Broadband and VOIP who would you go with?

[serendipitybusiness]

Hi All

So I am moving next month and need to choose my broadband, I am on 02 at the moment but they have gone pants cutting out all the time, BT I will not use as their support is atrocious and orange sucked last time I used them. I have cancelled my SKY as we never use it, so I am back to square one. I am in Preston Lancashire any recommendations?

Also I will be loosing my second line and am considering a voip solution rather than putting in a second hard line at the property (I prefer to work and run the businesses from home) plus I have multiple ventures so maybe able to have a system that has multiple numbers so I can answer on brand rather than guessing by the customers question and also maneuver quickly when it is time to take someone on for this. However when I have tried VOIP (but it was a skype system) the line quality was terrible and it kept cutting out. Any recommendations here? I have found Soho66 on google that look quite good.

What are your experiences, what would you recommend?

 

[Sparx]

Are you able to get Virgin Fibre?

 

[serendipitybusiness]

Not sure yet as we haven't chosen our house but is that who you would recommend if we can? Their land line broadband isn't very impressive my mum has them.

 

[Subbynet]

Not sure yet as we haven't chosen our house but is that who you would recommend if we can? Their land line broadband isn't very impressive my mum has them.

The land-line service piggybacks off the BT network, so it's no surprise it can be patchy, but I've been a Virgin Media (Fibre optic connection) customer for years now, and can't fault the service really. I can count on one hand the number of times its failed in that time.

Saying that, customer support tends to be dreadful, or at least it was a while back. The saving grace is that the service tends to work fine, so have very little excuse to even think about contacting customer services.

 

[british steve]

If your using it for business and running VoIP on the same connection then you may want to take a look at either Zen or Eclipse business broadband - not the cheapest but both offer the best service!

We have used Virgin Media in the past and both the broadband and the customer service (LOL) if you can call it that were beyond useless!

 

[cjd]

What are your experiences, what would you recommend?

We can help with both VoIP and broadband. It's best to get both from the same supplier so that they can't blame each other if you have the problems that you're describing with Skype.

Give us a call tomorrow on 020 7043 5555 and talk it through with one of the support people.

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

On the VoIP side I would definitely recommend voipfone (cjd), they will be able to sort you out.

Voipfone do offer broadband which may be worth going for to keep the responsibility in one place for the VoIP.

If you need any help with the phone line (or broadband for that matter) this is something we offer and I'd be happy to provide some options (even if it's just for a comparison).

 

[Cromulent]

Voipfone are excellent but I would go with someone like Goscomb for my business broadband.

 

[cjd]

Voipfone are excellent but I would go with someone like Goscomb for my business broadband.

Goscomb provide our broadband connectivity.

 

[Cromulent]

Goscomb provide our broadband connectivity.

Oh, that's interesting. Thanks for the information.

 

[Rydalcommunications]

One piece of advice. Always have a back up broadband line with a different supplier.

Our VOIP service does have a fall over or divert facility however if the broadband supplier fails you have an alternative there straight away.

If you need any more advice please drop our office a call and ask for myself on 01733511116.

Hope it all works out for you.

Regards
Steffan

 

[serverhouse]

It would make some sense to get Your broadband and your VOIP off the same supplier.

It will work if it's not, but it'll work better if it is and if you have call quality issues you won't get passed from post to post.

Gradwell would be my choice, we use them and they're very good.

 

[leemason]

If you can go for an ADSL line just for VoIP and a separate line fof data then look at Spitfire for the VoIP. They can provide a quality guarantee on calls as the connection goes directly into their VoIP infrastructure without touching the Internet.

 

[Usomo]

Hi,


Sam Knows could be a really useful site to you given that you mentioned that you were having problems with the quality of your previous broadband providers. You'll be able to see how far from the main exchange you are.

 

[cjd]

If you can go for an ADSL line just for VoIP and a separate line fof data then look at Spitfire for the VoIP. They can provide a quality guarantee on calls as the connection goes directly into their VoIP infrastructure without touching the Internet.

As do we

With our DSL we have dedicated, direct physical connections (literally cables) from our broadband network to our switches then by direct dedicated cables to the PSTN network. Call from our customers to PSTN and mobile numbers do not touch the internet.

(And it's all triple redundant, cable, peered networks and in desperation, prioritised internet.)

 

[leemason]

As do we

With our DSL we have dedicated, direct physical connections (literally cables) from our broadband network to our switches then by direct dedicated cables to the PSTN network. Call from our customers to PSTN and mobile numbers do not touch the internet.

(And it's all triple redundant, cable, peered networks and in desperation, prioritised internet.)

