Finally pulled the plug

[Tricky_Dicky]

We are leaving Link2ICT!

 

We've signed and returned all the contracts for a 100Mb Leased Line from BT and a Smoothwall S8 appliance. What's really scary is that we have had the notice from Link2ICT that they are ending our contracts...

 

Wish me luck.

[Trojan]

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

[Michael]

What made you go the BT route out of curiosity, bearing in mind you already have a VM fibre already available?

[Synkrox]

Well done, def. the right choice, I have never looked back!

I know its scary right now but the grass is certainly greener!

[unixman_again]

Congratulations! I'm sure it will all be fine. I'll keep my pinkies crossed for you.

[Tricky_Dicky]

What made you go the BT route out of curiosity, bearing in mind you already have a VM fibre already available?

 

VM wouldn't talk to us directly unfortunately. They kept pushing me towards the LGFL offering which sounded like out of the fire into the frying pan to me. Also, BT gave us a good rate IMO.

 

Will keep you all updated.

[dhm83]

Would be interested to see how easy it is to move to an alternative provider to Link2ICT. I have been contemplating leaving the broadband scheme as our 10mbps un-contended line is very unreliable. I have had conversations with RM, Schools Broadband, Virgin Media's Trustnet and Exa. Tempted by the RM offer, my only concern is they are only offering FTTC at the moment with a guaranteed 15Mbps. Link are putting up all sorts of resistance to any idea of us moving away. My school are just concerned about us moving away as most schools around us still use Link2ICT for everything.

[Tricky_Dicky]

I looked at all of the companies you are talking about and just didn't feel they really offered a better quality of service. With our own line and filtering we are in complete control and not relying on anyone to make changes or enable features for us.

Moving away has been a long time coming, but as an academy we don't really use the LEA for anything anymore so it's a lot easier. I believe the big stumbling block for a lot of schools would be finance.

[dhm83]

I presumed that this part of Birmingham would have been fibred when I looked at alternative, but to my astonishment found there was very little or no fibre near by. My choices seem to be take a punt on FTTC with one of the companies such as RM, Exa or Schools Broadband, or prey that my inconsistent 10mbps FTTP line with Link2ICT holds up. It is the most inconsistent service I have used speed wise in 10 years doing this sort of work. With us being a small one form entry LEA school our budget is non-existent for next year, and I am trying to make what savings I can while preserving functionality. If we can't come to a conclusion this week or early next I think I won't have any option but to renew for this year and then spend this year researching for the following year.

[EXA_Mark]

Would be interested to see how easy it is to move to an alternative provider to Link2ICT. I have been contemplating leaving the broadband scheme as our 10mbps un-contended line is very unreliable. I have had conversations with RM, Schools Broadband, Virgin Media's Trustnet and Exa. Tempted by the RM offer, my only concern is they are only offering FTTC at the moment with a guaranteed 15Mbps. Link are putting up all sorts of resistance to any idea of us moving away. My school are just concerned about us moving away as most schools around us still use Link2ICT for everything.

 

If you'd like to speak to some of the Birmingham schools that have left Link2ICT and been with us for several years already just send me a PM and I'll be happy to put you in touch with them so you can see what our services are like first hand as opposed to just a sales pitch.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Would be interested to see how easy it is to move to an alternative provider to Link2ICT. I have been contemplating leaving the broadband scheme as our 10mbps un-contended line is very unreliable. I have had conversations with RM, Schools Broadband, Virgin Media's Trustnet and Exa. Tempted by the RM offer, my only concern is they are only offering FTTC at the moment with a guaranteed 15Mbps. Link are putting up all sorts of resistance to any idea of us moving away. My school are just concerned about us moving away as most schools around us still use Link2ICT for everything.

 

If you'd like to speak to some of the Birmingham schools that have left Link2ICT and been with us for several years already just send me a PM and I'll be happy to put you in touch with them so you can see what our services are like first hand as opposed to just a sales pitch.

[foofighterjim]

We are leaving Link2ICT!

 

We've signed and returned all the contracts for a 100Mb Leased Line from BT and a Smoothwall S8 appliance. What's really scary is that we have had the notice from Link2ICT that they are ending our contracts...

 

Wish me luck.

 

Taking the same plunge this year. Went with RM for a 200Mb line on a gig bearer, backup FTTC line and Smoothwall for significantly less than the renewal quote we had through. All kicking off over Easter!

[Tricky_Dicky]

Taking the same plunge this year. Went with RM for a 200Mb line on a gig bearer, backup FTTC line and Smoothwall for significantly less than the renewal quote we had through. All kicking off over Easter!

 

Good luck! Here's hoping it all goes well.

[dhm83]

Sounds like fun! Good luck! I am expecting Link2ICT to have one last attempt to convince me to stay at the conference tomorrow, but my mind is fairly made up that we need to move away. Just in the final stages of seeing what is available for us here in Witton. There must be a more stable and flexible solution out there. I am just looking at final proposals from RM, Exa and Schools Broadband.

[Michael]

Taking the same plunge this year. Went with RM for a 200Mb line on a gig bearer, backup FTTC line and Smoothwall for significantly less than the renewal quote we had through. All kicking off over Easter!

 

You're right about one thing - the flexibility to choose the speed your school wants, vs. costs. I've told Service Birmingham this for the past few years and as a result they're losing customers fast, due to a lack of response or no change in strategy/policy.

 

As I pointed out, the majority of customers on the BGfL are still on 10Mbps in 2015 - the reason being cost, yet upgrading to 20Mbps or 30Mbps is literally hundreds of pounds more with a third party and would have a large impact on smaller establishments.

[Brimstone]

Best of luck to you