Hello everyone, I have just joined the forum. I have been coming here for a while now, but never got round to joining up.

I know it's a bit cheeky my first post being totally off topic so mods feel free to move or delete it. I thought I'd post here as it is specific to the Hull, and I suspect it may affect a few in the area. Besides, it's the off season so it's a bit quiet anyway.

I'd like to start a discussion on the state of broadband provision in Hull.

Having moved into my first house 2 years ago, I have had a less than satisfactory experience with KC, including 2 price rises for a package and speeds that are already out of line with the rest of the UK. After the first rise, I tried a Three contract with unlimited data and tethering hoping to get rid at the end of my KC contract. That was a complete failure after unuseable speeds and lies about 4G coming this year.

Then came the second rise (tomorrow) so I cancelled my contract and decided to go with EE's 4G, after seeing headlines claiming average speeds of 9mbps. I got a contract at £39 a month for 20GB which is more than enough for me. Problem is 4G speeds are terrible. During the day, best is 1-2mbps and on an evening regularly below 0.5mbps with up to 50% packet loss. Their 3G is sometimes over 10 times faster, but is not stable enough. I have contacted EE and apparently that's the best they can offer. Hardly what Mr Bacon advertises.

I've also looked at Wimax. Connexin don't cover my postcode, Purebroadband can't install till mid December and Quickline are just too expensive.

So, does anyone have any other suggestions? Apparently KC don't have a monopoly, but it doesn't feel like it to me. EE blamed KC for slow 4G speeds, and I've heard Three feel the same.

Also, for anyone in Hull with EE, what 4G speeds do you get? Particularly those in West Hull, HU5 postcode. Is it just me, because I've tried 3 different mobiles and 3 different sims all with the same results.

Get yourself to an area where KC Lightstream is available.
Had it 2 years and never had a problem plus fantastic speeds.

That just kind of proves how bad things are, that moving house is actually about the only option left open to me.

And yes, I am considering it.

I'd kill for fibre, but ADSL speeds are considered ok in my area, so be way down the list for Lightstream.

This link may be of help 'The Unofficial Karoo User Forums' karooforums.net/ Also, there is another new Hull WiFi company called Whisper broadband: wisperbroadband.com/

This link may be of help 'The Unofficial Karoo User Forums' karooforums.net/ Also, there is another new Hull WiFi company called Whisper broadband: wisperbroadband.com/

Just moving back to Hull myself soon and was looking at KC prices earlier, twice as slow and double the price I pay now.

Worst thing about Hull, KC

I've been looking at the karooforums site. I would have posted this there, but I get an error when I try to register.

Whisper is a new one to me, prices don't look the best, but better than karoo. Don't like it when they advertise unlimited downloads and then add a fup stating 250GB. Why not just say 250GB!

Have to give them a call and see if they cover my postcode.

Nobody in West Hull with EE?

My issue with KC is simply value for money. The speeds and download limits they offer are not worth the price being asked, and that price keeps going up. netindex.com has Hull 857 out of 954 in the UK, yet it is in the top 20 largest (just). Download speeds of 4 or 5 are very poor for a large city, it should be averaging 40 - 50 like our friends in Cas. Yes Lightstream is great if you are one of the lucky few to have it available, with the rollout being more of a crawl. I'll be surprised if I see it before 2020.

For comparison, if virgin media was available, speeds of up to 50 meg with unlimited downloads would cost £25.99 for first 12 months and £31.49 after. I currently get speeds of 8 meg with a 35GB limit for £32. For your £40 a month you could have speeds 20x faster with no download limit.

You have to remember the costs i give for EE includes mobile phone usage. Unlimited calls and texts on a brand new smartphone that's worth £350. I rarely use much more than 20GB anyway, so wouldn't need more unless speeds are much faster. Unfortunately, EE's 4G is broken so i've had to cancel the contract.

Just been looking at netindex again and noticed it also covers mobile broadband speeds. A quick click shows that Hull is 363 out of 368. Outstanding.

I've managed to get in touch with Wisper, they're sending an engineer next week to check coverage and install the receiver. 10 - 20Mbps claimed speeds with 350GB fair usage limit. Factoring in installation costs over 12 months works out at just over £37 a month. Over 24 months comes in cheaper than KC's cheapest deal. Although that doesn't include phone, I found I was using my mobile more than landline anyway. Also fed up of nuisance calls on landline.

I've gone with Pure.. £22.50 per month (monthly rolling contract), unlimited downloads, £95 installation fee..
A friend just got it and said its far better than Karoo but at half the cost, I don't really mind. I even get an 01482 number to use!

KC network is open to anybody, just like BT. It's not KC's fault that few deem Hull as worthwhile of investment in terms of providing alternative broadband services.

Have used KC for many years, having lived in Bristol and London. Speeds are great here in Hessle, and from next week I will have 100mb down and 10mb up via Fibre. I agree, the cost is a little higher than the rest of the UK, although pretty comparable to Virgin deals when you consider line rental is bundled with KC deals. But frankly if you had no competition through no fault of your own, what would be your motivation to reduce prices?

How much do KC charge for use of their lines? Is it in line with what BT charge, because if it is I can't see why others wouldn't be offering services here.

I'm sure you are very happy with KC if you are getting fiber. I would be too. But I can't get fiber. I won't be getting it next week. Or next month. Probably not for several years. We are in a ridiculous situation where the largest population centre has the slowest speeds while the outlying areas are on fiber. We are trying to sell ourselves as a futuristic city and the capitol of renewable energy, yet our communications system is stuck in the dark ages. Again, netindex show Hull as 826 out of 954 for home broadband, and 316 of 321 for mobile broadband rlhttp://explorer.netindex.com/mapsrl Try putting Beverley or Brough into the search and then see if you are happy with broadband in Hull. Bristol you say? Averaging 35.43 Mbps, 235 of 954. Much better than hull.

Sorry, but KC's prices are not a little higher than Virgin, they're nowhere near. The prices I quoted earlier for Virgin (£25.99 for first 12 months and £31.49 after) include line rental. And that's for fiber speeds and unlimited downloads. KC are asking £32 for slow cable broadband with a 35GB limit, and it keeps going up in price! Lightstream is better value, but still no comparison to Virgin.

KC may not technically hold a monopoly, but as someone trying hard to find an alternative, it sure feels like one. Whisper don't cover my area and EE's 4G is shocking. My ONLY alternative is Pure, and they can't install till next year

Yes. Exactly the same in fact, its regulated. They were investigated a few years ago by Ofcom. Hull is a small, low income market.

So £11 p/m cheaper for the first year, and after that you could switch provider ( 2.8330078125:5