So what really happened with an easy ADSL self install. Did it all go to plan...

Day 1 saturday

Ordered the new connection online at for £30 per month + VAT through plus.net. There is also a one off £50 + VAT BT setup charge. The order was made on a saturday.

Day 8 Monday

Got confirmation of impending connection from Plus.net. Having been told I would be connected in "about 3 hours" I wanted quick delivery of a modem and the splitters that separate ADSL from your voice calls.

Phoned DSL source who specialise in broadband equipment and were able to confirm that they could deliver an Alcatel Speedtouch Pro modem the next day and were very helpful on the phone.

This contrasted with the new Fujitsu whose FDX310 modem is cheaper but despite claims turned out not to be available yet.

Day 9 Tuesday

9:30am as promised the DSL source delivery arrived.

Speedtouch pro, splitters and cables

Having reckoned on a morning to install the new connection it all turned out to be very easy... install 1 CD that came with the modem.. connect the cables and then the modem.

Only problem was the modem software didn't work first time although this may have been because we ignored the instructions and attached the modem before the software was installed. Even so it only took about 15 mins to remove it and reinstall properly.

10.10am Then just typed in the user name and password and connected at 10X a normal modem speed.

Next steps...

You will need to install a firewall. Good free and more advanced pay options are available from Zone Labs