Moving to the UK... advice needed

[whocares]

Oxford area.

So what do you guys and gals recommend for:

1. DSL
Best ISP?
I don't won't any USB modem sh*t. Do any ISPs offer Ethernet modems or do I need to purchase one seperatly?
What about DSL+phone deals?

2. Mobile phone
Which operator would you recommend? I would need a max of 2hours/month - no text.

3. Who's a good bank?
I've been told HSBC and RBS are good. Do you agree?

4. Any advice on insurance (car + home)?


Thanks for your help/advice. Anything else you think might be useful to know is most welcome.

I understand the closest Apple Store is in London?

 

[carpe diem]

Try demon BB i think you need a seperate ethernet modem.
Use RBS/Halifax
Use T-Mobile
Cant help on insurance though.
Any other questions jsut ask away.
Also where are you moving from?

 

[carpe diem]

Oh and use the oxford circus tube station t get to the Apple Store

 

[jonme]

I use Demon myself and they are pretty much ok, they dont cap downloads as most isp's here do. If you are in a cable area, then NTL and Telewest seem to be the best option in terms of speeds. I think they are moving to 10mbit connections.

Most ISP's supply a usb modem as standard so best to buy one yourslelf.
Netgear DG834G is good all in one solution.
A good site for this stuff is http://www.adslguide.org

As for banks, depends on whether you want a high street bank or internet/telephone bank. If the latter, I would recommend First Direct for helpfullness and decent rates, they are part of the HSBC group.

Insurance - Direct Line has always been cheapest for me for car/home insurance, they are one of the biggest insurers.

Mobile Phone - O2, Vodafone and Orange have the best coverage, with T Mobile an also ran in my opinion. Very competitive market over here so difficult to give a preference. O2 usually best with inclusive minutes/text.

Not many Apple stores over here at the moment so i guess London would be the nearest.

 

[whocares]

Also where are you moving from?

France. Am used to >10Mbit+ DSL + ethernet modem + unlimited bandwidth + unlimited national phone calls for .... [drum rolls] .... 29,90 €/month (circa £21).
_____

-all
thanks for the advice. Keep it coming

 

[XIII]

If you want fast dsl check out ukonline, if normal, then Pipex or Demon are good. Phone.. I always like 02 or Orange. Bank.. suprisingly often the best deals can be found with Halifax. Enjoy the UK..

 

[whocares]

Enjoy the UK..

Thanx. I could be snobbish, chauvinistic and French and say that the UK will suck after France, but I am in fact British and know what to expect. Just haven't lived there for the last 20 years... Should be fun.

 

[Ryvita]

We have Telewest for "all"...TV, Internet and Telephone. Can come cheap...but the best is their broadband service. Since I started I got updated for "free" two or three times. From 500ish to 4meg now.
They offer (as others I guess) packages for cheap international calls...
I heard of some website, that could help to chose...but can't remember now. Something with switch us...???

Wow! What a helpfull post!

 

[maya]

Thanx. I could be snobbish, chauvinistic and French and say that the UK will suck after France, but I am in fact British and know what to expect. Just haven't lived there for the last 20 years... Should be fun.

Don't do it, I hope it's not too late. j/ks

Enjoy your new future, and hope the move goes as smooth as possible. I just moved recently and I wish it could have been more smoother.

Best of luck.

 

[JW8725]

Oxford...hmm nice area but Newcastle is where its at. You'd love the Jordies living nearer inner city.

 

[AlBDamned]

Try demon BB i think you need a seperate ethernet modem.
Use RBS/Halifax
Use T-Mobile
Cant help on insurance though.
Any other questions jsut ask away.
Also where are you moving from?

I thought you lived in Vietnam?