Wireless versus Ethernet Broadband

Hi Ken ... What about Vrgin are they in that area ... It is easy to Check ..

My install with EE was a nightmare, though I have to say that I Could not fault EE at all in the process, they always kept me in the loop as incident after incident happened to delay the install, all due to BT Openreach, who have a monopoly on installation of basic hardware.

I booked the install and was OK with the install date given, Openreach turned up on time and started testing my line, they found that " someone had disconnected my line at the local pole without authorisation or notification", (we have to remember that only Openreach have access),

No problem just have to re-connect - except that the pole was condemmed and would need a "cherry picker " to get to the top of the pole to do the work, Open reach could not obtain a suitable cherry picker until the next day, I rearranged my appointments to be available for the engineer to arrive at 8: am the next day, and the engineer left, ( a quick on-line check found that I could have a cherry picker on site in less than an hour from several local equipment hire companies). I let EE know of the situation.

the engineer failed to appear the next day, and on checking with EE, who checked with Openreach, found that " the customer was not prepared to be available for the return visit, and they would have to re- arrange the install", this was an obvious lie but due to the monopoly I was forced to wait for a new date.

After several "confirmed" dates which slipped from the original 4 weeks to 5 then 6 the install was finally completed 2 months after the first confirmed date, recent TV consumer show information shows that Openreach, are known for this type of thing and indeed I was one of the lucky ones with some customers in new properties waiting up to a year for completion.

EE were very good and compensated me for the issues although they were technically not responsible

Hi Ken ... I do understand there is no point in you being out any more money than you have to be ... I am sure given time you will get your issue Resolved :)

Ken,

Do you know the supplier to the current owner of your new property If it's BT or one of the 2nd tier suppliers that use BT lines, (basically all bar virgin and a few special cases), then the changes to get you connected should be a simple case of "flicking a switch" or two and reprogramming the number, so you should not have too many issues, The line is after all in and working so there is no mechanical work except maybe a new faceplate for the main socket, (for conversion from broadband to fibre).

If possible get the current owners to request a MAC (i think that's the correct term), number. which EE can use to speed up the actual transfer. It's an essential if you wanted to change providers on your existing line, and I think it's also needed for person to person transfers as yours would be

It's probably best to go at it from both ends if possible, if only to take away as many potential excuses BT Openreach can use

Things are not getting any better.

In spite of my ex-tenant requesting the removal of the restriction EE inform me it is still in place.

I decided that the BT master socket would be better re-sited from the entrance hall to the to the lounge and so rang EE again and asked if this could be achieved. They said it could at a cost £109 for the first hour and then I think £60 per hour thereafter (never asked if this included VAT) but the order couldn't be placed with BT until the 16th December. When I queried the date I was informed that there was an open restriction placed on my line at my current address and no order could be placed with BT on behalf until this was removed. I asked what an open restriction meant in plain English and was told by the EE representative that they could not tell me but I could refuse the restriction and if I did the date when orders could be placed with BT would revert to the 12th. December. Not understanding what an open restriction was I told them to refuse it and asked if the predicted reconnection date of the 30th December was still realistic I was told no the earliest reconnection could be promised was 15 working from the 12th. December which made it 6th January 2015. I had previously been told 10 working days and when you consider EE's proud boast when I signed up for fibre quote "If you give us enough notice (at least 20 days) we can make sure your broadband and Home Phone is up and running at your new address on your home move date".

When I point out To the EE representatives that the only two people in the whole world that require the services supplied by these two lines are my buyer and myself and that the whole process if overly complicated I just get stony silence and I can imagine the representative with there finger on the switch thinking make my day swear and I will switch you off. OK so I guess I am probably being paranoid. I am certainly frustrated.

I don't expect there is much help or advice you guys can give me but I do feel better for getting it off my chest. Since I am shortly going to be broadbandless until after Christmas I will wish you all a very merry Christmas and thank you all for your help. Hope to talk again in the new year.

Seasons greetings to you also Ken ... Hope to speak soon :)

Hi Ken ... Gosh your having a real bad time mate ... It may be possible to use a PCI USB Card ... Though my main concern would be what other damage has been done to the Motherboard ... That is really impossible to tell with out the proper equipment ...