Broadband ISPs

[charles_reed]

Anyone been looking at the scene?

We're supposed to be getting ADSL in July (already slipped by 1 month) and I reckon that I can save money and replace the ISDN2 I've been using the last 15 years.

Router, 2 laptops and server on a Wireless LAN and 3 phones. UK anytime flat-rate tariff.
Monthly prices vary from £16.99 to £39.99 for the minimum 512kBps connection.

Some supply the connection hardware (router, PCMCIA and PCI wireless cards + 3 filters is only £130) others leave you to do it yourself - as I've already got firewall and anti-virus installed that's no issue).

 

[StephenSails]

I use ZEN Internet at £27.99 per month, very good customer service, a breath of fresh air compared to others like NTL etc

 

[Birdseye]

The amount of kit mentioned implies fair useage of the connection so my suggestion might not be appropriate. But I use the very basic Tiscali at 15.99, and the actual speeds when last checked were 245 both ways. This is fine for my use, and the service / reliability has been excellent. So setup charges at all. Free modem

 

[Sgeir]

We went on to the 2MB BTInternet/Yahoo system - works well and am impressed. Think the package is around £29 pm. There are cheaper offers but this is fast, reliable (so far), and there is prob less likelihood of a conflict over service levels between a separate ISP and telecom company. I'm told the the Telewest system is also reliable, but we have no experience of cable.

We use a wireless router and run 2XPCc + 1Xlaptop without any difficulty or obvious slowdown.

 

[billmacfarlane]

I switched from Tiscali to BT after a bit of a nightmare. I'm more than happy with BT: they're not the cheapest but are reliable. Zen always score high on reliability and customer care.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

NTL are not so bad...

I can't really complain about NTL this week. Well a bit, but I can throw more praise at a guy called Colin on the help desk.

Last Tuesday I had my NTL TV box removed and replaced with a cable modem. Had nothing but trouble since. Tried all sorts to repair and was sure it was a fault in the cable modem and not my set up.

I use an RJ45 connection from upstairs to the modem downstairs, unfortunately this was a straight cable and needed to be a x-over for the modem. So I cut into it and crossed the wires, keeping them neat and trying to keep the twisted pairs intact. It would work for 20 minutes and then require a reboot. Can't be my cable thinks I, it should fail or pass, not go down hill, must be the modem.

Called the help desk this morning, spoke to a woman who I could not understand, it took 5 minutes for her to confirm my name and address. I hung up. Called straight back and spoke to a guy called Colin, who buzzed my connection and suggested I had only 50% packets going through, check cable, location etc.

Today I went to a network shop and bought a new RJ45 connector and fitted it properly as a cross over. No problems since, BTW fitting an RJ45 without the proper tool is a right pain /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

So I suggest NTL are not all that bad, it is just you have to speak to the right people who know what they are doing and as with many big companies this can be a bit of a gamble.

Thank you Colin at NTL, job well done mate...

 

[gandy]

Re: Broadband (ADSL) ISPs

Strongly recommend Demon, with the caveat that I don't pay the bills with my own cash. All our support guys are provided with Demon broadband paid by the company, as are some salesmen and management. Mine is on order now our exchange has been upgraded. We use their £24.99/month service - the cheapest isn't suitable for our company requirements, although it would be fine for Internet access only.

They may not be the cheapest ISP, however.

Tony S

 

[alahol2]

Re: Broadband (ADSL) ISPs

Now on Freedom2Surf, good and reliable, fairly cheap.
Don't be tempted by V21.

 

[TonyMS]

I was in the same position.

Reckoned that, as BT would have to be involved to deinstall the ISDN, might as well use them for broadband, at any rate for the first year. Also, first couple of alternatives I queried said we were too far from exchange.

Saves a lot compared with ISDN, and BT's service is fine, not that I've pushed it.

Tony

 

[DJE]

I recently switched to Eclipse Internet. They host our site and domain mailboxes and provide a 512k connection for about GBP 29 per month. They also have a useful feature where you can double the speed on demand and pay by the minute for the faster connection. Support and service very good so far. No connection with this firm, etc. etc.......

 

[boatmike]

Re: NTL are not so bad...

Trouble is...... everyone has the same trouble. Regular outages of e-mail pop server etc. Never any apology and variable service people as you have already found. They also have a load of crap on the TV but I guess this is not their fault.(?) Biggest problem I have though is that if I want to use it on the boat I will need to trail a very long cable........

 

[dedwards]

see www.adslguide.org Independant reviews on ISPs according to speed, customer satisfaction etc. In my previous house i went with Nildram after seeing a good review on the site and had zero problems with them.

 

[jimbouy]

I'm with Pipex at home and Nildram at the office.

Both established names both with excellent service. May not be the cheapest, but I've never had down time from Pipex and the one time Nildram went down it was sorted with one quick phone call.

If you go for one who supplies hardware such as routers etc..... make sure you are really getting gear to suit your needs.

Then sit back and enjoy!!!

Jimbouy

 

[Canboria]

I have telephone, TV and 2Meg Broadband with Blueyonder including Email (Telewest) get the odd glitch with the TV mainly picture judder, the rest fine, no down time, never used helpdesk so cant comment, had the Broadband for about 2 years, TV for about 7 years.

 

[AlexL]

I've got Nildram. Zero problems, excellent customer service. I've had cause to call twice - both times the problem was with my router, but still got good advice on resetting and configuring.
They have no minimum contract , they do a pile of different service levels, I'm on a basic pay as you go 512k, with 1GB per month included - which i never reach. But they also do business services with speeds up to 2 Meg. You provide your own hardware - I've got a combined 4 port switch / router with 2 PC's.