Posted on June 19, 2009 - by John

Broadband in Ireland – UPC need a kick up the arse!

UPC Broadband was great, but for the last 2-3 months it has been on and off for me, so after 4 engineers and 10+ calls, I cancelled it in a a fit of despair today.

I was paying them for 20MB at 48 euro, and getting 2-3 MB when it worked over the past 2 months before that I was getting great speeds in fairness to the company, and as I had friends using it also, it was a good deal!

It seemed like UPC could just not  give me an answer as to why it was no longer working. I did however get a ‘pick and mix’ of ‘answers’ such as: the modem not working (it was), congestion on the line, the line is being repaired today, there are too many users in your block of flats, one engineer told me they were waiting on planning permission to repair a line, one told me they were replacing those lines – the day after it was working again, the day after that it went down again.  Two promised to call me back ,and never did, although one guy did when I asked for his name when logging the call. The automated callback guy called me (as they normally do to confirm an appointment, a great service really – if used correctly) and said, “I understand your issue has been resolved, is this correct”…??? NO!

Expensive broadband in Ireland

Little did I realise, when I cancelled UPC  how expensive broadband DSL still is today. All the adverts made me believe that it was now inexpensive. But when you remove all the addons (or bundles), add the VAT, and throw on the line rental you are left with the real prices.

I am willing to spend 40-45 max on DSL broadband (I don’t have cable TV anymore -so I need a good connection for on demand and youtube). And I am not interested in land-line calls, a mobile phone is more than enough for me there.

After calling eircom to connect the line (25 a month – unless you select a package, and until you move to your broadband provider). I am left with these options, when I stay in the 40 euro area and remove anything to do with making a landline phone call.

Smart Telecom – 5 MB for 41 euro
Eircom – 1MB for 45 euro
Digiweb: 7MB for 40 euro. (Activation Fee€49.95)

* All prices include line rental i’m told.

Digiweb a possible winner?

Ideas & suggestions welcome, as it will take Eircom until July 3rd to turn on the line!

Related posts:

1. O2 Prepay / Top Up Mobile Broadband
2. 3 mobile Ireland gets preferred tenderer for national broadband Scheme
3. Three Mobile Ireland: If you move to Three what will you miss
4. Irish Broadband mess up (again)
5. Why the Irish Mobile Networks need a kick up the arse