Broadband

[Admin]

I'm currently on Dialup at the moment and can't do much, as BT took my ISDN away on Wednesday, and I'm still waiting for router to turn up, hopefully today.

If anyone is thinking of upgrading or moving ISP, I've used Plusnet http://portal.plus.net/my/mydiscount_info/...kq2oU7az0lyKx43 for years, and their 2MB ADSL in only £30 a month for unlimited downloads. They are also rated in the Top 10 fastest suppliers in the UK.

[ginapeterb]

Hi Keith

Yes I used BT ISDN Dial up for ages....and its slow at 64k we used to think that was superfast...and we can now see how Moores Law applies here.

I am using Wanadoo broadband its 576 K but only 17.99 per month and its a free modem...pick up the kit at PC World.

Pete

[Admin]

Sorted now ;D

Flying along now like puke in a kebab shop :o

The problem with some of the cheap priced big names is the small print usually locks you into a 12 month contract (hence the free modem) and a 1GB download limit.

Plusnet allow you to select modem included or not, pay monthly or yearly (cheaper), and select the speed you want, and the amount of monthly bandwidth.

Everything is upfront, and on top of that A1 customer service, and freebies you only get on high end web servers.

A number of my members at Win2Win have switched over and are more than happy.

It's great watching an MP3 download in seconds on a 2MB connection, and a whole CD in only a few hours.

[russ01539]

I use a 1MB modem at home at 13.99 a month from IC24 (my [revious dial up ISP), and the download limit and speed is awful. At work I use Unicom on an 8 hub LAN adaptor 8MB modem and its so fast it plays videos as it downloads them at normal speed with minimal glitches. It costs 23.99 montly, but u have to be a registered business to get it.

[ivor&mel]

I'm starting a "revive the dead" night So what's your impression of +Net two years down the line? I've been with them since Dec 2002... and am finally itching to leave... They seem to be in danger of meltdown, as far as I can see. Brings back memories of the final days of dial-up: can't handle the demand.... impose every heavier restrictions... I went to AOL in those dark days But at least I got a reliable unlimited connection.

Now I need a new ISP....Ideally with some frills like +Net give. Anyone have any good recommendations? Zen and Nildram seem popular, but I'm wary that they'll end up down the same route as +Net have gone. I'm tempted by A&A as they seem a totally professional outfit, and although they have limits, they are in business rather than leisure hours.

Is there any mileage in something like a Computer & Tech section on the forum?

[walesrob]

I'm starting a "revive the dead" night So what's your impression of +Net two years down the line? I've been with them since Dec 2002... and am finally itching to leave... They seem to be in danger of meltdown, as far as I can see. Brings back memories of the final days of dial-up: can't handle the demand.... impose every heavier restrictions... I went to AOL in those dark days But at least I got a reliable unlimited connection.

Now I need a new ISP....Ideally with some frills like +Net give. Anyone have any good recommendations? Zen and Nildram seem popular, but I'm wary that they'll end up down the same route as +Net have gone. I'm tempted by A&A as they seem a totally professional outfit, and although they have limits, they are in business rather than leisure hours.

Is there any mileage in something like a Computer & Tech section on the forum?

Looking at ADSLGuide, there are fewer and fewer ADSL providers with a truly unlimited service. I think the days of an uncapped, unrestricted service is well gone, and all kinds of restrictions are being used by nearly all ISPs.

I'm with Pipex, and have been since Dec 2004, just recently I was shopping around for something better, both Zen and Nildram (owned by Pipex) all came top of the list, I called Pipex CS, and said gimme MAC now, and they promply reduced my package from 33.99 to 17.99 monthly with a 60 GB cap - so here I am still with Pipex. To be fair with Pipex, they are reliable, despite the email service falling over sometimes and CS being incommunicado by phone or email.

[KeithD]

PlusNet customer service is complete crap.....I have lines drops every day, and I'm on the highe end business account!! I'm stuck with them for another 10 months.....so I'm just abusing them and downloading tons in the hope they kick me off

Not a problem, as I also have BT Broadband on the business line.

Both of these ARE 100% unlimited, with no cap. My server backups use 20GB's a month.

