O2 Ultimate Broadband

Review of O2 Broadband Ultimate

STOP PRESS 1! All setup and activation fees for O2 broadband have been waived until 31/06/08!

STOP PRESS 2! O2 Broadband is offering a 50 day moneyback guarantee on this package, so you can truly try before you buy!

STOP PRESS 3! If you are an O2 pay monthly mobile customer (or are planning to switch to O2 mobile soon to get the iPhone) you get this package for £5 a month less!

IN so many ways, O2 has always under-promised, then over-delivered (look, for example, at how they have turned around the Millenium Dome) and with its new top-end broadband package, O2 has done it again.

And we can't stop talking about it!

For O2 and Non-O2 customers

While this O2 broadband package is available to O2 customers and non-customers alike, the massive price difference between the two (currently £5 a month less for those who pay their mobile bills to O2) clearly indicates that this package is intended for one thing only: to keep O2 mobile customers loyal.

And with an objective like that, you just know you are in for a treat!

We all know that O2 bought out high-speed broadband provider Be in 2006, and we know this O2 broadband package is built around the Be network whose unique selling point was the promise of 24Mb broadband, so why is it only promising speeds of up to 20Mb? Because O2 prefer to under-promise.

Oh, were all broadband providers like this...

Shock, horror!

So while Be Broadband promises up to 24Mb but realistically only reaches 20Mb on a good day, O2 Broadband promises up to 20Mb and, shock-horror!, actually delivers it.

Free extras

The O2 Broadband Ultimate also offers some great little extras, such as a free O2 Wireless Box which is essentially a wireless router.

There are also 100 free PC-to-mobile text messages per month and O2 customers can back up their phone contacts.

O2 Broadband also includes free McAfee security and, if you are an O2 mobile customer, your emails can be sent to your mobile phone like text messages. For free. Who needs a Blackberry?

Free UK support

Most pleasingly of all, O2 Broadband offer totally free, UK-based support.

In true, understated O2 style, you won't see the world plastered with billboards for this stupendously good value broadband package.

O2 will just gradually go about offering its excellent broadband packages to its lucky mobile customers and non-customers alike.

Value and reliability

For sheer value and reliability, we can't recommend this O2 Broadband Ultimate package enough.

Note that currently the O2 broadband area only covers 50% of UK telephone exchanges. You will be able to check this online when you sign up, or by entering your phone number and postcode on our O2 Broadband comparison page, where you can also compare O2 Broadband packages side by side.

	O2 Ultimate is currently offering FREE connection.

A little more detail

Broadband

			Special Note..	Any good?
Package Name:		Ultimate	-
Connection Type:		ADSL	-
Max Speed:		20Mb	-
Usage Limit:		Unlimited	Fair use policy applies
Hardware:		O2 wireless router	Free when you sign up online
Anti-virus Protection:		Yes	McAfee Internet Security Suite free for the first year
Firewall:		Yes	McAfee Internet Security Suite free for the first year
E-mail Account:		Yes	Up to 10 email addresses. Only as part of security/email/webspace bundle (£2 per month)
Webspace Provided:		No	-
Domain Included:		No	-
Backup Dialup:		Yes	-
Consoles Supported:		All major consoles supported	Ideal for online gaming

Payment, Installation and Contract

Payment Method(s):		Direct Debit / Credit Card
Activation Fee:		£0
Installation:		Free
Minimum Contract:		12 months
Line Rental:		BT line rental required
Support:		24/7 free-phone customer service

Actual User Ratings

At a Glance

Our Rating
Max Speed	20Mb
Usage Limit	Unlimited
Monthly Price	£20.00
Set Up Cost	Free
Min. Contract	12 months

	Bundle details:
	Phone: Not included
	TV: Not included
	Mobile: Not included

	It is best suited for:
	O2 Pay Monthly mobile customers who also want unbelievably low-cost 20Mb broadband. Also superb value for non-O2 customers.

Customer Reviews

Add your own review of O2 broadband...

Remember, the customer reviews below are subjective (and are not the opinions of ChooseISP.co.uk).

W.Maxwell from Edinburgh writes... 17/04/2008

"Nearly triple the speed of my old ISP for half the cost per month, thats good. Dont waste your time using the set up CD, connect up the router,swich it on and enter the wep password and away you go. Dont install McAfee security software, it caused severe problems with my PC. Works well with Zonealarm security suite. The O2 technical helpline is very good and it's free but god help you if you have a billing problem. When I set up the order I ported my mobile number over to O2 to take advantage of the discount being offered. When the online bill appeared they were charging me £5 too much. After many calls and assurances that it was fixed they still took too much. Suffice to say their billing department are useless. A pity really because it is really an excellent deal."