Wanadoo Heavy User

My Wanadoo service was initially a 1Mbits/sec service with a 30GB monthly usage cap, however it was recently upgraded by the ISP to a 2Mbits/sec line.

After the service was upgraded I started to experience problems getting a connection. This was solved by rebooting both the router and the PC. I can’t be sure if the downtime was coincidence or caused by the upgrade, but it has otherwise been an efficient, five star broadband service.

The downside has been the Livebox wireless router, which is supplied free of charge as part of the service. It is tied to the Wanadoo service, so can't be used with an alternative package, and because it is free, must be returned when you end your contract.

Early on in the test I also suffered problems with a firmware update, which killed the first Livebox. Here, the customer services department was a little poor at sorting the problem out, even though it admitted it had received a number of calls from customers suffering the same problem after the unexpected firmware update.

Having said that, it is really easy to install, with a simple wizard walkthrough that ensures you don’t go wrong. But once up and running, I had problems initially getting my PCs to operate as a home network via the Livebox.

For a while I uninstalled the Livebox and replaced it with a Zyxel ADSL wireless router instead. However, I wanted to test the optional Wireless and Talk Voice over IP (VoIP) service that also comes as part of the package, so reinstalled the Livebox, and after a bit of effort, got all the computers talking to each other reliably.

The Wireless & Talk service was reliable, and call quality was very good. You are given a free number to receive calls, and most people certainly wouldn't know you were phoning over the Internet.

Call rates are competitive during the daytime, and UK off-peak calls are free . Additionally, because it is operated via your router, your PC need not be turned on.

The downsides are that it is a subscription service, costing £4 a month and you are restricted to just 20 listed international countries. So if you need to phone someone living in a country not on that list, tough. Also, you need to check Wanadoo's list of UK numbers that cannot be dialled, which includes those beginning with 08.

If you make a lot of national calls or to one of the listed countries, then this service is worth considering, but otherwise there are better and cheaper VoIP services available. If Wanadoo scraped the £4 monthly subscription, and charged you only for your calls instead, it would then be a very attractive service.

Note: This is part of PCW's long-term group test of broadband Internet packages. Links to all other packages reviewed can be found below.