Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Returning to UK - Internet?

Wirelss Modem/Router

Could I buy the modem/router in USA before returning to UK? Something like the Lynksis WRT54G - seems to get good reviews and is $69 here = 40 UK pounds. Is that a good deal?

Thanks
 
RickT said:
Could I buy the modem/router in USA before returning to UK? Something like the Lynksis WRT54G - seems to get good reviews and is $69 here = 40 UK pounds. Is that a good deal?

Thanks
Click to expand...

That will work fine here, but if you go the ADSL route you'll still need an ADSL modem to connect up. If you go the Cable route, then you can just plug straight into the Linksys box.
 
tzibo said:
That will work fine here, but if you go the ADSL route you'll still need an ADSL modem to connect up. If you go the Cable route, then you can just plug straight into the Linksys box.
Click to expand...

Can I get a combined ADSL modem & router? Seems easier to have one box than two!
 
Applespider said:
Yes... and you can get a combined ADSL wireless router which makes it even easier...
Click to expand...

Care to recommend any good makes & models? Ease of set-up and reliability for me are the key things I need.
 
Netgear DG834GT - set it up in 5 minutes, small, cool-running,looks good, rarely needs re-booting and very good wireless range. I'm comparing it to the Linksys WAG54G - failed during a thunderstorm (not its' fault of course) and replaced with the Netgearmodel.
Everyones got their own favourites though.
Both of these are 4 port switch, wireless, adsl, and connect using an rj11 telephone cable. You'd need a different model if you wanted a cable company to provide your internet connection.
 
tzibo said:
to add a couple more - have a look at these ones:

Speedtouch 580
Zyxel 660HW

I've got the wired equivilant (546) of the Speedtouch 580, and I've read good things about the Zyxel stuff too. :)
Click to expand...

One more thing! Do I have to pay the telephone company any monthly fee for the Broadband phone line? I think I have to pay about 40 pounds to have the line set up but is there any recurring charge at all?
 
RickT said:
One more thing! Do I have to pay the telephone company any monthly fee for the Broadband phone line? I think I have to pay about 40 pounds to have the line set up but is there any recurring charge at all?
Click to expand...

Yep, but it depends on who you go with. Most ISP's rely on BT to supply the line, so you'll pay £10.50 in line rental each month plus your broadband fee from your ISP. However this does include standard phone access too.
That £40 is for the ISP - I don't think BT charge any setup fee for the line, just the monthly fee.

People like Bulldog have done unbundling (LLU), which means they don't rely on BT for the line. So often they have cheaper deals on the line rental - you'd have to check. However, with the cheapness can come issues apparently.
 
If cable is available in your area then get cable. I pay £35 a month for a 10mbit connection with Telewest/Blueyonder, NTL have anounced a similar service for early 2006. It'll probably take BT till 2008 to get to that, the dinosaur that it is.
 
tzibo said:
Yep, but it depends on who you go with. Most ISP's rely on BT to supply the line, so you'll pay £10.50 in line rental each month plus your broadband fee from your ISP. However this does include standard phone access too.
That £40 is for the ISP - I don't think BT charge any setup fee for the line, just the monthly fee.

People like Bulldog have done unbundling (LLU), which means they don't rely on BT for the line. So often they have cheaper deals on the line rental - you'd have to check. However, with the cheapness can come issues apparently.
Click to expand...


BT charge about £75 for line connection plus whatever is left of the month's rental.

Don't go with Bulldog. Please. Save yourself the hassle.
 
AlBDamned said:
BT charge about £75 for line connection plus whatever is left of the month's rental.
Click to expand...
I think that is just if it's a brand new line. If the line is active but just not being charged to anyone (i.e. there is tone if you plug a phone in), then I think it's free.

As for BT increasing speeds - well the MaxADSL trial (8mb) is going on at the moment with BT and LLUs too. F2S already have peeps on 8mb in certain exchanges. Plus Easynet are aiming to get 24mb out with more providers (F2S are still reckoning early next year for 24mb with Easynet, and BE reckon they can do it now).

Cable would be a good choice, if it wasn't NTL running it (as it will be for all of it with today's announcement). They rank up there with Bulldog for me :rolleyes:
 
tzibo said:
I think that is just if it's a brand new line. If the line is active but just not being charged to anyone (i.e. there is tone if you plug a phone in), then I think it's free.

As for BT increasing speeds - well the MaxADSL trial (8mb) is going on at the moment with BT and LLUs too. F2S already have peeps on 8mb in certain exchanges. Plus Easynet are aiming to get 24mb out with more providers (F2S are still reckoning early next year for 24mb with Easynet, and BE reckon they can do it now).

Cable would be a good choice, if it wasn't NTL running it (as it will be for all of it with today's announcement). They rank up there with Bulldog for me :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Probably going with Zen, excellent advice up front and support Mac. I alrady have a standard phone line. Zen quoted 40 pounds for conversion to broadband (said it's what BT charge them). So if I pay the standard line rental from BT is there an additional monthly charge for broadband phone line.
Not used to all these charges in USA!!
 
