There is no problem as such but a few questions i would like to ask so not sure if this is the right section.
Im currently on an old package from when Orange used to be wanadoo which is 1mb/30gb limit for the ridiculous price of £29.99 a month (i know tell me about it).
However i've had a call from Orange today asking me if i would like to upgrade to 8MB for £24.99. They told me if i upgrade it will take 7-8 days to receive the livebox & a further 20 working days for the upgrade of 8mb to take place (well atleast i think thats what they said). They also assured me that i would not be without internet throughout this process.
I do though have a few questions i would like to ask & thought i would be better asking here for info as im sure you all already know about the poor phone support.
1. When the live box arrives i was told i should install it with the cd etc & then wait for the upgrade but what i would like to know is do i HAVE to install the livebox? I already have a wireless router installed (Belkin router) & everything is running fine & to be honest do not want to have to go through any unnecessary hassel if what i have is fine (if it's not broke don't fix it springs to mind) if my router is ok would this literally mean waiting for the upgrade?
2. Would i still be able to use the free calls etc or would i need the livebox for this?
3. If i was to go ahead with the upgrade would i not lose my internet access like they said? Also i assume if i did install the livebox it will still use my 1mb connection until its 8mb is in place?
Im sure there's more questions i would like to ask but can't remember at the moment so any help with the above would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by AdamF on Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:48 am; edited 2 times in total
1. i'm not entirely sure, but i don't see why it wouldn't work... our livebox is just plugged in through a normal whatever network cable into a splitter thing... i think it should be ok, but i ain't entirely sure though, so don't hold me to it...
2. i think you need the livebox for this as you plug the phone into the livebox to get it to work... (you also have to use a different phone number and have to dial the areacode etc aswell everytime... i've never used it personally...)
3. Technically, you shouldn't lose connection, but this is orange we're talking about... For the next 10days-2 weeks after upgrading, it will quite probably be quite dodgy... we upgraded our speed and for the next couple weeks teh internet cut out for like 5 seconds a couple times a day and sometimes it just slowwed right down untill it had stopped... but it didn't happen for very long...
the one thing is, doesn't this lock you into another 12 month contract or whatever...?
I'm confused why the OP needs a new livebox anyway. My wanadoo one was fine when they became Orange. Sounds like he's just gone out of contract and they are trying to make him feel special - this upgrade will mean another 18 month contract
You mention price being ridiculous. Ask for your MAC code (if you are out of contract) - they will probably reduce your monthly bill to £20. If you don't use VOIP though I'd recommend going to another ISP. Don't be drawn in to "free 6 months" - I never let that conversation go any further - it probably means "6 months free, followed by another 18 months paid"
_________________ Ex Orange Customer
Now the future definately is bright
Thankyou both for your replys, the sales person is due to phone me in about 15 or so mins & think im going find out if im tied into another lengthy contract & ask for more time to think about it. Im really not sure if i was to change which broadband provider to go with, any recommendations?
eh... PlusNet seems good... haven't got any experience with them but they basically won all teh awards from uswitch that Orange lost... 9 out of 12 of them i think... they seem good value and stuff...
eh... PlusNet seems good... haven't got any experience with them but they basically won all teh awards from uswitch that Orange lost... 9 out of 12 of them i think... they seem good value and stuff...
thanks i will have a look.
I just spoke to the sales person on the phone & i will be entering another 18 month contract if i was to upgrade so im definatly having second thoughts now.
I can recmommend both o2 (now Sky) and Idnet from my own experience, after leaving the nightmare Orange.
Both of these have been absolutely fantastic and sorted any problems out within minutes as opposed to months.
They both have English speaking, free customer support that is both knowledgable and helpful.
The main thing is their services though - fast, reliable, not fixed into 18 month contracts and they genuinely care.
Joined: 13 Aug 2006Posts: 1689Location: Marylebone Central London
I would also recommend o2 (now Sky) Bethere and IDNet, i definately wouldn't enter into another contract with Orange no matter what they offer.
Migration is easy these days and quick with no downtime longer than an hour at the most.
Good luck
_________________ ex Freeserve/Wanadoo/Orange Blog
So im looking into other packages as we speak & o2 (now Sky) looks promising as im already an o2 (now Sky) contract mobile user which means its even cheaper.
So what would be the process now? Do i get my MAC code from Orange & then sign up to o2 (now Sky)? I do alot online & having interent access is important to me so would i still have Orange interent until the o2 (now Sky) one is up & running etc or as soon as i request my MAC code from Orange will they cut me off?
Request MAC Code from Orange which legally should arrive within 5 days (ask for it by email to make copy and paste easier)
Input details onto o2 (now Sky) website
Await arrival of o2 (now Sky) Router (or you can use your own if you like)
Once activated ring Orange to give 30 days notice to close down your account - there is no way out of this. You will be paying for a months service, and may have another month's service debited too, but this will be recredited
Your downtime will be minimal on your o2 (now Sky) activation day (which you can see from your account) - mine was done in the middle of the night. You won't be disappointed with the performance of your internet. In fact, if internet is important to you, all the more reason to migrate IMO. o2 (now Sky) Customer support are superb too. Let us know how you get on
_________________ Ex Orange Customer
Now the future definately is bright
Joined: 13 Aug 2006Posts: 1689Location: Marylebone Central London
Just to add that if Orange give you any crap regarding the MAC (ie: any excuses to delay giving you one) let them know that your aware of the MAC process and the rules regarding acquiring one.
Good luck hope all goes well
_________________ ex Freeserve/Wanadoo/Orange Blog
Thanks Sweeperdog, Steve & everyone else for your help its very much appreciated & your quicky replys have been excellent.
Since my last post i've been doing nothing but reading as much as i can about o2 (now Sky) & nothing is stopping me now by the looks of things people's general reviews are brilliant & so is the price, £15 for 20mb!!!
So after research & a little help from you guys would this be the correct way of doing things:
4. Receive router package from o2 (now Sky) but DO NOT install router or cd from o2 (now Sky) just yet
5. Countinue to use the poor service from Orange until activation email or text arrives from o2 (now Sky) to say the account/line is ready.
6. When activation message arrives from o2 (now Sky) call Orange for the LAST TIME (i never thought that day would come) & give 30days notice to cancel account.
7. Unplug my belkin router from PC
8. Smile like a kid at christmas & open the o2 (now Sky) starter pack with shaking hands & install new router/cd
9. Enjoy new broaband & decent customer support with o2 (now Sky)
10. Come back here & let you guys know how i got on & help others move from the crap provider that be Orange!
Thanks again for your help.
Regards
Adam
P.S What sort of speed are you getting from o2 (now Sky) & what package you on?
P.P.S Sorry if this sounds stupid by why should i not cancel with Orange before o2 (now Sky) is activated?
That sums it up nicely. My personal opinion is to not use the o2 (now Sky) CD either unless you really want to - just plug and go (which is what I do if I have to call tech support - otherwise I use my own Netgear). You will probably notice you're activated before the text message from o2 (now Sky) arrives telling you the same - I think they wait for the job to be marked complete by BT before they send this text
Your speed will vary depending on distance from exchange. I personally am synching at around 11MB (about 1.5-2 miles from exchange). Stevelondon is much higher, but he's much closer to the exchange for example. o2 (now Sky) are very good at only giving you the package at which they think you're line will support - e.g. I am paying for the "up to 16MB service" rather than up to 20 MB. If you find for some reason you need to adjust your speed, o2 (now Sky) will gladly do this without tying you into a new contract
I wouldn't cancel with Orange before it's activated in case something goes wrong with the migration. e.g. the MAC code may not work for example, which may mean waiting for the broadband to be ceased, and then re-provisioned again which would result in no internet for about 10 days (once a MAC code has been issued, it is valid for 30 days and a new one can't be issued until the old one has expired)
_________________ Ex Orange Customer
Now the future definately is bright
That sums it up nicely. My personal opinion is to not use the o2 (now Sky) CD either unless you really want to - just plug and go (which is what I do if I have to call tech support - otherwise I use my own Netgear).
When you say CD do you mean there router? If so why?
sweeperdog wrote:
Your speed will vary depending on distance from exchange. I personally am synching at around 11MB (about 1.5-2 miles from exchange). Stevelondon is much higher, but he's much closer to the exchange for example.
Well im about the same distance to my nearest exchange so hopefully if i do choose to go with o2 (now Sky) i get promising speeds like yourself.
sweeperdog wrote:
o2 (now Sky) are very good at only giving you the package at which they think you're line will support - e.g. I am paying for the "up to 16MB service" rather than up to 20 MB. If you find for some reason you need to adjust your speed, o2 (now Sky) will gladly do this without tying you into a new contract
On the o2 (now Sky) site when i got through the process of ordering broadband they mention that i can get all 3 packages but do not specify which they think will be best. Unless im doing this wrong how did they do this for you? was it on the phone or...?
sweeperdog wrote:
I wouldn't cancel with Orange before it's activated in case something goes wrong with the migration. e.g. the MAC code may not work for example, which may mean waiting for the broadband to be ceased, and then re-provisioned again which would result in no internet for about 10 days (once a MAC code has been issued, it is valid for 30 days and a new one can't be issued until the old one has expired)
Sorry i might not understand what you mean here so please correct me if im wrong. So if this MAC code i get from Orange happens not to work & i cancel my Orange before my o2 (now Sky) broadband is activated then your saying i might have to wait for the broadband to be ceased? Then re-provisioned again?
So when switching from one provider to another what happens? Do Orange or BT order a cease on my broadband & then it gets re-provisioned by either o2 (now Sky) or BT? When you get issued a MAC code does it automically order a cease on your line?
Joined: 13 Aug 2006Posts: 1689Location: Marylebone Central London
Do It as sweeperdog said get your MAC give it to o2 (now Sky) and when your line is activated with o2 (now Sky) and your up and running ring Orange and cancel your account, that way you won't have any downtime or at the most an hour, if you cancel before hand o2 (now Sky) will not accept your MAC.
Do not cancel your Orange broadband until the migration is complete.
When you get the router from o2 (now Sky) you don't have to use the cd if you don't want to if you connect the router up it will already be configured for o2 (now Sky) network and will connect ok, to get into the router you can just type in the browser address bar 192.168.1.254.
_________________ ex Freeserve/Wanadoo/Orange Blog
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
