SKY is a ripoff IMHO

[Smithy99]

Yes, it is the only one but it is also has the biggest customer base and so affects more customers than all the other BB packages you have put together. By describing it as the only one makes it sound like a small issue.

The state it is in now and has been for a few years is a travesty and there should be some action taken by the regulators due to the poor and misrepresented service that actualy does not do what they advertise.

[SkyCST]

Definately it can somtimes be the worst service imaginable.

And it does affect many customers, however saying that most customer issues with connect isnt speed but something else affecting the connection.

Granted there are a fair amount that do recieve a very poor service, but weighed with people that have a service which works perfectly well for them without issues.

Yes before you reply saying loads of people moan about how shocking the speeds are, yes they do. No doubt about it. But you will also see posters who are quite happy with the connect.

Something does definately need to be done, in my eyes sky should step up and upgrade every possible exchange they can.

[Smithy99]

But you will also see posters who are quite happy with the connect.

I don't remember one over the last year or so.

Something does definately need to be done, in my eyes sky should step up and upgrade every possible exchange they can.

They don't need to upgrade every exchange, a quick fix would be to buy more capacity and manage the network.

[Scubbie]

Something does definately need to be done, in my eyes sky should step up and upgrade every possible exchange they can.

Granted that this is something that would be very beneficial to Sky's customer base. It would also be a good idea for them to consider adding a 2nd LLU unit to some telephone exchanges too.

There are a handful of telephone exchanges where their existing equipment is over subscribed. An additional unit IMHO would be beneficial in those locations.

In the mean time, some exchanges will never be upgraded because Ofcom has designated them as too small to allow for competitors to fit their equipment.

The race is on though. TalkTalk (2006 +13 pending) & Orange (1867) have both manage to install their equipment in more locations than Sky (1564). AOL (1253) & O2 (1254) aren't too far behind.

[SkyCST]

There is definatly a lot out there to be had.
This is why Sky need to jump on it and get it done.

Of course like mentioned they wont be able to do every exchange, but if they start rolling it out fast it will greatly improve things for everyone, not just the customer.

[reddwarfcrew]

In the mean time, some exchanges will never be upgraded because Ofcom has designated them as too small to allow for competitors to fit their equipment.

Really, what does OfCom care if a provider wants to put their own equipment in?

[Scubbie]

Really, what does OfCom care if a provider wants to put their own equipment in?

From the pages of SamKnows:

What is the OFCOM market classification?


In May 2008 Ofcom announced that they would be deregulating 70% of the UK's broadband market. The full 115 page document outlining the reasoning and methodology can be found here (Mirrored here).

Within this document Ofcom has defined four classifications to be applied to exchange areas (see page 32). These are:

• Market 1 - Exchanges where the incumbent operator (BT Wholesale) is the only provider of broadband services
• Market 2 - Exchanges where two or three operators provided broadband services (including BT)
• Market 3 - Exchanges where four or more operators provided broadband services
• Hull area - Exchanges in Hull are served only by Kingston Communications

The Market 3 exchanges are the ones that the deregulation applies to. Ofcom deemed that there was sufficient competition in these areas to keep prices at a reasonable level whilst also driving innovation.

Should Ofcom change their regulations, then I am sure that other providers will change their policies.

Nothing is written in concrete these days, and even when it is, it can be demolished.

[Undecided Adrian]

The race is on though. TalkTalk (2006 +13 pending) & Orange (1867) have both manage to install their equipment in more locations than Sky (1564). AOL (1253) & O2 (1254) aren't too far behind.

Orange doesn't count any more as it is leaving the Broadband market, due to the exodus of customers it has had.

BT is now managing the network for them and all the LLU kit os being removed and all their customers are going onto BT products.

Loads of people are taling about it on ThinkBroadband as they were on LLU speeds now having to go back onto ADSLmax services as the kit is removed.

O2 could be one to watch out for as now Telefonica is putting in a backbone and I would expect a whole load of LLU to be done as well. They will need to change their packages though to attract people back to them.

But given that BT will offer ADSL2+ to 80% of UK households by the end of the year all the other ISP's will need to work out what they are going to do as they could be left behind.

[Scubbie]

Ouch! That is not good for anyone with Orange customer going back to the Bronze age. ISPs such as TalkTalk & Sky could have so easily snapped up the Orange equipment.

In Sky's case it would have guaranteed over 500 different exchanges could have been added overnight.

I know that Sky bought out Easynet, and I have not doubt that there were issues surrounding the purchase for both Sky & the ex-Easynet customers. This was such a wasted opportunity for further expansion IMHO.

[reddwarfcrew]

From the pages of SamKnows:


Should Ofcom change their regulations, then I am sure that other providers will change their policies.

Nothing is written in concrete these days, and even when it is, it can be demolished.

I always took that to just mean what the current state of play was. Ie if BT was the only ISP then the exchange was regulated, but not that other ISP cant put their equipment there if they want.