Weekly Broadband News Roundup (2nd May 08)

By Neil Hawkins Senior Staff Writer Friday, 2 May 2008

Featured Broadband Providers This Week Compare the broadband packages of: Compare broadband packages from Tiscali Compare broadband packages from Virgin Media Compare broadband packages from Plusnet Compare broadband packages from O2 Broadband Related Broadbands News See our other recent related news stories: Tiscali awarded best customer service award In the surprise of the decade, Tiscali has scooped an award for best customer service broadband. How they beat the likes of O2 Broadband, Eclipse, Zen and Madasafish we do not know. Broadband News Roundup (25 Apr 08) NEIL Hawkins' weekly broadband news roundup reveals that one in four of us are overpaying for our broadband, BT Total is giving a free wireless home hub with their cheapest broadband package and surprise, surprise: we're not getting the broadband speeds we pay for. Broadband News Roundup (18 Apr 08) NEIL Hawkins' looks back at the week's broadband news and discovers the government does nothing about Phorm, BT's high speed broadband mix up and how working from home can, er, make you go blind.

WELL don’t say that we never bring you any good news because this week there’s no end of freebies or price cuts to distract you from the excitement of the London Mayor elections! Check out the goodies below!

Tiscali takes Broadband to new Low, Prices that is!

ADDICTED to price cutting doesn’t have a medical term yet but perhaps Tiscalitis would be a suitable one.

The cheap broadband provider has sneaked out a temporary offer cutting its discounted £6.49 deal (we’ve all seen the TV ads) to a mere £4.49 until the end of May.

The small 8Gb usage allowance on the package has been lifted and it now comes with unlimited bandwidth, albeit with a fair usage policy applying.

So what’s the catch?

Well you do have to subscribe to Tiscali's phone package too but this gives you free weekend UK and international calls included in the price, whlist your line rental remains with BT.

It’s a good broadband deal but Tiscali’s customer service has been questioned in the past so if you’re thinking of signing up have a look at our Tiscali review page for some useful guidance.

The broadband firm’s price cut makes this the cheapest broadband we’ve ever seen but remember that after the first three months the price goes up to £12.99.

All Setanta Sport channels Free this Weekend on Virgin Media

WE recently highlighted how Virgin Media was good for giving its customers freebies and if you find yourself indoors this weekend, have managed to avoid DIY and are partial to a bit of sport then they’ve got the perfect offering for you.

Over Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday the Setanta Sports package will be available to all customers for free.

Normally £9.99 per month the Setanta bundle includes Setanta Sports 1 and 2 alongside Setanta Golf, and specialist footie-fan channels Arsenal TV, Celtic TV, Rangers TV and Liverpool TV.

So, if you’re that way inclined you can grab a beer for Bolton vs Sunderland on Saturday and then settle down with some cucumber sandwiches and a flask of tea whilst watching some Indian Premier League cricket on Sunday.

Although with recent reports of players slapping each other in the face rather than shaking hands you might want to get on the beer instead.

Virgin Media also announced this week that it has introduced free access to a full screen, full qualtiy BBC iPlayer via its interactive service.

This is an attractive offering as it gives customers access to all iPlayer content without having to use up peak time broadband usage allowances, meaning faster access for more of the time.

This is especially important as Virgin Media are considered to have some of the harsher traffic management policies compared to other broadband providers.

PlusNet increases Usage allowances but not prices

MORE good news for broadband users this week as top-notch broadband provider Plusnet announced that it was increasing the peak time usage limits on all but one of its broadband packages.

Plusnet Broadband Your Way Option 2 has had an increase from 8-15Gb, Option 3 from 20-30Gb and Pro from 10-15Gb.

Midnight-8am usage remains unlimited in the true sense.

PlusNet is one of our favourite broadband providers simply because they are so damn honest!

This latest move comes after PlusNet aired concerns regarding who was going to foot the bill for the increase in demand for services like BBC iPlayer and online gaming.

But with Virgin Media giving iPlayer away for free via the TV and PlusNet giving users increased bandwidth allowance it looks like the customer’s wallet is being ruled out as one remedy, at least for now.

O2 pull a fast one with new broadband offer

WELL I bet O2 Broadband had a great time sniggering behind the bike sheds as they watched us get all excited about the end of their latest offer.

Last week we wrote an article explaining the imminent end of the O2 Broadband discount, which, it turns out, is not a discount at all.

Rather it’s a permanent price cut!

They might have wrong-footed us but with the launch of their national marketing campaign and a shiny new-look website us we forgive them and still reckon they are one of the broadband top-dogs.

Woof woof.

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