mbps as advertised.

    When I first joined UPC, I plugged the telephone into the wrong port on the router (number 2 instead of number 1).... the support guy was on the phone for 20 mins trying to find the problem and at the end of it all "accidentally disconnected me" 5 minutes after the telephone call ended. It took them a week and a half to get my broadband, tv and phone reconnected... 11 days I ended up paying for regardless.

    UPC TV box is complete crap. TV menu takes 5 seconds to load. Impatiently pressing the menu button makes the menu open and close... taking anything up to 20 seconds to get the list. Programme recoding is problematic. Remote doesn't work for some hours randomly (with eco setting on TV turned off). Channel 4 and many other channels and skippy, some others are fine 24/7.

    Phone service is fine. Quality is good and don't have any problems with it.

    Bottom line: I'm paying 85 euro/month for TV, Broadband and phone. I'd pay 200 euro/month for just the broadband.


  • Registered Users Posts: 40 lorrscann


    Yes but they won't contact me to sort out my issues so I see no reason therefore to pay them for their LIES and FALSE promises of a great deal


  • Registered Users Posts: 151 ✭✭BulliteShot


    What issues are you having?


  • Registered Users Posts: 40 lorrscann


    told I would get 4 digi boxes, phone and broadband for 45 a month - 65 for the first month. delivered 1 digi box - they refuse to respond to my query.. online bill shows €127 and i have not yet connected the phone or broadband - which they originally told me I could not do until I gave them my Eircom details. Keep promising me a call back and apologise for their colleagues not returning the calls but they are all the same - still nothing until today when I was told they could cut me off but I would still have to pay - for what>>


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 2,512 ✭✭✭Ellis Dee


    I lived in hell on earth for several years with my Eircom dial-up connection. It could take me up to an hour even to get into my e-mail, because the damn thing kept cutting out. Calling Eircom and attempting to upgrade to ISDN and so on was really pissing against the wind. Then, a couple of years ago, a leaflet from the EU and the County Council arrived with a freephone number. I called it and talked to a really professional person in Mumbai. Following his advice, I bought a USB modem and he talked me through the installation. Now I have broadband (3), pretty good, when I'm in Ireland. It costs me around €20 a month and I don't know myself. I doubt whether anyone is even capable of grasping how good it felt to call Eircom and tell them to get their ******* landline out of my house!


  • Registered Users Posts: 40 lorrscann


    well after my dealings with UPC without even trying their broadband even though I apparently will have to pay, I think Eircom are great never had any problem with them


  • Registered Users Posts: 151 ✭✭BulliteShot


    lorrscann, that sounds like a very strange deal. One that I would be suspicious of. I think you might have been scammed by the sales rep who said 4 digi boxes for 45/month.... UPC charge for multiroom.

    Ellis Dee, i've been there and done that to Eircom. I took great pride in snipping the phone wire in the attic too when they requested a "cancellation fee". What a joke when I was paying €150+ month for dialup.


  • Registered Users Posts: 40 lorrscann


    yep I think I was but I have requested the phone transcripts - probably wasting my time but I have accomodated them with their box on the side of my house - no one else would as everyone in my estate stays away from them. They did need me but I think I will go for Free Air toAir and just cut their silly cabling down.


  • Registered Users Posts: 151 ✭✭BulliteShot


    Try FreeSat. I'll be getting it when I move into my new house. From what i've heard it's got most of the same channels as Sky but without the monthly subscription. http://www.freesat.co.uk/

    I have had nothing but bad experiences with Eircom. Their broadband in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo is shockingly useless. It should not be called broadband, and it should not be being sold to everyone for at least around 50 euro a month.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 40 lorrscann


    Would prefer Free Air to Air = you can get the irish channels with it also. A no of friends I know have it and they think it is great - once off payment and that is that. Will have to then look at alternatives for my broadband as it is expensive with eircom.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,630 ✭✭✭ps200306


    lorrscan - that sounds like nonsense. There's never been a UPC offer of anything like 4 boxes for €45/mo. Did you bother reading their website?

