Brilliant Broadband (02 Broadband)

Member Name: Ghumphrey

Product:	02 Broadband
Date:	08/09/09 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap and works like it should. Aslo available in Northern Ireland too.

Disadvantages: None so far

O2 Broadband

I recently moved house and decided that I didn't really need sky TV anymore. As they were my previous broadband providers it meant I had to look for a new supplier. I decided to look on Doo Yoo at some broadband reviews. Following that and a bit of research I decided to opt of O2 Broadband.

What is O2 Broadband?

O2 broadband is basically how I get my internet. For an excellent price of just £7.34 a month I get unlimited access to the internet. I took out a twelve month deal at that price. It's called the o2 standard package and it included a free modem/router and one years anti virus software.

Other packages include a premium package priced at £9.79 and a pro package priced at £17.13. As my phone line can only support up to 8 Meg speeds I had no need to go for any of the higher speeds. The package prices also relate to O2 customers only and are slightly more expensive if you're not an o2 customer. I have a pay as you go phone and this enabled me to the get the reduced rate. I also got the first two months free but I notice this is now increased to the first three months free for new customers.

My opinion

I have had this product now for about a month and following a few small teething problems I am now totally happy with it. The price is excellent seeing as I know plenty of people who are paying over £20 a month for the same broadband.

The broadband itself was very easy to set. O2 kept me informed throughout the whole process and sent me a text once the line had been activated telling me I could now go online. The modem arrived with a set up CD which was easy to follow and set up took no more than ten minutes.

Initially I was disappointed with the speed of the internet. It was ok for surfing but would not have been good enough for streaming or Xbox live. I did a speed check and found I was only getting just over 1meg. I decided to contact o2 broadband support (which was free) and ask them to check the line. The customer service was excellent. I wasn't put through to India and instead had a pleasant Scottish chap who was able to talk me through a number of different options to try. Basically it was resetting the modem etc. Eventually he asked me to remove the faceplate from my master phone socked and plug the internet directly into it. I did that and low and behold I now have over 6 Meg speeds which is pretty decent seeing as the maximum I could have got was 8Meg.

I also set up a wireless network using the free router supplied. I wanted to connect a pc on the first floor. The wireless set up was very easy but the box supplied by o2 didn't give a great signal. I was able to connect but it was again very slow. As the wireless box supplied by o2 is both a modem and a router it meant that I would need to use it. In order to boost the wireless strength I decided to add my belkin router to the setup. Effectively I have two routers but the difference in signal strength has been unbelievable and I am now more than happy with my broadband at £7/month.

I must also point out I live in Northern Ireland and until doing some research I didn't realise that we could get o2 broadband over here. I for one am very glad that I got it and would recommend it to anyone especially if they are trying to reduce costs.

Summary: Best buy of 2009