I'm really going to have to try you out with one of my customers some time. I will do soon I promise! Or maybe even with my hosted PBX.

 

[cjd]

I'm really going to have to try you out with one of my customers some time. I will do soon I promise! Or maybe even with my hosted PBX.

You won't that you need a SIP trunk from us per PBX extension.
(On the other hand they're only £1pm each.)

 

[leemason]

Colin: Sorry, say that again?

 

[cjd]

Colin: Sorry, say that again?

Oops, missing word:

You won't like that you need a SIP trunk from us per PBX extension.
(On the other hand they're only £1pm each.)

[You can't just hand your * box off our network and point numbers wherever you want them to go - we're first and foremost a hosted service, we support boxes but they're an add on.]

 

[leemason]

That's no so bad with certain types of system. I guess that means that all extensions can theoretically be on calls all at once?

 

[cjd]

That's no so bad with certain types of system. I guess that means that all extensions can theoretically be on calls all at once?

All extensions can be on calls at the same time - it's actually a SIP trunk per extension.

I imagine the security systems we have to protect hardware boxes would be of interest - not that we can talk about them ;-)

btw - If you want to play, you get a free month to mess with all our services. Just cancel at the end of the month - clicking the link from my signature should offer you the free UKBF offer.

 

[serendipitybusiness]

Firstly I want to apologise for my delay in reply here I got pulled into a product launch shortly after posting, I am just taking a quick break. Plus we have just found out my husbands contract may not get renewed in 6 weeks so we are having to put the move back slightly as we will need to re-adjust. (If anyone is looking for a excel VBA programmer with lots of other ace skills give me a shout!).

Thank you for all of your advice and direction, it has been incredibly helpful even if I don't understand some of it. CJD your service looks good and I will probably go with you guys but need to quiz you on whether we can have multiple numbers and any kind of notification of what number is calling so I can answer the phone on brand. It sounds like this is a possibility from what you have said here.

I like the idea of going with the broadband with you guys but we will be using probably 50-60 gig a month which puts us above your lower threshold but way below your larger threshold so we may have to go for eclipse (thanks for the recommendation) for that for an initial period them move to you later, I have to think about that one after speaking to your support team and do some sums.

However it looks like we are pushed back by at least a month if not longer so I have put this on on my to do list for later.

Thanks again guys

 

[cjd]

I will probably go with you guys but need to quiz you on whether we can have multiple numbers and any kind of notification of what number is calling so I can answer the phone on brand. It sounds like this is a possibility from what you have said here.

The best way to quiz us is to call us repeatedly - everyone does, nobody understands VoIP from the get go

You'll find the answer to multiple numbers and brand problem here:

http://www.voipfone.co.uk/Line_And_Number_Presentation.php

 

[21C Telecom]

We supply business broadband and we have a superb hosted IP telephony solution. As mentioned in a previous post, it is much better to get the broadband service and VoIP system from the same provider. Issues can then be resolved quickly and efficiently.
Have a look at our website for more information 21ctelecom.co.uk or give us a call 01332 415010.

 

[Nuno]

I use Voipfone for Voip and Zen for broadband and landlines.
I would happily swap over all services to either company if needed as both have been, for me, absolutely first rate, Voipfone for 5 years, Zen for 12.

 

[KM-Tiger]

I use Voipfone for Voip and Zen for broadband and landlines.
I would happily swap over all services to either company if needed as both have been, for me, absolutely first rate, Voipfone for 5 years, Zen for 12.

If nothing is broken, I wouldn't try and fix it.

Both are high quality providers with a good track record of CS.

 

[LeeBarnfield]

If nothing is broken, I wouldn't try and fix it.

Both are high quality providers with a good track record of CS.

One of the two are struggling with there networks, starting to get a poor reputation for the quality of service. Unless they invest heavily, they will continue to lose accounts.

Lee

 

[LeeBarnfield]

To the OP, i would recommend to go down the VOIP line only if you can get a decent provider.

I am unsure on self promotion here, but if i keep the business name out of the equation - maybe i will not fall foul of the rules? (yet).

My Company has it's own network, we buy from BT, C&W & 02 with interconnects with every other provider in the UK - you name them, we interconnect.

Where we are different from every other supplier is in our agreement, we offer a 100% resiliant network, no shaping, no contention, no FUP, no contracts - you use us, you pay 1 month in advanced - if you decide to leave, then by all means, we will issue you your MAC code & away you go.

However, we've been in business over 10 years (this year), we have over 1k accounts, some of them have been with us since day 1 & they never leave. Why? We offer a bespoke 1:1 service that no other ISP can provide.

