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AOL broadband

AOL Overview

  • Simple 8Mb broadband package, with 10GB download allowance, which is available on either 1 or 18 month contract

Currently showing the top 2 of 2 results

About AOL

Definitely the Marmite name in fixed-line broadband terms, AOL will be described as the best or worst broadband provider in the UK, depending on who you talk to. It was the first ISP to include a wireless router as standard with all its broadband packages, and it claims its "easy-to-install software" means connection couldn't be easier. While it also claims 'award winning' customer support, calls to it aren't free - nor is there a 24-hour service. That said, for the novice - and families in particular - AOL can be a sound choice. The start-up pack includes anti-virus and firewall software, as well as spam filters, pop-up blockers and parental controls.

AOL, originally America Online, launched its first US online service as far back as 1985. It landed in the UK in 1996, building a huge user base thanks to attractive pricing and aggressive advertising (it used to be a challenge to buy a magazine that didn't have a 'free' AOL installation CD glued to the front). The AOL Broadband name was acquired by The Carphone Warehouse Group in December 2006, with the AOL UK base being acquired from AOL Inc shortly afterwards. It now runs alongside Carphone's other fixed-line broadband operations, TalkTalk and Tiscali. This takes Carphone's total fixed-line broadband subscriber base to around 4.5 million (with close to 1.7 million on AOL), just behind market leader BT.

Be aware that you need Windows XP/Vista or Apple MAC OSX 10.3 or above to install AOL's software, as well as the usual BT landline.

Customer reviews

Show all 91 AOL broadband reviews»

unhappy

by bill annau
at 22:58 on 28 Jun 2009

I have been with AOL for over 10 years now. However since CPW took over I have to say that the service has been terrible. My speed has dropped from a good 2Meg to below dial up speeds (40Kb) at times. And I have wasted hours on the phone to the Indian call centre. I have had BT engineers out twice to check my line and have also been asked to swap routers but with no success, They, aol now admit that it is a problem at their end. I think they will lose a lot of customers if they don't get their act together.
unhappy

by sg
at 07:29 on 20 Jun 2009

AOL are scum, they lie about notice periods for cancellation just so that they can set up later and try to force an extra payment later on. Avoid like the plague.
unhappy

by Tony Reilly
at 17:15 on 17 Jun 2009

Hi Contract up with AOL in Sept cant wait to get away from them I have had numerous problems including getting e.mails from my own screen name which was something to do with AOL in U.S. When I sent e.mail to AOL complaining they didnt want to know,Also noticed with ITV player it wont let me play programes as it says I am outside of UK Something to do with AOL IP address being outside of UK even though I live within the UK Also forget about customer services if you call them and get the Indian section Now I cant speak Indian and I am sure the AOL reps think their English is good enough,But its NOT .Its not bad if you get the Southern Ireland customer services at least they can understand you and you them, seems to be a hit or miss which call centre you get,I suggest if you get the indian one hang up and try later Been with AOL for over 10 yrs but now at the end of the line
unhappy

by Sam McCubbin
at 17:24 on 26 May 2009

Carphone warehouse has taken the best broadband provider in the UK "AOL" and turned it into a total shambles. Their DIALBB connection is a total nightmare. Technical support is non existant unless you are lucky enough to talk to someone in Ireland.
As for you people who are under the illusion that unbundled exchanges are more expensive then you are being overcharged as "up to 8MBPS" dropped to £9.99 and then £6.99.
If you have a line fault they have stopped repairing faults until your speed drops below 650kbps.
Be very wary of AOL telling you that you will get up to 8MBPS as often that can mean speeds as low as 1 MBPS. Soon that will become illegal as when signing up with any broadband provider the have to give you a minimum conection speed instead of the rip of phrase of "up to 8 MBPS" . 9 out of every 10 complaints about speed issues are disregarded and you are given the run around as they throtle your speed back throughout the day. Ofcom are looking into this. I have been with AOL for 12 years and since carphone warehouse took over it has turned into a poor service. Sign up to AOL now at your own risk as you are in for one major headache.

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