[UK-CONTEST] It's a conspiracy

[Dave Sergeant]

On 27 Sep 2006 at 22:52, G3SJJ wrote:

> 7 September I received an email from BT : "Good news! BT Total Broadband 
> is here! We´ve made exciting changes to BT Broadband - changes that can 
> expand and enrich your online experience, enabling you to take your 
> high-speed broadband beyond the internet into a world of wider 
> possibilities."
> 

A word of warning from someone who has refused to be dragged into any 
of these latest offerings from BT - and who continues to have a rock 
solid 2Mb ADSL offering from them on the old system. I have read all 
the horror stories elsewhere.

1. Read this first Chris - do NOT install a single byte of their 
software. You don't need it and you will certainly regret it if you 
do. If you are currently connecting via ethernet (and since you have 
networked computers I assume you do) just plug it in and go. Not sure 
what you mean about a new password, if you already have BTYahoo and 
have upgraded your existing accounts you don't need anything new.

2. 'Up to 8Mb' with MaxDSL may well mean rather less. If you are on a 
long line don't expect much more than what you already have, probably 
less. If you already experience drop outs expect these to increase 
after upgrade. I see Bulldog has been done by the advertising 
standards agency for wrong use of the 'Up to 8Mb' term and notice 
that BT are no longer pushing it in their ads.

3. The new 'Hub' they supply is apparently pretty cheap and nasty and 
its router is apparently not all that much cop as a modem. Many have 
had problems with the range of the wireless. I would not be surprised 
if RF gets into it. It is aimed at their broadband voice product, 
which apparently has also had its problems (like it was down 
nationwide all last weekend...). You can continue to use your old 
router though.

4. Because DSLMax works at a much lower SNR (it increases the speed 
until there is no more margin left) my gut feeling is that it will be 
more RF prone than fixed speed DSL.

There you have it. I will not be changing until it is forced on me.

73 Dave G3YMC

http://www.davesergeant.com