If you have dropped connection issues that possibly indicates the quality of your line to the exchange is poor. Changing ISP will make no difference in that case.

Oh

I never thought of that really, but it's a good point.

Edited by deleted (Mon 09-Apr-07 13:42:16)

It's a point, but it may not be relevant. It is a fact however that most ISPs will be using the same piece of copper to the exchange. The trouble is that dropped connection covers a multitude of sins.

I think you may find that AOL since being taken over by the CPW have placed all sorts of limits and throttling in place, so I would stay away from AOL if I were you and focus on the other good choices you have made, and let's be frank there's only one way AOL are going!

Blue

Or poor internal wiring, filters gone bad, even a dieing router.

Tbh 30GB is plenty for a standard users needs. Incl web browsing, gaming and streaming of radio. 12GB is very thin water for doing the above though. Only way you are going to see for sure is to monitor your usage.

Just another minor point. (Looks like you are going to look for faults first, but once all that is out of the way you may still think of changing).

As well as the gig allowance in any package, look what happens if you reach the limit. Some ISPs just charge you in arrears - and prices vary; others notify you just before you reach the limit and then you can buy more for that month - but what I've seen is then far more than you need extra so not cost-effective; others just stop you doing nearly everything; and others cut your speed to under 100k.

So if you check that as well it could save you a nasty surprise, and it may help you choose. A cheaper package with reasonable over-run charges may be better than a more expensive package with over-run problems, as long as you only over-run occasionally. If the charge for over-run is automatic in arrears your wife doesn't need to worry too much, and if you incur it enough to mean you are on the wrong package, by then you will have the info to upgrade the package or migrate.

yes AOL may sound good etc.... but they seem to have a problem with people trying to email thier users!!! a freind of mine uses them (I only see him about 3 or 4 times a year, but...) and I have always had problem sending him mail.. of course he sees no 'failed to recieve' messages.. so I tried using my gmail account - got through first time...

Edited by foneman (Wed 18-Apr-07 13:17:06)