Right Virgin Media have had the brass neck to introduce a 25p a minute charge for their broadband helpline

[LittleBella]

with a 10p connection charge.

So my question is, what's the cheapest broadband deal around at the moment? That doesn't require a small fortune to put it right if it goes wrong?

Any recommendations?

Don't know who has the best support service sorry, but just wanted to chip in that it's appalling that they charge for support to use their own services. These hidden charges are wrong.

I had to phone them last week, and as it was a fault they couldn't fix over the phone, they said they would refund the cost of the phone call.

I'm so annoyed by it, I just want to leave them.

Last year they lost a whole load of customers because of the debacle with Sky, not me because I'm not interested in Sky channels anyway. But they're obviously trying to claw back the money by charging to use the helpline. Outrageous.

- I presume then you were with NTL/telewest before? And they had a riduclous charge for their broadband helpline too.....much more than 25p IIRC.

No, broadband helpline was free.

I think dial-up helpline had mad charge though, that does ring a bell.

are you sure? we've only had broadband with them (for years now) and I'm sure I remember DH throwing a paddy as he had to call the helpline and it cost him a small fortune - or maybe I'm just having a blond moment...

I think you must be!

Unless you had some kind of different deal or something

My deal is very cheap, about £18 a month for phone, TV and broadband. But I'm annoyed by this helpline charge, it just irritates me.

did you realise though that the charge has been in place since 1st July???

Yes I got annoyed about it then as well!

But didn't have to use it so didn't bother to review my account.

Now I want to call it, I'm thinking I should find out if there are better suppliers out there

while you're looking for a new provide have you had a look at this page??

I had to phone Virgin as I had a modem problem - told them I resented paying them 20p a minute or whatever it is.

The chap I spoke to said if the fault cannot be rectified over the phone, or is a problem with the modem/cable line they refund the cost of the call. The charges are to prevent people making time-wasting and abusive calls. He said they get a lot of racist calls as they are located in India

So... no recommendations as to an alternative?

Must I put up with them?