    Just got UPC installed last week. They upgraded the local wiring about 6 months ago, but for some reason took until now to roll out digital services. I've gone from:

    * Eircom €25/mo line rental
    * Eircom call charges (although I use VoIP which is practically free)
    * Eircom €50/mo broadband (supposed to be 8Mb but could only get 2Mb and Eircom said they couldn't do anything about it)
    * Sky €31/mo TV

    to:

    * UPC €75/mo for:
    * 50Mb broadband(!),
    * phone with free calls evening and weekends
    * all the same TV channels and features as Sky+

    The broadband is practically flawless -- getting all the upload speed and most of the nominal download speed all the time. VoIP still works (in addition to the UPC phone service). VPN works. I was expecting the TV to be really clunky, based on reports I got from other people, but apart from a few warts it's better than Sky in many features. No remote record over the internet, but they say it's coming. Installation was quick and efficient. I've also had a few phone calls with their customer support which were a little trying, but again -- based on anecdotes heard -- I was expecting nightmares which did not materialise.

    Very, very, happy customer so far, and delighted to be rid of Eircom at last.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,584 ✭✭✭PCPhoto


    Guys -

    I'm looking for options:

    want to get broadband into the house (there is no phone line at present) - its in Enfield Co. Meath.

    At the moment I can only find two options:
    - Eircom
    - BT

    Ideally a decent connection with upload and download speeds - it wont be used very often just to have it at home.... might be looking at watching movies streamed that kind of thing - not into the download thing so that doesn't bother us.

    both myself and the girlfriend have O2 Dongles but to be honest ... they're slow and we want proper broadband.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭roast


    PCPhoto wrote: »
    Guys -

    I'm looking for options:

    want to get broadband into the house (there is no phone line at present) - its in Enfield Co. Meath.

    At the moment I can only find two options:
    - Eircom
    - BT

    Ideally a decent connection with upload and download speeds - it wont be used very often just to have it at home.... might be looking at watching movies streamed that kind of thing - not into the download thing so that doesn't bother us.

    both myself and the girlfriend have O2 Dongles but to be honest ... they're slow and we want proper broadband.

    It's doubtful, but is UPC available in your area? If so, try go with them for BB.

    If you have any neighbours with BB through the landline phone (DSL) ask them what speed they're receiving. This can give you a rough estimate on what you would expect to get through the phoneline. All DSL providers use Eircoms phone lines (Eircom, Vodafone, Gaelic, Digiweb etc) so expect the speeds to be the same between them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,584 ✭✭✭PCPhoto


    thanks for the input .

    Dont think UPC is available in the area - even if they are we have free to air and they generally overprice their broadband on its own package so they can sell the multi package of broadband, phone and tv.

    we only need broadband - I have had UPC in a previous home and never got near the speeds promised and had awful trouble with their Customer service if/when the network was down - very bad lack of communication from them.


  • Registered Users Posts: 151 ✭✭BulliteShot


    Glad to hear UPC is making a good name for itself.

    Eircom might be rolling out a new fibre service to compete with this, but do you really want to be with an ISP who "can't do anything" when problems like speed arise.
    The current eircom broadband was supposed to be "next generation". (of which much of the country still can't get yet) Are people really silly enough to jump on this train again?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭roast


    PCPhoto wrote: »
    Dont think UPC is available in the area - even if they are we have free to air and they generally overprice their broadband on its own package so they can sell the multi package of broadband, phone and tv.

    Shame, if they're not available there.
    I can't really say it's overpriced though.... of course, they'd lower the price in a bundle, but even UPC's lowest broadband offering (20mb) is only 25€ The highest (100mb) is only 55€, which is almost the same price as Eircom's highest, which is only 24mb.

    Are you in a town or the countryside? If it's the latter, you might have a problem getting a decent speed through the landline unfortunately.


  • Registered Users Posts: 296 ✭✭goalie2


    Folks,

    I was looking at the digiweb Metro value 5mb broadband for the Athlone area, has anyone ever used it around Monksland area of Athlone and how relaible is it? On o2 broadband stick and need to get off of it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 40 lorrscann


    PS200306
    UPC have sorted out my problem so all is well. Sorry to dissapoint you but they have confirmed that my monthly bill for Digital TV(2 recorders and 2 ordinary boxes, Broadband and phone is €48 - had free TV as I accomodated them with their services on my house and around my back garden wall!

    They have honoured their original agreement with me.

    I obviously am aware of the real cost but just wanted to ensure that the original free service followed through on my upgrade which it does.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,709 ✭✭✭✭Cantona's Collars


    goalie2 wrote: »
    Folks,

    I was looking at the digiweb Metro value 5mb broadband for the Athlone area, has anyone ever used it around Monksland area of Athlone and how relaible is it? On o2 broadband stick and need to get off of it.

    Digiweb Metro is extremely reliable,it'll leave your dongle in the ha'penny place.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement