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BB alternatives for smart customers?

machalla · 2006-10-03 12:32:59

Considering that it seems likely Smart Telecom will go into liquidation later today (based on news reports) what are the alternatives out there? My assumption would be that any existing customers want to maintain BB over their existing copper and not switch to wireless or similar. So the alternatives that spring to mind…

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03-10-2006 1:32pm

#1

machalla

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Considering that it seems likely Smart Telecom will go into liquidation later today (based on news reports) what are the alternatives out there?

My assumption would be that any existing customers want to maintain BB over their existing copper and not switch to wireless or similar.

So the alternatives that spring to mind are :

Esat-BT
Magnet Networks
Digiweb
UTV
(The Eirscum monopoly will not be considered)

Except for Magnet all of the available packages are Eirscum bitstream resold packages which to my knowledge are not DSL2 based in most cases.

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#2 03-10-2006 1:37pm
KTRIC

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Well I just called NTL and went back to them for BB. They're offering 6mb for €39.99 and the first 3 months are free.

Should be installed next week some time.

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#3 03-10-2006 1:50pm
watty

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BT have SOME LLUed lines. Raheen in Limerick had ADSL from Esat practically same day as Eircom DSL launch in Dublin.

Digiweb, IBB, Clearwire, Caseyvision, UPC (Chorus/NTL) etc have non-ADSL solutions. Some of these are comparable to DSL. Some arn't.

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#4 03-10-2006 2:01pm
inode

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hows IBB looking these days? as they are one of the only companies able to provide it to me now!!

or is anyone else using adsl2+ in letterkenny

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#5 03-10-2006 2:10pm
ntlbell

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IBB seems to be pretty well behaved of late.

Can we get this thread stickied?

I don't fancy going through 40k+ of smart threads.

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#6 03-10-2006 2:24pm
JJDoherty

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I would say hold out for a wee while and see how things work out. SmartTelecom have already decided to sell off their voice and pay phone business and hold on to the LLU/broadband part before any of what happened today happened. Their shareholders are probably prepared to continue to back them financially and go with this re-structuring process.

SmartTelecom and Eircom are expected to release statements later today.

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#7 03-10-2006 2:55pm
Ardent

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I'm going to wait and see what happens, Smart's broadband service is incomparable.

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#8 03-10-2006 3:02pm
inode

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i totally agree. im going to hold off to see what happens. someone is going to take the adsl2+ lines they couldnt leave them to rot. hopefully its ot eircom or someone with a cap though

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#9 03-10-2006 3:24pm
machalla

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Well we can wait but by the sound of it they are gone. Check over on this thread.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054998166&page=7

"well its completly official....
smart have gone into liquidation...
eircom are not goinf to transfers smarts lines as a good will gesture"

Someone over there is claiming to be talking to someone in smart they are friends with.

"i would say they're gone...

All the lads in smart have been told to pack their desks and leave...
For some reason i don't think they would be telling them to do that if there was an alternative..."

So barring its all rubbish (which it may be) I'd say we are all (to quote Bender) "boned".

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#10 03-10-2006 3:27pm
inode

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yup! i hope they hold onto the broadband though

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#11 03-10-2006 3:31pm
machalla

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Liquidation means gone out of business, shut down and the assets sold for whatever they can get.

Administration means run as a going concern till a buyer can be found.

So if they are liquidated then they are gone so they won't be holding onto any broadband or anything at all.

All I can say is at least its only the begining of the month so hopefully most of the staff got paid last week.

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#12 03-10-2006 3:49pm
bucks73

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Chorus are up and running in some parts of Limerick and offer 6mb for 39.99 per month and first 3 months are free. Dooradoyle definitely working.

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#13 03-10-2006 3:59pm
machalla

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Magnet are now doing a "smart telecom customers" call us thing as well. Top right of their home page.

http://www.magnet.ie/

1890 - 535353

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#14 03-10-2006 3:59pm
watty

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inode wrote:

hows IBB looking these days? as they are one of the only companies able to provide it to me now!!

or is anyone else using adsl2+ in letterkenny

NTR is not giving them any more money and they are forsale.

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#15 03-10-2006 4:14pm
RangeR

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machalla wrote:

Well we can wait but by the sound of it they are gone. Check over on this thread.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054998166&page=7

"well its completly official....
smart have gone into liquidation...
eircom are not goinf to transfers smarts lines as a good will gesture"

This may be true, it may not be. But one thing is for sure, it is NOT official. It is plain scare mungring to say otherwise.

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#16 03-10-2006 4:20pm
machalla

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Yep. That phrase about rotund females singing comes to mind. Oh well the afternoon is nearly over so I expect we will hear something official soon.

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#17 03-10-2006 4:22pm
MOH

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Ah well, too later to cancel my DD today anyway. Might be some news by tomorrow

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#18 03-10-2006 4:37pm
Blub2k4

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KTRIC wrote:

Well I just called NTL and went back to them for BB. They're offering 6mb for €39.99 and the first 3 months are free.

Should be installed next week some time.

6mb with a 40gb limit whoop-de-fcukin-doo.

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#19 03-10-2006 5:44pm
constitutionus

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i'd prefer to stick with smart cause its the best deal in town for me but if it does go i reckon its Digiweb or BT for me. christ knows im not going back to eircom.

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#20 03-10-2006 5:47pm
constitutionus

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i'd prefer to stick with smart cause its the best deal in town for me but if it does go i reckon its Digiweb or BT for me. christ knows im not going back to eircom.

check out callcost.ie, the comreg site which lists the best preformers. very handy.

*edit*damn double post , sorry

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#21 03-10-2006 10:37pm
LoBo

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Anyone apart from BT offer a 6 month contract (or none)?

We're probably only in this apartment another 6 months, most providers seem to have a friendly 12 mth contract.

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#22 03-10-2006 10:48pm
Foxwood

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LoBo wrote:

Anyone apart from BT offer a 6 month contract (or none)?

We're probably only in this apartment another 6 months, most providers seem to have a friendly 12 mth contract.

eircom and UTV both have 6 month contracts for their broadband services.

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#23 03-10-2006 10:55pm
byte

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byte

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What about those of us still under a 12 month contract with Smart Broadband? I doubt Smart will allow us to jump ship anyway, if their LLU product is still running.

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#24 04-10-2006 9:16am
watty

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IF Smart close shop next week, then that is the end of the contract. Wait and see if worried about contract.

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#25 04-10-2006 11:44am
Sam Johnston

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I just called Smart Telecom today Wednesday 3 October (we have connections in Harmonstown and Tallaght and I used one of them for the call and for this post) and got straight through to a rep who apologised and said that we would be receiving calls again within 2-3 days.

In light of all that's happened (and over what, 1.7m? ie the corporate equivalent of a cup of coffee) I'm impressed and will be standing by Smart Telecom and encouraging others to do the same. It's Eircom and ComReg along with the relevant minister(s) that should be feeling heat over this.

Remember, if you move then they win this round.

Sam

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#26 04-10-2006 12:11pm
fifth

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Move back to eircom.. I haven't had _much_ trouble with them lately. :P

A few billing errors, some horrible customer service reps, and some extremely nice ones and a good BB service - well no disconnects yet anyway since i moved house last week. It kinda balances out.

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#27 04-10-2006 12:16pm
Drongo

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I have Smart Broadband and have found it excellent so I intend to hang on until there is a full conclusion to current situation. But should the worst happen I'm considering a switch to ntl (already have their T.V. service) so I was wondering what getting their broadband entails (installation, equipment required, etc.) Anyone with ntl who could fill me in?

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#28 04-10-2006 12:26pm
Xterminator

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I have Smart too, and aprat form the getting it up and running problems I found it excellent.

so i'll be sticking with them until i'm told otherwise.

I have however cancelled my direct debit, and informed smart of this, (due to breach of contract) and told them they can bill me conventionally for the moment.

X

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#29 04-10-2006 1:46pm
art

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Sam Johnston wrote:

It's Eircom and ComReg along with the relevant minister(s) that should be feeling heat over this.

Remember, if you move then they win this round.

Sam

That's definitely the bottom line in this whole saga. I won't be rushed into anything until I get the full picture, Smart have offered me an excellent service for some time now and clearly have the best BB package on offer, but Eircom and ComReg are easily the real culprits here and ultimately ComReg for failing to execute their regulatory duties

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#30 04-10-2006 1:48pm
Blackdragon

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Xterminator wrote:

I have Smart too, and aprat form the getting it up and running problems I found it excellent.

so i'll be sticking with them until i'm told otherwise.

I have however cancelled my direct debit, and informed smart of this, (due to breach of contract) and told them they can bill me conventionally for the moment.

X

How did you go about cancellation of your DD. Via bank or via Smart telecom.

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#31 04-10-2006 1:51pm
Mountjoy Mugger

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Notify your Bank.

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