ISP's

[TDi90]

can anyone reccommend me a good ISP?
im FED up to death with AO HELL and bt is not much better,
im after something with a quick line speed (gaming  ;) ) and something thats easy to set up (and works wirelessly with 4 lappys and an X box  8-[
any info on the subject also greatly appreciated!
Rob

[strapping young lad]

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/

will help for a comparison chart

if you have cable or satellite tv then the broadband package with them could be worse (the basic one with sky is free) and the virginmedia one requires no further install other than a modem.

[TDi90]

you big ledgend!!!!!  :)
but unfortunately after numerous calls to BT and AOHELL my max line speed i can get is half a meg (whitch is what im on atm!) 
cos im too far from an exchange  :'(
is there anything i can do about this? i need 8meg!!
Rob

[strapping young lad]

lol everyone wants 8 meg doesnt mean you can get it though.

not much you can do about getting your line speed increased...

this link will tell you how fast you could go, and i have to say you are stuck with it sorry
http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=16541&s_cid=con_FURL_broadband/speedtest

download speed is one thing but the important one which is often overlooked is upload speed, some people report massive downloads but awful uploads

www.speedtest.net tells you what yours is.

incidentally i used to work for the two major cable companies in the uk and in each case when the latter isp you spoke of we all did that mechanic sharp intake of breath through the teeth (they install proprietory software into windows which [!Expletive Deleted!] things up if you arent with them anymore!)

times have changed and im sure they are better now but i dont like the fact you have to use a certain browser (you used to not sure anymore)

[Budgie]

I can highly recommend Eclipse Internet as an ISP.
Tech in the UK on a local rate number, they call you back to make sure any problems you've reported have been fixed and they even reported a line fault to BT for me when I lost connection once.

Plus, if you sign up using one of their banners on my website then I get £30!!  :-$  :D

[Drift]

I get 20meg with Virgin, keeps the desk top and two laptops and an xbox going great guns.

50meg is out at the end of the year 

[Mark_Solesbury]

I can recommend Bethere.co.uk

Currently £8 per month till the end of the year...

https://www.bethere.co.uk/

Up to 24mb Depending on distance from exchange - I get 9 down and 1.5 up

[carbore]

The limiting factor is as you say exchange distance however you could try a few things.

Check your BT master socket (where the line comes into the house) is not Corroded or otherwise knackered. The first house I got BB diddnt work, when I looked inside the wires fell out! altough I had never had any problem on voice. You are not really supposed to poke about in you box so make sure you are happy with a scredriver and make sure you write down any connections if you disconnect to re make them.

Make sure you have filters on all your other phones. I have seen peoples broadband work but be v.slow because.

Ask you neighbors (if you have any) if they get poor speed. If they dont then you have a "personal problem".

If you have a few people around try seeing if you can get bt to do something (new phone lines as copper could be degraded or damp etc)I think BT are supposed to be doing the "rural communites" bit so a bit of pressure from a group/business link/FSB etc may help, try asking you council or similar if they can lobby.

If you live in a cable TV are then thays your quick solution.

Consider buying a 3G "modem" for you PC if you have 3g coverage. Youll need to check the fair usage policy and Im not sure what they are like for gamin, but I use one when my BB drops and its fine.

Good luck.


PS I usually use www.speedtest.net

[strapping young lad]

i dont think you lot telling him how much you can have is helping his situation :)

i only get 1mb tops but average around 700k which to most is laughable but it works for me, had it be 4 or more i would invest in a slingbox for web streaming but it wont do it justice on less than 2 i should think.

[andyw]

Looks like O2 or Talk Talk are your best bets, as they have LLU equipment in the exchange.

See here. http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/SDPTRSF

[TDi90]

all good advice  :clap:
thanks guys. might see if BT can renew the line for free  :| heres to hoping...
then we will see if i can get any quicker, we do live in a very old house in the sticks so im not getting my hopes up...  :shock:
and i presume if i got an x box as well as the 4 laptops... (to game online) it would lag like a B**ch?
on the test check so see the max i can get it was 512kbps whitch is what im on at the moment  :'(
Rob

[andyw]

To get a faster service you will need to contact o2 or Talk talk as in my previous posting and link.

[carbore]

I just looked at andyw's link and hes right.  Taklk Talk and O2 have LLU (read the whats that to find out whay thats of use)  to provide an enhanced service in that area (provided the exchange in the link is your local one)

So well done, I learned something today.

[TechnoTurkey]

I'm going for the 02 LLU 16 Meg option next month, think i shoudl get a decent rate as i currently sync at 7.5 on an 8 meg connection - fingers crossed.

The best value deals seem to be when you combine services from a single provider, i.e Sky TV & Broadband, Orange Mobile and Broadband, O2 Mobile & Broadband etc etc.

Depends if price or service is your thing.

[Gordo]

I can second Eclipse and they sent me an e-mail yesterday offering speeds of up to 24Mb - and they make a point of looking after people in more rural areas.

[TDi90]

thanks for all the top advice.
just rung eclipse and they told me exactly where my exchange is and im too far away  :doh:
 :'(

[paul_humphreys]

Try http://www.vivaciti.net/ I have not had one drop out or low speed in 3 years!!

Paul

[Gordo]

thanks for all the top advice.
just rung eclipse and they told me exactly where my exchange is and im too far away  :doh:
 :'(

Bother  :(

What's your mobile phone signal like? You could try mobile broadband instead - not quite as quick, but not bad at all.

I've got 3's mobile broadband to use on the train and (other than in tunnels) it works pretty well.

And because you can take it with you when you're out and about, you can surf the 'net and keep yourself amused while you're waiting to be rescued if you get stuck or breakdown  :D

[TDi90]

Try http://www.vivaciti.net/ I have not had one drop out or low speed in 3 years!!

Paul

 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: