UPC Broadband and TV

GRob1737

Im with UPC for the last 5 years. I have had nothing but problems with them. Im renting so contract isnt the best option for me. They keep increasing their prices I started at 35 euro and now i pay over 70 euro for the same service. Basic tv and 30mb speed. They will not reduce the price or upgrade me to higher speeds as my modem is old and i must enter a contract to get a new one. Even if i buy a third party modem! Their tv service is slow and crap. The broadband speeds are very slow. I should be getting 30mb only getting 10mb. I live on the border between dublin 3 and dublin 9 and tonight yet again their service went down. Is anyone else having these congestion issues and lack of service in the area? The minute i move from my house to a different one I will never get upc again and none of my family or friends are with them they have all canceled because of the grieve they give me.

coylemj

If the TV service is 'slow', it probably means your neighbours are interfering with the cables and mucking up the quality of your signal. You shouldn't experience any problems with the TV service, it is not subject to 'congestion' as you suggest, it doesn't matter how many people are picking up the signal.

whiteshorts

If the service is so bad, why don't you just cancel it and get in SKY or something?

zg3409

If you are renting entering a years contract is probably not a great option for you.

When you say basic TV, is it analogue TV with no way to record, or digital value, with a small non recording grey box, or a "+" recording black box?

Generally for TV Sky is better, but you need a dish and a years contract. Most half decent TV channels are available for free if you use an aerial and a dish.

UPCs internet, when it works, is generally thought to be good, but it does depend on where you live. If you are in an area where 120Mb is available then you are on a newer system, but you could be in an area where the max speed is 30Mb, and so the whole area is on an older system.

Regarding alternative to UPC internet, there are lots of options. Most have a 1 year contract, and most are generally inferior. Phone line based systems generally offer "up to" 24Mb, but typically give 6 to 10Mb depending on your distance from the exchange.

eFibre is expensive, and very limited areas, 50 to 80 per month.

Most other fixed wireless, 3G etc will not match even UPCs 30Mb speeds.

Congenstion can be an issue on UPC, no matter what UPC or others say. The entire neighbourhood share the one backbone and internet connection. This is especially true on older systems, however 10Mb at peak times is still not a bad speed.

former legend

Why does renting preclude you from a contract? You can just bring the box and contract with you if you move, assuming your new place is wired for UPC, which if you live in Dublin 3 or 9, it will.

For €70 per month you could be getting HD TV and 120 MB broadband; you won't get that elsewhere I'd imagine.

zg3409

former legend wrote: »

Why does renting preclude you from a contract? You can just bring the box and contract with you if you move, assuming your new place is wired for UPC, which if you live in Dublin 3 or 9, it will.

For €70 per month you could be getting HD TV and 120 MB broadband; you won't get that elsewhere I'd imagine.

If you need to install a Sky box, you need to drill holes, which requires landlord permission. If you move within a year, they may not waive the new install charge at the new location, if it is even allowed to install a dish.

The OP says they want to switch away from UPC if they move, which if they enter a contract would not be possible.

If you move there are other issues, UPC/Sky may be unavailable at new location. A different service (such as Eircom TV) may be preferential, or there may be new services launched such as 4G broadband.

The new location (say a shared house) may already have UPC or Sky account, meaning you are not moving, but cancelling.

I am not anti-contract, but I am very hesitant to sign one, especially if you are not currently happy with the current quality/speed/reliability.

You need to think long and hard before you commit to monthly outgoings for 12 months, particularly if the annual cost is upwards of 1,000 euro.

Threatening to leave, while not being in a contract, is a good way to keep costs down. I pay nothing for Sky's 35 Euro package, and am paying UPC 27 a month for 50Mb unlimited broadband. Neither would be possible in a contract.