On 2003.09.01 09:37, abower@thebowery.co.uk wrote:
Another thing worth trying if you get desperate is try ordering "BT broadband" as they are more inclined to try and make it work (I know of someone who is much further than 5.5km from the exchange and tried ordering with other suppliers, but then when he ordered with BT they actually tried an install) or you could try http://aaisp.net which is who supplies my broadband after 4 or 5 suppliers rejected me (line was out of spec, they managed to get BT to replace the crufty wires) and that included BT.
As far as I understand it, the way the qualification check for BT ADSL works is as follows:
1. The ISP asks BT Wholesale whether ADSL would be possible on the line concerned.
2. BT Wholesale do an initial database check to see if there is any possibility of ADSL, i.e. is there a nearby enabled exchange or is the customer too far away even on paper.
3. If the initial database check is sucessful then a line test is done to see whether ADSL is likely to work.
4. As a result of 2 and 3 above BT Wholesale returns one of three answers to the ISP:
red - BT Wholesale beleive ADSL is impossible on this line and will refuse any order to install it.
amber - BT Wholesale can't be sure if ADSL will work on this line so will only attempt to install ADSL at the ISP's risk, i.e. if the ISP agrees to pay even if, after installation, it doesn't work.
green - BT Wholesale are confident ADSL will work on this line and will install ADSL on request at BT's risk, i.e. if, after installation, it doesn't work BT will either repair the line so it does work or not charge the ISP for the installation.
So, the big difference is how the ISPs handle the amber cases - some are prepared to take more risk than others.
Steve.