I spent half of Sunday trying to choose the future Internet provider. I wouldn?t have to, but the guys need to know which wall plug is to be moved close to the computer, and as usual they need to know it just now.
The problem turned out to be like a puzzle. All the components dependant on each other. On top of that, the providers seem to be trying to make comparison as difficult as possible.
But in the end, I reached the following preliminary results:
TPSA (Telekomunikacja, Polish telecom): in the beginning I had high hopes for them, because of their new ?multipacket? offering. Includes TV and is wi-fi (livebox) enabled by default. But then it turns out that the basic TV packet is quite poor, and together with its upgrade, the TP option becomes the most expensive. Even leaving aside the (in)famous quality of service. But still a nice try, as for TPSA. Let?s hope for better.
UPC made a good impression. Seems good price for value as far as broadband. But TV has quite limited collection of foreign channels, no French or Russian ones, and no Italian (but no one has Italian channels). I would go for it if I decided not to have a cable TV in the beginning (which makes quite a lot of sense considering that I will not have a TV).
Astercity rules as far as TV offer. They have the most comprehensive set of foreign channels including some Russian and French. Even though no Italian.
But quite pricey, too, and I will have to confirm the wi-fi thing. It may require to have a 2mbs link in order to be allowed to split the signal. And this kind of link is not exactly cheap.
So the conclusion: UPC has a nice net, Aster a good TV, while TP a slow net, few TV channels and of course the most expensive fixed line. Read: move the TV plug.
Not all Sunday was wasted in ISPs, however, because the rest of it was wasted on finding stuff like WC brush and towel hooks. Yes working on a new apartment is a pure pleasure. This month I just have to write off.