Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 47

Thread: It's that time again - which ISP?

  1. #1
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    3,041
    Thanks
    209
    Thanked
    146 times in 88 posts

    It's that time again - which ISP?

    I'm moving into a new apartment soon - possibly in two weeks time, yay!!

    However, it's a new-build property and it's not-half difficult to find out which broadband services will be available.

    From what I've gathered from various websites and from speaking to inept representatives of certain companies, my options are ADSL only as it isn't a cable area. Shame, as I didn't want a phone line and would have liked Virgin broadband.

    So, which ADSL package should I go for? At my current residence, I'm with NewNet on its 8MB Home S package - allowing me 20GB usage per month. However, I've recently started to creep over that limit and they're charging me more for doing so.

    I've got no real complaints against NewNet, it's quick and its support is fantastic. But I'm now looking for an unlimited package.

    Here's what I want:
    • 8MB or more downstream
    • a reasonable upstream, above 512k if possible
    • minimum contract of one month - essential, don't want to be tied down for years
    • unlimited usage
    • less than £25 per month
    • reliable


    That's about it. I don't particularly mind ISPs that block services such as BitTorrent and so on. I don't do any heavy file sharing, all my usage is just from web browsing and work. That said, I'm using the web for at least eight hours a day so I don't want speeds to be crippled when carrying out normal tasks.

    Who would you go for? Providers like Zen are highly recommended, but they're also too expensive - you get what you pay for, I guess, but what can I say, I'm cheap.

    Though I've said a minimum contract of one month, I'm ever-so-slightly considering BT broadband. The fact that I can then get BT Vision on the cheap - and free Setanta - is drawing me to it.

    Any suggestions?

  2. #2
    Lovely chap dangel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cambridge, UK
    Posts
    8,398
    Thanks
    412
    Thanked
    459 times in 334 posts
    • dangel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • See My Sig
      • CPU:
      • See My Sig
      • Memory:
      • See My Sig
      • Storage:
      • See My Sig
      • Graphics card(s):
      • See My Sig
      • PSU:
      • See My Sig
      • Case:
      • See My Sig
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • See My Sig
      • Internet:
      • 60mbit Sky LLU

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    If you got with BT, be prepared for heavy throttling of an evening (irrespective of traffic).
    I'm now ith UKOnline which is great - but has a 12 month contract.
    Crosshair VIII Hero (WIFI), 3900x, 32GB DDR4, Many SSDs, EVGA FTW3 3090, Ethoo 719


  3. #3
    mutantbass head Lee H's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    M28, Manchester
    Posts
    14,204
    Thanks
    337
    Thanked
    671 times in 580 posts
    • Lee H's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI Z370 Carbon Gaming
      • CPU:
      • Intel i7 8700K Unlocked CPU
      • Memory:
      • 16 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 LPX
      • Storage:
      • 250GB 960 EVO + a few more drives
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 6GB Palit GTX 1060 Dual
      • PSU:
      • Antec Truepower 750W Modular Blue
      • Case:
      • Corsair 600T White Edition
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 PRO
      • Monitor(s):
      • 27" Asus MX279H & 24" Acer 3D GD245HQ + the 3D glasses
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    Be, Be, Be, Be, Be... Well that's if your exchange is enabled

    Or if you have an O2 phone - get the cheaper O2 packages

    I would not recommend BTbroadband to my mortal enemies. It's slow, and grinds to a halt most nights and my friend experiences packet loss of around 30-40% during peak times meaning he is unable to use the xbox live system or do any gaming for that matter.

    Not only that, routing seems a bit strange as it seems to go to a fair few hops more than is required. If you want to check for advice and how ISP's are at the moment I would recommend checking www.thinkbroadband.com and checking their forum out

    Also, BTVision - I'm sure that the BBC iplayer, ITV on demand, C4oD, Five and even Sopcast (dare I say it) can fill that void.
    Last edited by Lee H; 17-09-2008 at 12:31 PM.

  4. #4
    NOT Banned
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    5,905
    Thanks
    412
    Thanked
    278 times in 253 posts

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lee @ SCAN View Post
    Be, Be, Be, Be, Be... Well that's if your exchange is enabled
    Nod, Nod, Nod, Nod...