To be honest AOL is still one of the best, had an account with them as a backup for dialup anywhere in the world since '97, and my mates had it for 4 years no problem.....and no cap

[Pauldo]

We just had BT broadband installed at home. Well, the wire was already theren but NTL had butchered it so the BT tech had to come out and fix it. The router arrived and was plugged in, along with the little filter thingamabobs, and an hour later we had broadband. It played up a couple of times, just after I had (twice) entered ten minutes worth of info into an on-line car insurance application, ao I lost the lot


I spent an hour on the phone to BT eventually, being messed about through call centres, but the system seems to have settled down now. Well, I guess it has as I am now in the Gulf Of Mexico on the ship again, miles away from the family, with the worlds slowest satellite 'net connection.

[KeithD]

When you get a new connection these days, it's on the new MaxDSL system, and will go on/off for around 10 days while it figures out your line capacity.

[Pauldo]

When you get a new connection these days, it's on the new MaxDSL system, and will go on/off for around 10 days while it figures out your line capacity.

That's what the paperwork bumf told me too, but it seemed to work great, until I tried to do anything heavy on it. The DSL light was on firmly, right up until I hit the 'send' button with all my data in the spreadsheet. Must have overloaded the system.

The most infuriating thing was trying to get through the 'call centre' help service, where I inevitabley ended up talking to some Indian chappie who always told me my extension line must be faulty, despite the fact that I was talking to him on the phone over it quite satisfatorily.

"Oh, the broadband goes over different wires than the phone sir" Said he.

"Well, they must be invisible ones, as I saw the BT engineer only connected two wires up last week" said I.

[KeithD]

I have TWO broadband suppliers, both on the same cable that leaves the house, as they all include 2 copper wires.

I always get straight through to a nice English person...but then that's BT Business

[Pauldo]

I have TWO broadband suppliers, both on the same cable that leaves the house, as they all include 2 copper wires.

I always get straight through to a nice English person...but then that's BT Business

Do you have a phone number for Mr/Mrs Nice English BT Person??

[KeithD]

Not unless you have the business line.....they seem to treat 'residential' like fodder

[Pauldo]

Not unless you have the business line.....they seem to treat 'residential' like fodder

Yep, like a pile of:

[ivor&mel]

I'm still in 2 minds about +net... Yes, CS is total crap (can I say that?) if you have to phone them, but they do have some decent techie guys who are willing to answer questions on several non-Plusnet forums in their own time: not many ISPs are so brave. What's really bothering me is the move to MaxDSL and the LLU tie in with Tiscali: hardly the most popular ISP in the UK... I'm not one to ISP-hop, and there's a lot of inertia keeping me with Plusnet... But unless they come up with something wonderful soon, I'm off...

I'll get me MAC....

[KeithD]

I DO NOT agree with being moved to the Tiscali LLU without my permission.

http://www.adslguide.org.uk/

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.shtml

I wouldn't stay with PlusNet.

[ivor&mel]

But you are with them? And so am I...

[ivor&mel]

PlusNet Marketing Director speaks...

[KeithD]

I'm only with them as it's a business contract, not residential, and when I took it out, they where OK......when I needed assistance.....I got none.....no broadband for a month.....3-4 days to get even a repy off them....and that was when threatened with court action. There phone line keeps you waiting 50 mins if you're luck, but usually cuts you off before then.

I've read there T&C and will be doing everything in my power to break them.....continuos download.....setting up 'porn' on the free space....maybe a terrorist forum

With BT Business I get to speaka to da English guy within minutes.

[ivor&mel]

Would it help if you got extra traffic to your Plusnet webspace? Just give us the URL of the porn...

Oh... you said 'porn'.... Maybe it's just pics of sheep...

[KeithD]

Maybe it's just pics of sheep...

[walesrob]

Hehe theres me spouting off how great Pipex are, and now I've requested a MAC and will move over to Demon, for £19.99, automatic upgrade for Max and no restrictions whatsoever...

[KeithD]

If you ever find a bag under your seat with wires hanging out of it......

[ivor&mel]

If you ever find a bag under your seat with wires hanging out of it......

[ginapeterb]

I am on BT'S Super 8MB Now, which does make a difference, plus I have BT's new Router, the White one, with the built in phone, my dial up bill for June was £88.00.

[KeithD]

I route all calls through One Tel or Skype....BT get as little as possible

I got a free BT wireless router with hardware firewall.....they look after their good customers.