Broadband Installation & Networking

For Broadband set-up, Home PC-FIX simplifies the whole process: from initial sign-up, to fitting the equipment and configuring it correctly. So you don't have to rely on long, difficult technical-support calls to India!

The most common question I'm asked is, "Who is the best provider...?" So I have compiled a list of the top ten as rated in the Which? consumer guide September 2008.

You may not have heard of many of these. That's because the bigger companies like BT, Orange, Tiscali, Talk-Talk, AOL, Virgin & Sky etc, often fall down on their customer support ; they are often too large for their own good and cannot deliver satisfactory support when things go wrong (especially when there's sometimes initial issues during the first set-up).

 There is really no need these days to pay more than £15 a month for your broadband (but don't be fooled by very low offers that only run for the first 3 months then revert back to £20 a month - check the small print). There are packages now for light users for £10 a month now, making them on par with good old dial-up. Based on the recent Which? consumer survey this year, the best provider based on customer satisfaction is Zen Internet.

For the best value it would seem to be a choice between BE, O2, Metronet and Plus Net.

If its purely broadband your after Eclipse are very good in this area, as they are relatively locally based - in Exeter (where the call-centre also is) - also having the benefit quicker access times to their servers. I have set several customers up with Eclipse, Plus-net and Nildram. I try not to show bias between these providers. But all my customers I have set up with these are satisfied them and they obtain reasonable download speeds.

Please contact me for latest pricing info for providers.

If not supplied by your provider already, I can supply and set-up a wireless router and adapter's to optimize your connection and free you up from cables. If you have special requirements such as file-sharing and network printing, I can sort all this out for you too.

Speed Problems / Connection Issues

The biggest complaint is that the connection speed provided is much lower than advertised. With the trade-description act, providers are being forced to re-word their advertising to reflect the fact that current infra-structure (especially in rural areas like this) simply cannot support higher connection speeds of up to 8Mbs. Being realistic for residential broadband in the Tamar Valley you are currently likely to obtain between 1 and 2Mbs at the telephone point of entry to your house (Master Socket) depending on your distance from the exchange. I live in Calstock and am fortunate to receive about 2Mbs, however I am aware that many users in the village connect at 1Mbs or less.

Remember there is no point ordering an expensive or "superfast" 8meg plus connection (such as that currently advertised by Talk Talk, Virgin or Bulldog). Because until the government pull their finger out and upgrade all the local phone-infrastructure - you simply won't be able to receive those speeds. It is best therefore in the Tamar Valley to go for the cheapest/basic light user option , and save yourself some cash . Even I (and I consider myself quite a heavy user with the business) do this!

Before complaining to the provider, there are some key tweaks to optimize your connection:

• Minimising the length of copper to your modem-router is critical; the best connection is obtained by having your broadband router connected directly to the master socket (usually by means of a wireless router or even better an Ethernet cable) which is at the first point of entry to the house.

• If however this is not possible. Make sure the extension wiring is good quality (very dependant on the quality of internal wiring) and minimise the connection points or junction boxes. Even better use an Ethernet cable from your broadband router to your PC.

• Try to use a good quality filter of the same make on every device plugged into a telephone point - including the Sky box and some models of burglar alarm.

• BT can also fit a special ADSL enabled socket that integrates the data and voice outputs in a single socket, saving the need for extra filters, it also includes a special backing plate (i-Plate) that filters out noise, this can be very useful in low signal areas.

• Having done all these, your provider in conjunction with BT-Open Reach should be able to carry out any physical maintenance / upgrades on the line internally and externally that should be necessary.

• Also your provider can sometimes "boost" the ADSL broadband signal strength too in low signal areas.