After applying and a couple of emails to the onlincs team I’m now the proud owner of a Satellite broadband voucher!
Eager to get things moving I’ve been looking at the various venders websites and also had a chat to a couple. It appears for England there is a choice of 3 packages all from Avanti, this was a bit of a surprise as I’d understood the voucher was a ‘contribution’ towards setup (I’m happy to pay any shortfall), this does not appear to be the case.
The Avanti packages are generally slower (15down/2up vs 22down/6up) plus no option of unmetered overnight this is not so much of a problem compared to by 1.6up/0.5 down! However the 30GB package might be cutting it fine with a house full of teenagers eager to stream video and music!
Upon closer inspection on the Avon site it appears the vouchers are not as valuable as you might think, the general info on the vouchers suggested they would provide 300-350 towards setup costs, however Avon have a different pricing structure when you use a voucher. So on the 20GB and 30GB package it’s only worth £50
During a Chat with them after supplying my location (Spalding) I was given the following link and told only the Avanti packages were available under the scheme.
http://avonlinebroadband.com/suffolk
Example below on the 30GB package
Without Voucher - Free to choose any package from Avanti or Tooway
(12 x £44.95) + (12 x £5 Hardware Rental) + £100 Installation + £49 12-Month contract free = £749.35 Total
With BDUK Voucher
(12 x 54.95 Monthly Fee) + 40 Account Setup Fee =
£699.40 Total
While the reduced start-up costs and simpler structure are welcomed, you end up paying it back in rental anyway and what happens after 12 months, I’m assuming you can negotiate a reduction if you remember also where did the account setup fee come from? Without the 12 month contract reduction the total its exactly the same for the first years years supply.
I’m feeling rather underwhelmed by it all now it’s a case of giving with one hand and taking with the other by the suppliers, I’d like to hear from anyone that got a good deal using their voucher...
6 October 2020
Contract 3 Signed »