Broadband in the Fens...How hard can it be?

[sleepyhead]

Well after being sick and tired of being charged the sun and the moon for 512kb/s 'broadband', I started looking elsewhere for another ISP.

So log onto thinkbroadband, did the "check availability" and turns out in theory the phone line could actually support 2MB (why pipex told me only 512kb/s, who knows).

Anyhow with that small bit of news, I wander off to look at Be and O2 both of whom (on their website) said they didn't support my area. I looked at Zen and well, it's really quite pricey.

So now, I come here searching for some assistance.

Really simple request, 2MB is good enough for me (I had that a few years back living near Gatwick) with unlimited/uncapped useage. Just need a half decent company who won't rip me off.

[menthel]

Can you get enta providers? If so try ADSL24. I use them and get a great service.

[dave87]

I've got to say even BT couldn't accurately predict the speed our line would support.

Being a fair distance from the exchange it was suggested that we would only achieve between 512k & 1mb. In reality (with a decent Netgear router instead of the chocolate fireguard that is the Homehub) we are currently achieving 2.5mb.

Still not brilliant out of an 8mb line, but good enough for what we need.

So perhaps try a new modem/router in combination with your new ISP to see if you can get the best speed boost possible. And while yes, Zen are expensive their customer service is the dog's danglies. Other ISP to consider could be IDNET - similar philosophy.

[sleepyhead]

Enta providers - is that the same as entanet?

Dave87:- Oddly enough, you spoke of IDnet, I was looking at their website a few minutes ago!

I've got a Linksys ..er...forgot the model name. Basically it's a firewall/gateway/4 port switch (not wireless) and supports ADSL2 upto 25Mbps.

IDNet doesn't seem too bad...jut £35 a month for 60GB monthly (download) useage on a 2meg line seems...expensive...(that is for Home SuperMax)

One question...What is ADSL Max? Seen that pop up a few times when I have done "Availability Check".

[EDIT] My ADSL Modem/Gateway is a Linksys AG241 [/EDIT]

[dangel]

ADSL MAX = BT Wholesales's 8mbit service which is then repackaged by various ISPs, as opposed to the older 512k->2mbit services.

[Zadock]

if can't get Be its probably because your local exchange doesn't support ADSL2+ there was a site I found a while back that had a list of planned upgrades to exchanges. Have a look and see if there are any planned upgrades in the future. Or give Be and call, they are very helpful, they might be able to tell you if there is any plans to install their equipment at your exchange.

[dangel]

Go here: Samknows - Exchange search

[Gr44]

BT said the max my line could support was 2MB and BE managed to get 15.5MB out of it with 6db SnR spare!

Anyway, I was just going to suggest Samknows but I see someone beat me to it!

[cougarslam]

ukfsn offer 2mb unlimited for £35.24

or up to 8mb adsl max 30g peak/ 300g off peak for £19.99

free migration.

they are an enta reseller and billing/connection/support is via entanet themselves.

[sleepyhead]

Go here: Samknows - Exchange search

Samknows - EMMERES exchange

Er...guess this means my exchange is rather pap!

UKfsn looks good to me I'll give them a shout for sure 30g peak/300g off peak is nuts..but that is both upload and download combined! ... and peak is 8am till 10pm (mon-fri)??!! WTH?!

Unlimited sounds like a safer bet to me.

[CrazyMonkey]

You could maybe get up to 3.5 MB on the line it's really not certain, i've seen lines "advertised" as 8mb max and support over 16 mb.

As for a provider im with Virgin (Cable) and cant really offer you any help (Was with AOL steer well clear!) However just posting to say, dont believe what they say, demand the best!

[menthel]

Looks like you are stuck with BT resellers from the samknows info.

Both UKFSN and ADSL are entanet resellers so I son't think you can get either.

[0iD]

I used to be with IDNET, absolute class ISP. Unfortunately the mrs was lured by the apparent savings of Virgin.net. Now where I did get 6mb, sometimes I get down to 25kb/s in peak periods, & never above 2 meg

[sleepyhead]

Just sent a couple of enquiry emails to IDNet and Enta (just in case).

Vispa pops up quite a few times on thinkbroadband and so does Elite UK Serve. Curious.

Just odd how the online broadband check always comes back the same, supports ADSL 256kbps - 2Mbps and ADSL Max 2.5Mbps or greater...yet Pipex told me only 512kbps. If the line is THAT crappy, surely BT would upgrade as I am sure there are a few residences here that would benefit from faster/reliable speeds.

[EDIT]Well IDNet were quick in responding, but it's the usual pre-order check that I have done myself. What I really would like is before buying any package is to have the line tested so I know the speed services available to me. Last thing I want to do is migrate and end up with exactly the same as I have now (due to crappy phone lines/'insert reason here') [/EDIT]

[sleepyhead]

Looks like you are stuck with BT resellers from the samknows info.

Both UKFSN and ADSL are entanet resellers so I son't think you can get either.

Just checked with ADSL24 (with their Broadband checker) and they say they have services in my area. Sent them an enquirey email, lets hope it's not the same "auto-reply" emails.

I'll follow up with UKFSN

[menthel]

Good luck!

You can always phone ADSL24, they are based in Wales and are really friendly.