    Good choice if you can get them. 8Mb is £10 or £8 (unsure) for the rest of the year right now then it'll be £14 again. Still you get the 1.3Mb upload which is faster than most.

  5. #5
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    3,041
    Thanks
    209
    Thanked
    146 times in 88 posts

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    I've checked the Be website, but it doesn't recognise my post code - that's the trouble with these new builds.

    Think I'll have to wait until I've moved in and activated the phone line. I hate the idea of having to have a phone line to get broadband, grrr.

    Any opinions on Sky Broadband? It's also attached to a nasty-length contract, but it does mean getting a broadband and TV package on the cheap.

    I'll be hoping for Be, and I've ruled out BT Broadband thanks to the advice given so far.

  6. #6
    NOT Banned
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    5,905
    Thanks
    412
    Thanked
    278 times in 253 posts

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    Sky is good too using LLU like Be*
    I haven't heard any major outcries about their BB yet.

    If you do go with them make sure you Quidco

    http://www.quidco.com/sky/

    http://www.quidco.com/bethere-co-uk/

  7. #7
    Splash
    Guest

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    Sky have just dropped their Fair Use Policy on their Max package, so it's truly unlimited now (like Be). Their other packages still seem to have the FUP though.

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    129
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    3 times in 2 posts

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    Another vote for Sky Max. Good value for a tenner.

  9. #9
    Hello :)
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    bridlington, east yorkshire
    Posts
    494
    Thanks
    11
    Thanked
    11 times in 11 posts
    • ionicle's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus A8N SLi Premium
      • CPU:
      • AMD Athlon 64 4200+ 939
      • Memory:
      • 2Gb Samsung DDR400
      • Storage:
      • 1x 80Gb Samsung SATA-2, 1x Hitachi 500GB SATA-2
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATi Radeon HD3650
      • PSU:
      • Akasa 400W Paxpower
      • Case:
      • Akasa Mirrage 62
      • Operating System:
      • Microsoft Windows Vista
      • Monitor(s):
      • Hyundai 22" 1680x1050
      • Internet:
      • Pipex 8mbps unlimited up/down 19.99 a month

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    anything but tiscali

  10. #10
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    21
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    I'm guessing they don't put in cable lines in the new build properties?

    If they are, you should consider Virgin Media, the 10 meg package is a good deal if you get a package from them (and it doesn't matter how far away from the exchange you are...)

    Admittedly it's a 12 month contract though.

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    London
    Posts
    346
    Thanks
    17
    Thanked
    20 times in 19 posts

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    Can't see a virgin media recommendation and not say something. I hate them. The services are good value, unlimited and reasonably reliable but where customer service is involved they are awful. They messed up my payment scheme twice (variable amount direct debit seems to mean 'help yourself' to virgin media) and each time I've had to hang on their damned support line for 20+ minutes before talking to anyone

    Supposed to get a free router with the package I picked. Never showed up, still chasing that one. Don't really care about the router (have my own and it's fine) but I forsee another problem if I don't get the free one. In the contract it states that the router remains the property of virgin media and that they will reclaim it at the end of the contract period or a charge will be levied. I'm betting that the records they've got say I have a router from them and I will be charged for NOT returning it. Like I said, I don't much like virgin media and you can see why.

  12. #12
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    21
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    Fair enough, I've heard a few people have been having problems, but I've had no problems myself.

    I don't think they're referring to the router in your contract - it's probably the modem, which has a sticker with "Property of Virgin Media" on it.

  13. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    North West
    Posts
    114
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked
    17 times in 13 posts
    • Rainmaker's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X Evo r2.0
      • CPU:
      • AMD FX-8350
      • Memory:
      • TeamGroup Vulcan RED 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9
      • Storage:
      • Samsung Evo 850 250GB | Toshiba 2TB 7,200rpm
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PowerColor Radeon R9 380 4GB
      • PSU:
      • Cougar GX V3 600W '80 Plus Gold' Modular
      • Case:
      • BitFenix Neos ATX Tower Black/Blue
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro x64 | Arch Linux
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 1080p
      • Internet:
      • 200/20 (VM)

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    Be are OK, but their DNS is woeful (though easily switched) and there are a lot of congestion and routing issues lately. Personally I'd go for an Easynet ISP (Sky Max, UK Online 16 meg). Your requirements are a little contradictory though, to be honest.