Not sure what speed you're going to go with, but I'd expect the charges to look like this:

£10.50 (inc VAT) a month for the standard BT phone line rental (which you already have setup), plus any phone calls you make
£40(+VAT) one off activation for the ADSL on the BT Line
£25.52 (+VAT) a month for the Zen 1mb ADSL service.

Other ISP's offer free activation and cheaper rates, but if you're happy so far with Zen I'd stick with them. I've never heard anyone complain about their service, just their price. :)
(and why Zen insist on quoting all their home user charges without VAT I still don't know)
 
tzibo said:
Not sure what speed you're going to go with, but I'd expect the charges to look like this:

£10.50 (inc VAT) a month for the standard BT phone line rental (which you already have setup), plus any phone calls you make
£40(+VAT) one off activation for the ADSL on the BT Line
£25.52 (+VAT) a month for the Zen 1mb ADSL service.

Other ISP's offer free activation and cheaper rates, but if you're happy so far with Zen I'd stick with them. I've never heard anyone complain about their service, just their price. :)
(and why Zen insist on quoting all their home user charges without VAT I still don't know)
Click to expand...

I am also looking at F2S and waitrose - any thoughts on those two? Or other recommendations?
 
Hoef said:
Hey RickT,
How did you manage to stay for 12 yrs (greencard?) .... ? and how do you feel going back? .... Maybe personal questions but I might find myself in the same boat.
Click to expand...

Work permit -> Greencard -> Dual citizenship (before 9/11) and we have very mixed views about going back; retirement, family and aged parents are the real reasons for spending more time in UK. However, we have a condo in USA and are planning to spend 3-4 months a year here. Of course, no one knows how things will work out in the long term.
 
RickT said:
I am also looking at F2S and waitrose - any thoughts on those two? Or other recommendations?
Click to expand...

F2S - I'm with them and I've had good service. They don't really advertise Mac support, but as I understand it quite a few of their CS are well versed.

Waitrose - no idea. I imagine someone is running it for them etc - like Virgin used to run off the back of NTL equipment.

I've used Pipex before too, and they were grand.

Overall, most of the ISPs are fine if you're just doing casual web/email/music etc. People seem to get most annoyed with ISPs if they are big P2Pers or gamers, with either contention or latency issues respectively. You'll find complaints against most of their CS depts - usually as the ISP is going through growth or is just very big. This seems to be the area where you get what you pay for from Zen - good support. I guess you could class the extra cost as something like applecare - if you buy that for your Macs, you'll be happiest with Zen I'd think :)
 
RickT said:
Work permit -> Greencard -> Dual citizenship (before 9/11) and we have very mixed views about going back; retirement, family and aged parents are the real reasons for spending more time in UK. However, we have a condo in USA and are planning to spend 3-4 months a year here. Of course, no one knows how things will work out in the long term.
Click to expand...

Yeah ... When you are in the UK you'll want to go back and the other way around too... Condo is a nice solution. Goodluck!
 
A further 2 cents: Been with F2S for about two weeks now and it's been faultless, running at 1.89 - 1.98 MBPs for the whole time with no droputs. Service can be upgraded to 8MBS from next week for a one-off fee of £15. Very impressed with them so far.
 
AlBDamned said:
A further 2 cents: Been with F2S for about two weeks now and it's been faultless, running at 1.89 - 1.98 MBPs for the whole time with no droputs. Service can be upgraded to 8MBS from next week for a one-off fee of £15. Very impressed with them so far.
Click to expand...

Thanks - it's between Zen and F2S I think. Question I have to answer is whether the extra cost of Zen is worth it for their Mac support!
 
Hoef said:
Yeah ... When you are in the UK you'll want to go back and the other way around too... Condo is a nice solution. Goodluck!
Click to expand...

That's the conundrum! When we first moved to USA we missed a lot about the UK. Gradually over time we began to appreciate life here more - while still missing aspects of the UK. Recently when we went back for vacations we found ourselves getting irritated by the crowds, traffic, rudeness and crime while loving other things, however, we were always pleased to return to USA.
Hence our half-and-half solution while we decide!!
 
AlBDamned said:
A further 2 cents: Been with F2S for about two weeks now and it's been faultless, running at 1.89 - 1.98 MBPs for the whole time with no droputs. Service can be upgraded to 8MBS from next week for a one-off fee of £15. Very impressed with them so far.
Click to expand...


I am interested in joining f2s when I make the switch, and networking it using airport express. I was just wondering, what broadband modem do you use with your mac? thanks :)
 
al3000 said:
I am interested in joining f2s when I make the switch, and networking it using airport express. I was just wondering, what broadband modem do you use with your mac? thanks :)
Click to expand...


I'm using a D-Link G604T wireless. Was £65 and is the second one I've bought. The first one I bought and set up my ex-flatmate actually paid for so she rightfully took it when we moved.

Wireless range is not spectacular unless you've got a clear line of sight,but it's more than suitable for our apartment and both units I have used have worked faultlessly.

Highly recommend.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back