Pipex 1000

The Pipex 2MBits/s broadband package is a mid-priced service with no set up fee or monthly usage cap.

So far during the trial, the connection has generally been fine. However, the speed dropped from the initial high of around 1.4Mbits/sec to just under 1Mbits/sec.

I also started to experience a lot of problems with connections dropping out frequently and being unable to connect to web pages. This turned out to be due to the line being upgraded, but Pipex were unable to tell me anything useful about it.

My experience of the customer service was poor. There were long wait times on the phone, and although the line should have been upgraded to 2Mbits/sec along with BT's speed upgrade program, it is still stuck at 1Mbits/sec and despite numerous calls and emails to Pipex.

Thankfully, the customer service phone line is a national rate number, rather than the premium rate that others in this test, such as Virgin and Tesco, charge.

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