Fibre Optic?
Have any of those of you in London/UK noticed Virgin's new fibre optic broadband service? Have fibre optic broadband connections finally become a reality? I would be about time, but all is not what it seems.
Thinkbroadband has an article on the subject entitled ASA rules on Virgin 'fibre optic' broadband claims
Apparently the service isn't fibre optic all the way to your computer which is a little misleading when you read the adverts. A 100% fibre optic service is called fibre to the home (FTTH).
In any case, I should be changing my current ISP as its 8Mbps connection provides quite poor performance during peak hours. I've just been too lazy to get around to it. Also, I do worry that if the transfer didn't go smoothly it would disrupt my night shifts and any possible over time.
Many of my friends all moved to Be a while back - I wonder if they still recommend it?
I have had no problems with the BE broadband service and get great speeds so in that vain I would recommend it. But there customer service is awful as none of it is based in this country.
ver all I think its great value for money and I get great speeds.
Posted by: quik | Sunday, March 09, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Thanks for that. Which package did you sign up for?
Posted by: Darren | Sunday, March 09, 2008 at 04:10 PM
The £18 one whatever that is.
Posted by: quik | Sunday, March 09, 2008 at 04:18 PM
That's the one I would choose if I make the move. It's called "Be unlimited - Up to 24 meg ultra-fast broadband".
Posted by: Darren | Sunday, March 09, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Wow, 18 pounds is pretty reasonable. Does that give you download limits?
Posted by: Mark | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 07:10 AM
No, no limits. My current provider is only £14/month but does has a fair use policy. I doubt I go anywhere near the limits, though. Unfortunately it looks as though speeds are throttled during peak hours. Either that or the network can't take the traffic.
Posted by: Darren | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 10:58 AM
You should get lightning speeds as well as you aren't far from your exchange, probably only around 600 or 700 meters.
Posted by: quik | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Are you still with Eclipse?! Yeah Be is good although they had a few DNS issues recently but seems alright now.
Don't forget to get someone's Be referral code and the free connection voucher code (google).
Posted by: Lee | Friday, March 14, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Quik,
I didn't know I was close to the exchange but that didn't help me get blazing speeds with Eclipse, even back when things were faster than now.
Lee,
Yes, I am! I know, I should have changed a long time ago, but I started to think it was a hassle, I'd end up paying more (for the higher speed) and I was worried about working from home and any outages.
Right, when I get around to it (!) I'll grab a referral from one of you. I didn't know there was a connection voucher code. Isn't it normally free to switch?
Posted by: Darren | Friday, March 14, 2008 at 07:09 PM