ISP for a student flat

[lost eden]

(Sorry if this question is answered in a sticky or previous thread, but a search didn't show anything up)

Might seem a bit early to be thinking about ISPs as I don't move in until September 1st, but I'm trying to work out finances for next year.

The arrangement is this - 4 people living in the flat, probably average-to-high usage for stereotypical students (lot's of youtube, iPlayer, online gaming, bit of P2P, etc.). The 3 others will probably only be using their laptops, but I will be using 5+ machines, so some sort of deal with a freebie wireless+wired router would serve well (they can use the wireless after I stick WPA on it, I can snake a single cable from the wired switch to my BSD firewall).

So the real question is this - in a time when 'unlimited' means 'fair usage & throttling', who is the best ISP for a flat of 4 people who will probably be using the net a fair bit? The least thing I want to do is hit some usage limit & incur ridiculous charges for the rest of the month. Our lease is 12 months, so if we find a good provider we can probably sign up for a full 12 month deal. Oh & I'm pretty sure it's a standard BT line, I don't think cable has reached this far North...

[SiM]

Be Unlimited available?

[dave87]

We went the BT route, thinking the HomeHub would suffice, but we were wrong.

Ended up buying a DG834G and its perfect.

[Sinizter]

BeUnlimited would be best. Preferably with a DG834GT router (mine is a sky one, flashed) - Be's own router is not so hot on handling multiple wireless clients with lots of connections (such as p2p use).

Would be even better if you could set up a Linux server which would cache web pages and you-boob stuff as well as prioritise HTTP and VOIP over P2P protocols.

[lost eden]

Be Unlimited available?

Not a clue, their website is appalling.

BeUnlimited would be best.

As above, their website is awful & I can't even check for that particular package. All I get is 'we'll email you when one of our packages becomes available in your area' - what is that supposed to actually mean?

Would be even better if you could set up a Linux server which would cache web pages and you-boob stuff as well as prioritise HTTP and VOIP over P2P protocols.

I've got plenty of spare machines & a 24-port switch, so that would be perfectly feasible. But if anything went wrong with it my flatmates would be stumped if I wasn't there, they're not as 'computer literate' as me!

[Bugbait]

As above, BeUnlimited or O2 will be your best bet. O2 is better if you don't live close enough to get a 20Meg+ connection (few people do) as they offer 3 speeds and won't sell you a connection package that you can't make use of. If you're an existing O2 mobile customer (pre-pay doesn't count) then you get additional discounts and more if you haggle with them at the time of renewal. I currently pay £5/mth for the O2 16Meg package since I don't qualify for the 20.

[SiM]

Its not available then...!

[Splash]

The alternative to Be/O2 realistically is to look for an ISP that has clearly defined limits in your range - I use Aquiss, but most of the the Entanet resellers are pretty reasonable. Beyond Be and O2 "unlimited" really isn't worth the effort in my eyes.

[lost eden]

Looks like we can't get O2 either Looks like we're going to be stuck paying lots of money for a naff service.

[Bugbait]

Looks like we can't get O2 either

Just FYI, Be and O2 are the same. O2 bought Be a few years ago and use their backbone and hardware. Check your exchange on Samknows Broadband - Comprehensive Broadband Information and see who services your area.

[lost eden]

Looks like I'll be less than 375m from the exchange. We can get standard BT ADSL at 'over 2Mb/s' & one whole company offers LLU up to 8Mb/s.

[Lucio]

Looks like I'll be less than 375m from the exchange. We can get standard BT ADSL at 'over 2Mb/s' & one whole company offers LLU up to 8Mb/s.

As long as the company offers a package with a hefty bandwidth, you should be ok. One issue you might run into though, is most ISP's require a 12 month contract, most students aren't in the same place for 12 months.

Make sure you spell it out upfront who'se paying for this and if your name is on the bill, that you can afford to pay for the package all by yourself.

[lost eden]

As long as the company offers a package with a hefty bandwidth, you should be ok. One issue you might run into though, is most ISP's require a 12 month contract, most students aren't in the same place for 12 months.

I said in my first post that we are here for 12 months - hopefully makes things a bit easier!