    1) You ask for 8 meg or more. Bear in mind your distance to the exchange (or rather your line's distance) and resultant attenuation will determine your speed, no matter which package you pay for.

    2) You say you need >8Mbps but only use the internet for web and work. 2Mbps would suit you fine tbh, but of course more is always nice if it's on offer.

    3) Unlimited usage barely exists. Sky Max offer it, as do UK Online (although they still have a non-specific FUP they never throttle, ever, and I pull >500GB a month every month). Contrary to previous posts Be* DO have a FUP. HERE. But again they don't enforce it - though you could say congestion often takes care of that for them lol

    4) Cable (Virgin) is a no-no unless you like to be heavily throttled, spied upon (Phorm) and endure diabolical customer service from a foreign national at a premium rate.

    5) If you can get it, LLU is the way to go. Despite the contract I can't recommend UK Online's LLU 16 meg product highly enough. Stay away from their IPStream (ADSL Max) product though; same for Sky.

    The only thing you can do is get an activated phone line and use a broadband checker to see what's available. Just stay away from BT, Orange, AOL, Tiscalli, Pipex, Nildram etc. Once you know who you have to choose from, feel free to post back
    Tux powered!

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    London
    Posts
    346
    Thanks
    17
    Thanked
    20 times in 19 posts

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    Quote Originally Posted by nickster View Post
    I don't think they're referring to the router in your contract - it's probably the modem, which has a sticker with "Property of Virgin Media" on it.
    Separate T&C's section concerning the router, trust me, they want it back

    Glad to hear you're not having problems though!

  15. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    455
    Thanks
    35
    Thanked
    20 times in 19 posts
    • !TIMMY!'s system
      • Motherboard:
      • DFI Lan Party X48 LT T2R | Bios 12/24
      • CPU:
      • Intel Q9550 E0 @ 3.6ghz (424 x 8.5)
      • Memory:
      • OCZ PC2-9200 4GB (2 x 2GB) Flex II @ 1121mhz 5-5-5-15 2T
      • Storage:
      • 3 x WD 150GB Raptor (Raid 0) & 2 x Samsung F3 1TB (Raid 1)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • HIS 5870 @ 900/1300 - Eyefinity
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Modu82+ 625W
      • Case:
      • NZXT Tempest & Custom Water Cooling
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • 3 x DGM L2442W-VA 24" Widescreen LCD
      • Internet:
      • Be Unlimited ADSL2+ - 24mb Download, 1.3mb Upload

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    I vote for Be here, great speeds, great customer service.
    Mobo: DFI LP X48 LT T2R Bios 2008/12/24
    CPU: Intel Q6600 G0 @ 3.6ghz (400 x 9)
    Ram: OCZ PC2-9200 4GB Flex II @ 1066mhz 5-5-5-15 2T
    GC: HIS 5870 @ 900/1300 - Eyefinity

  16. #16
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Leeds
    Posts
    2,599
    Thanks
    81
    Thanked
    106 times in 94 posts

    Re: It's that time again - which ISP?

    I'm with O2 and cannot fault them one bit, excellent service and speeds.

    The easiest way to find your providers is to go on www.samknows.com and use the map to find your nearest exchange. Then pull up a list of ISPs which are enabled on that exchange. I had to do the same thing when I moved into a new apartment last week

    If its a new build then you will probably need to pay BT £135 to connect the line for the first time. It can take 1-2weeks if its never had a line in there. If its had a line before then its free to reconnect it and can be done in 2.days.
    Last edited by s_kinton; 18-09-2008 at 02:07 PM.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Top 5 All Time Games?
    By Stewart in forum Gaming
    Replies: 199
    Last Post: 30-09-2012, 01:53 AM
  2. another 'which ISP?' thread
    By lost eden in forum Networking and Broadband
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 30-11-2008, 05:38 PM
  3. Time Travel Possible
    By hamd01 in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 21-07-2008, 06:21 PM
  4. Microsoft Access 2003 - Dynamic Time?
    By Jonny M in forum Software
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-05-2004, 11:44 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •