[Red Devil]

Can anyone recommend an Internet Provider for short-term broadband connection (6 months) for a new customer?

Look forward to your suggestions.

Thanks
Simon

[Red Devil]

... apologies, my previous post was somewhat rushed and don't think I explained fully.

We'll be renting in the UK for 6 months and will require broadband connection for that period of time. Most of the ISP state signing up for 12 months, however we plan to be in NZ within 6 months and don't fancy being hit with a penalty clause for terminating a contract early.

Are there any options for going down this route, i.e. mobile broadband, etc.

Thanks
Simon

[Alan]

Most of the mobile operators offer mobile broadband but this would only be good for low level email and surfing in my opinion, anything more will be ridiculously expensive.

Landline related broadband would be 12 months normally, but have a look on http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband and see what it conjures up you may find one.

[victoria24]

not too sure on this one but i think that the reason you are tied in usually is when you take free equipment like a router. worth looking at the option if you use your own router and then take it to NZ with you?

[vixxann]

we sold our house in June and moved into rental for 4mths before we fly out. At rental there is no landline connected and I was reluctant to pay for one for short period of time so... we use our mobiles as our main phones and we got mobile broadband through 3 as that was best offer at time (modem was half price at £49.99) and its Pay as you go so no contract at all.

I have to say so far I'm VERY impressed :yes

I got £10 credit (1gb) for my first month and used it up exactly in the 30days its valid for. I then topped up with £15 which is 3gb so a lot better value for money. I've 10 days of my 30 left and still over 2gb left!!

I do use the internet a lot :o I upload photos, download small videos, listen to music etc plus all normal emailing, online banking, wasting time of facebook etc!

You can check on their website if you are in a good area of coverage - the best I get is generally is 3.6mbps which does fine for me. If you buy modem and find out you have no coverage at home they will refund if you take straight back.

Would definately recommend :nice1

[Red Devil]

Hi Vicki

Thanks for your comments, that's the type of set-up we're after for 6 months.

It frustrates me like hell when you have to rely on BT for internet connection... minimum term contract and their customer service is shocking (IMHO).

I reckon 3's mobile broadband set-up will work a treat... I'll pop into my local branch at lunch and ask a few questions.

Simon

[Red Devil]

Hmmm, typical... no coverage for the area!!!

Any other suggestions folks?

Simon

[Nemo]

We had the same problem back in February & ended up agreeing to a termination fee of £70 which is payable when we cancel the contract. This is with madasafish.com & seemed to me to be the best of a bad bunch; unless something has changed since then, ALL the landline-based services tie you into a 1 year contract and some won't allow early termination at all, ie you pay for the whole year regardless.

Some things to watch out for if you do go this route, actually just one thing: BT. Not only did they charge us £125 to connect the line, because we switched to madasafish's cheaper line rental, BT billed us a further £80 for breaking our contract with them!

FWIW, I can recommend madasafish.com for price, service & tech support. I seem to recall a couple of other ISPs (TalkTalk? Virgin?) are upfront about the cost of early cancellation but whoever you go with, don't tick the box that offers cheaper line rental, cos it will work out a helluvalot more expensive.

[victoria24]

t mobile have got an offer on mobile broadband at the mo. i have an old iphone which you can use on payg with for 10 per month for unlimited. it picks up wireless and edge and the cloud and bt openzone but is a bit slow otherwise.