We also provide long line broadband, this is unique in itself & no other provider can touch us, we provide DSL up to 19mb DL & 6mb UL anywhere up to & including 11.5km away from the exchange. The big 3 are desperate to buy our technology, but we refuse as we would then be disloyal to our customers.

So, how can this help you?

We can provide everything you need from IT support to VOIP install to an MPLS network if you have multiple offices, we work with you on a 1:1 basis to see how we can help you help us. If we do good, recommend us & we grow as a business. No false recommendations online for our business, that is a certain.

I'm based in Rochdale, give me a call & we will work out the best route & costs to help where we can.

Lee

 

[KM-Tiger]

...we provide DSL up to 19mb DL & 6mb UL anywhere up to & including 11.5km away from the exchange.

If you really can achieve those speeds on any line, then that would be something to roar about!

I'd be interested as I want to change my office ADSL provider. I originally signed up to O2 Business, but that was ditched after a year and now I've been sold to Sky, so I want to change before things deteriorate.

Do you provide IPv6 connectivity?

 

[TotallySport]

Can I just ask, since the business is based at home, how will that affect business broadband?

(My real question is would fibre obtic be very expensive?)

 

[LeeBarnfield]

If you really can achieve those speeds on any line, then that would be something to roar about!

I'd be interested as I want to change my office ADSL provider. I originally signed up to O2 Business, but that was ditched after a year and now I've been sold to Sky, so I want to change before things deteriorate.

Do you provide IPv6 connectivity?

Indeed we do, we every connectivity solution possible (we have an Army of engineers (literally X Royal Signals) & all connectivity services including;

IP VPN
Partial and Global IP Transits
Ethernet MPLS Backhaul
Exchange Backhaul
L2TP ADSL
RIPE Services
Dual Stack IPV4 and IPV6
PoP Build-Out

In regards to the DSL 11.5km, we do not market our strength as it takes a good 3 to 4 days to get the best speeds out of our network & with the software we use, it's very time consuming & we don't make anything from it - except a loyal customer, which if they then decide to use VOIP etc, we make a little on the lines & minutes (currently rolling LL to mobile at 4ppm).

But, never say never.

If you want to let us provide you with your connectivity, send me over your details, what service you require (we can put FTTC into places BT can't) - average data usage, average users - including BYOD - & I'll give you a price. If you are happy with that, send over your MAC & we will place the order.

30 days rolling contracts (EFM 12 month min) & pay by DD.

I only ask, if you are happy (I guarantee you will be), you would be kind enough to provide word of mouth recommendation for us.

KR

Lee

 

[LeeBarnfield]

Can I just ask, since the business is based at home, how will that affect business broadband?

(My real question is would fibre obtic be very expensive?)

No difference whatsoever, did you know why BT call it BT Business? They send you an invoice - that is the only difference.

I'm unsure on the rules here, but if you want a totally unlimited FTTC at home, drop me a PM with your phone number/postcode if your on LLU & I'll give you our rates.

In all cases, remember we are unique we do offer a service that cannot be copied by the Tier 1 providers, our loyal customers are tantamount to our skills.

Lee

 

[cjd]

Witchcraft and secret sauce, can't beat it !

 

[TotallySport]

No difference whatsoever, did you know why BT call it BT Business? They send you an invoice - that is the only difference.

I'm unsure on the rules here, but if you want a totally unlimited FTTC at home, drop me a PM with your phone number/postcode if your on LLU & I'll give you our rates.

In all cases, remember we are unique we do offer a service that cannot be copied by the Tier 1 providers, our loyal customers are tantamount to our skills.

Lee

There you have lost me, Business Broadband has much better response times for fixing issues, or at least in my experience.

You also pay much more for business broadband, so getting broadband on fibre optice should be very expensive.

However at home broadband at least were we live is very reliable, so I guess I will stick to a cheapish fibre obtic options.

 

[LeeBarnfield]

There you have lost me, Business Broadband has much better response times for fixing issues, or at least in my experience.

You also pay much more for business broadband, so getting broadband on fibre optice should be very expensive.

However at home broadband at least were we live is very reliable, so I guess I will stick to a cheapish fibre obtic options.

Ok, you never mentioned SLAs, assumed you meant line quality etc.

Of course, you get what you pay for, a good ISP will give your business a 4hr fix, 4hr response, DSL backup/DRS etc (we do). But you pay that little extra, however as we have full resilience, you'll never need it, but its there if you do.

Our biz FTTC is the same as our home offering, except for the SLAs of course.

Lee.