Phone alarm and broadband

My elderly sister has an alarm device which is connected to the social services department through the telephone. My brother-in-law has just acquired a laptop and wants to get a broadband connection. As I still use dial-up I know very little about broadband so I can't help him when he asks me if such a connection might interfere with the alarm system..neither, it seems, can the social services department or any IP he has contacted so far.
Can any of the Gardeners' corner gang give a word of advice, please?

 

My son is a softwear engineer and one of my neighbours has community alarm and is getting her broadband delivered next week as she has a lap top and my son has to connect it for her will ask him when he gets in from work if you want J.
PM me if you want.Kath

[ 22. April 2008, 05:40 PM: Message edited by: Scotkat ]

 

Many thanks, Scotkat. I will be very interested to know what your son has to say.

 

In between my posting and the new software kicking in my brother-in-law has contacted Virgin ( very helpful, unlike the dreadful BT) who have told him that broadband shouldn't cause any problems, so he's having it installed some time in May.
Thanks to those who offered advice here.

 

Ive always found bt helpfull (thats if you can get past the automated systme and the idiots in bangladesh or were ever!!!!

 

Im with virgin now and they're ever so helpful,Im just in proccess of changing bank accounts so funds wer'nt there for them to take out .They rang me to let me know, I appologised and said I would pay through a paypoint.Very understanding and pleasant with it. which is very rare these days.Also if you recommend a friend you get £30 knocked of your bill!!!

 

My Dad as his phone with Virgin and they have been a nightmare.
His line is down more times than it's working.
They still owe him money , do you think we can get it.
I've just changed back to BT broadband after a terrible time with AOL.

My sister in law had to have a new line fitted for her broad band because her alarm wouldn't work properly with broadband on it.
She's with Sky.

 

Now now!!! Shiney,why ever would you want a helpful virgin???

 

I work in a call centre for devices such as these and we always say that a filter/microfilter needs to be installed into the phone socket in order for the two to exist in harmony.

 

craig, not going to ask who you work for but wouldn't it be a good idea if all this was explained when 'one' bought the equipment. Not leave it till you get something else & then it could mess things up. Only a suggestion.

I have found good call centres & bad. No matter what country they're in. It all depends on training & how much the 'company' care about their customers.

cheers

 

I've had a look at this thread again after several days and was rather alarmed by Lyn's horror story about Virgin.
Still, others seem to have had good experiences so hope my brother-in-law's is too. Thanks to all who offered help and suggestions.
It seems to me that bad reports about ISPs are all-too-common. I've had bad experiences witj AOL and Tiscali. I'm still with Tiscali (it's the cheapest for dial-up I can find) but wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it to others.

 

Our welcome pack does explain that you need a microfilter if you get broadband and our sales advisors go through all this at time of install but I am sure there are companies out there who are not so organised. Also, our call centre staff and customer service colleagues all know how to solve the problem but it seems that the company/social services jack by the hedge use may not be so well trained.

Thank goodness for GC.

 

Jack my son did not get back till late from friend with broadband it was supposed to coming till friday .