Changing Broadband
Posted: Tue 25 March, 2008 Filed under: Customer Services, Domestic, Geeky 9 Comments »Since March 12th, I haven’t been able to send email from home. BT Broadband have an issue with SMTP servers, and still can’t actually tell me when it’s going to be fixed. (Supposedly it ‘might’ be in the next 24-48 hours, but they can’t guarantee it, and can’t really say what the problem is either.)
So I’m going to be looking at changing my broadband provider. Currently we’re considering either Tiscali or Sky (as we use them for TV service anyway) as the best options for the area. Of course, first I need to get an MAC code from BT Broadband so I can move easily, and tell them where to shove their ‘service’.
Mind you, it does mean it’s likely to cost me less, which is a bonus.
As a stop gap, give me a shout if you need an SMTP server: I have one that (in theory) accepts AUTH and will relay for you if I tell it to.
Go with Sky!
(ummmm so I can find out what they are like and possibly switch to them myself… lol)
Hmmm, looks like Sky would cost us £17 a month (Their Broadband Connect package) rather than the advertised £10 per month one.
So Tiscali it’s likely to be, unless I find something better rapidly.
Let’s face it, BT toss up the slightest thing (or, in my case of moving house recently, several things).
Have you checked MSE? http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-broadband
I suggest you use Gmail to run all your POP/IMAP email, of course in the meantime if SMTP is down it wont help you. Just a heads up for the future.
I’ve been with Virgin for a while now and they are ridiculously expensive so I’m looking for a cheap broadband deal. I know Tiscali have a low cost one, but BT also have a cheap broadband deal, plus I think it comes with a few extras.
If I end up with BT I hope they fix this SMTP issue.
I won’t use Google to manage POP/IMAP mail, because I don’t need to – all the domains I own have their own POP/IMAP servers anyway, it was just the outgoing SMTP that needed to be dealt with.
Incoming doesn’t cause me any problems – I use Outlook or Thunderbird (depending on the computer I’m using at the time) to manage all the mail. The outgoing was a problem as BT insisted on using their server – although, as in the following post, I’ve now got it sorted by setting up an SMTP server through one of my hosting providers.
Personally, I wouldn’t touch BT again until they showed signs of deciding what they want to do with regard to this email issue. Of course, if you’re just starting out, and are happy with an email address @btinternet.com then you’re fine. It’s just if you have multiple emails and accounts that BT’s current ‘service’ sucks balls.
I’d advise you to avoid Tiscali. Their customer service is apparently very poor, and they are the kind of ISP that make your life a nightmare when you try to leave.
I didn’t have much trouble leaving Tiscali (except that they needed prompting to stop trying to take money from me), but I can confirm that their customer service and tech support are terrible.