Bulldog Recent Performance

[gtskater]

Is anyone else experiencing terrible speeds with Bulldog recently?

I'm supposed to have a 1Mb connection and for the past few weeks its simply been crap. I'm in West London and this wasn't really what I expected when I signed up back in July.

[ExpertKing]

Does Bulldog still use Datastream ?

If so it might be down to some users putting a lot of stress on the virtual network at your local exchange.

I use datastream ADSL on a VPN in my area, but as far as I know there is only 3 (512k) users sharing a 3mb VPN so the service is practically uncontended.

I suspect that in the West of London the VPN will be shared by a lot of users ^^;

[Len]

It wasn't too good for a week or so a while back 'cos they were upgrading all their equipment and suchlike and basically f@cked it all up. Been ok for me ever since.

Did you/have you checked the status of the network when it's not been good, you can do it online or ring 'em up?

http://status.bulldogdsl.com/news.php

If yr not happy speak to them and complain, now that C+W have bought 'em out they are starting to really push for more customers and so don't want to piss off existing ones.

I've got the 2Mb line and the gits sent me a flyer for the 4Mb line today, which I'd been checking the availability of, but am about 1/2 mile just outside the central london zone and so thought I couldn't get it. So I ring 'em up and get the most disinterested cs bod who tells me no you can't get it, I was like well wtf did you send this flyer for. Bah...

Oh well only a matter of time before it expands out.

[NeilMcRae]

a friend of mine just started working there because they have had a lot of issues - things should get alot better over the next few weeks.

Neil.

[gtskater]

Bulldog Performance

I get lots of "Could not connect to remote host" messages like the one attached. Most pages/sites are alright, but sometimes it will fail to load images for no apparent reason.

I've no idea about the DataStream stuff. Its a possibility but I simply haven't got the knowledge.

Do you think you really need a 4Mb connection Len? I've got a mate who lives over near Paddington/Lancaster Gate area and he's got a 4Mb line but says he rarely gets the true potential of the line. I do have a look at the Bulldog status page every once in a while. Its not like I can't connect to anything thou, its just that some sites simply don't work. Browsing the forum is tortuorous.

[Len]

I see what yr saying but it's only another ?10 a month and you can get a Bulldog phoneline with it which will basically save you that via knocking out the line rental and giving you cheaper calls than BT. And if your not happy it's a monthly contract so can change back if you like. I just want the speed man, you know how it is. 2Mb isn't enough anymore...lol!

As for the problems you've been having, I've never once had that with my connection. I really think you should be ringing up their techn/cs suppport and giving them a lot of grief, that's just not on. Your paying good money for a crap service so tell 'em, polite but firm, polite but firm.

[gtskater]

didn't realise you got a bulldog phone line negating the line rental. Seems like a bit of a bonus. Might have to look into that.

I'm going to give em a call after lunch when I get a chance and hopefully get it sorted. I'll let you guys know how I get on.

[gtskater]

Gave em a call and they think its just the site servers being too busy. Which is kinda feasible I suppose. So....we'll monitor the situation and see if it improves.

[Len]

Sounds like a fob off to me. If that's the case then how come there hasn't been lots of other ppl complaining about it on here?

Record every problem you have and then go back to 'em with a big list and explain how yr the only one who it seems to happen to and then really start complaining. Ask for the head office address, take names etc etc. Like I said, polite but firm and they'll soon start doing something about it.

Good luck...

[jide]

I'm using bulldog now its **** nuff said
Came off 2mbits from easynet much better speeds (ul/dl)
FFS they advertise 4mbs and its only available in central london just wonderful!!!

Neil he better be sorting out the brixton exchange too 8)

[JibberX]

Word on the street is Bulldog are going down... but then I said that when they started up, does hearsay have a shelflife?

[Len]

Odd rumour seeing as they got bought out by C+W a few months back, maybe they'll be swallowed up and change name but I don't think they're about to go bust. I've always had really good service out of them tbh.

We'll see suppose...

[gtskater]

yeah, what can you tell us Neil? Anything along the juicy gossip lines, well as far as ISPs go.

Its been somewhat better this afternoon but there's still a few problems. NTSC-UK is better but can't browse RLLMUK.

[JibberX]

So...then...they've already gone down...I really dont keep up with this crap too well...I thought the government were subsidising Bulldog to provide SDSL and not BT are buying that racking back, and then well, lik, y'know, like whatever, she's a slag.

[Len]

Classic...