Broadband Internet Connection Opinions...

[retroborg]

I’ve been using a 56K modem dialup connection since 2000.
When I first used the Internet in 1997 I had a 14400 modem, but sites were a lot “lighter” back then.

I'm fortunately, this 56K is getting just way too slow for my demanding downloading needs, so I’m thinking about upgrading to a Dynamic IP, 512K / 128K ADSL Phone broadband connection.
This ADSL Phone package includes a 512K / 128K unlimited ADSL broadband internet connection & 2 telephone lines (+500 hours of free telephone per month)
For a total of 52.83 Euros / month ($ 62.50)

They also offer:
384K / 128K & 2 telephone lines (+500 free hours) for 43.79 Euros / month ($ 51.86)
1024K / 256K & 2 telephone lines (+500 free hours) for 78.30 Euros / month ($ 92.73)

This is the best offer I could find, as telecommunications are still very primitive in this part of the world...
But I think this specific 512/128K, is the better offer to go for.

So, what type of internet connection do you guys have and how much are you paying per month?

Any opinions will be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[behappier]

Which country are you in ? In the UK, the standard is ADSL 512/256 for basic connection, goes upto 8Mb.

[retroborg]

I envy you...

Here in Athens / Greece, ADSL standards usually go like this:

1024 / 256
512 / 128
384 / 128

And they're highly overpriced! :evil: :?

[Xaneden]

Well, we're only just starting to get the 4mb/s and 8mb/s speeds too; for a long time, people in the UK were restricted to 1mb/s max

[bertie]

Much of the UK can only get maximum of 2mb and often with highly contented exchanges.
You don't happen to have BT running in Greece do you? Might explain your poor broadband!

And yes, I'd go for the 512k for now until things get better in the broadband market

[retroborg]

Basically, what they told me is that with the 512/128K ADSL, I’ll be able to download at 55-58Kbytes/s from http / ftp servers and at 42-44Kbytes/s with the 384/128K ADSL connection. (The maximum theoretical download is 48KB/s for 384K & 64KB/s for 512K)

I was told that my downstream will be crippled by my 128K upstream when using any peer 2 peer!
Will it restrict me to only be able to download as much as my upstream is?
I've never used any peer 2 peer other than Emule at work where I have 1Mb DSL, but I didn't notice any restriction to tell you the truth?

One other important factor that worries me, will I be able to play Online Deathmacth games like Quake4, Unreal 2003/4, Doom3, Command & Conquer, etc (When Connected to EU or USA online-game servers), at a good speed with no lag and what ping should I be expecting if I was to choose the 512/128K offer? Would the 1024/256K line be a better choice perhaps?

Thanks in advance.

[Trippledence]

the 256k upload will be an advantage in any task where you need to upload, such as Online games and peer to peer

[retroborg]

I’m not going to host any online games like a server & I would always close all unnecessary background applications/services when using any resource demanding service.

Basically what I want, is to able to play online games at decent speeds & leech all day long from peer 2 peer like Emule & Shareazza, etc…

I’ll be probably leaving my PC on, through out an extended period of time every day, downloading stuff n such...

So I’m seeking for the best possible solution for this task.

[Xaneden]

Well, I had 300k/128k with NTL (an ISP/Cable TV company in the UK). I got a max of 35kb/s down, and about 12kb/s up in real everyday use. This however was satisfactory, and I have used P2P programs to download mods and beta software, and found that the upload speed doesn't cripple your potential downloading.

As testiment that, I recently got upgraded to 1mb connection. Thats 1000/128, and I can get up to 60kb/s down with only 10 up. Just goes to show the upload isn't as important as people think

Of course, you could use a modded version of a P2P program to give you a high download rating (meaning you can leech), though it seems pointless. If I managed np with 300k in-game and downloading, I think you'll have no problem with the cheaper 380k option.

Hope that helps.

[Ramedge]

As testiment that, I recently got upgraded to 1mb connection. Thats 1000/128, and I can get up to 60kb/s down with only 10 up. Just goes to show the upload isn't as important as people think

if your on 1mb then shouldnt your download speeds be more like 115-120kbps.
IMO upload is important if for any reason some one on your network happens to be uploading some thing large and its taking up all your upload bandwidth it can effect your download speeds dramaticly ( well in my case it does, may just be my **** network )

any way iam on 1024kb(1mb) download by 256kb upload - if my line could support it i would be on 2048kb (2mb) paying £14,99 which is about €20 or less

[peterb]

Much of the UK can only get maximum of 2mb and often with highly contented exchanges.
You don't happen to have BT running in Greece do you? Might explain your poor broadband!

And yes, I'd go for the 512k for now until things get better in the broadband market

No, if they did, they'd have over 99% of the population with access to broadband at a max speed of 2Mb/s, and costs starting at under £15/month, with an open market!

[retroborg]

By the way, what's the most reliable way to test your ping as you would test your down/upstream at http://www.dslreports.com/

When I use the command "ping www.google.com" from dos prompt whilst connected with my 56K dial-up, I get an average of 187ms and 117ms when I ping www.ote.gr and 108ms for www.otenet.gr which happen to be the largest telephone service / ISPs in Greece (Which I’m currently using).
Where as, I get a 121ms when pinging www.vivodi.gr which is the other Greek Telephone / ISP that offers the above said ADSL connection that I'm interested in.

So what should I expect with a 512/128 from them?

Thanks in advance.

[Xaneden]

if your on 1mb then shouldnt your download speeds be more like 115-120kbps.

That's the max speed I seem to get using a P2P program; if I'm downloading from FTP/HTTP I get 125kb/s