Which ISP? Please help.

I've looked through loads of websites, and lots of the comments on this forum but I just can't decide which would be best for me.

At the moment I pay �15 on Pipex for 256k unlimited. My exchange is not unbundled so I'm slightly limited. I don't download a lot, but two computers are online most of the day. Rarely I might use P2P, but certainly no more than say 10GB a month.

I really don't want to go over �15 per month, and obviously unlimited would be best but I'm not a big downloader. Speed isn't super important (I'm on 256k now....) but reliablitiy is a pretty much a must. I'm even tempted by AOL...

Please help me

Edited by deleted (Sun 08-Apr-07 22:17:11)

take a look at...

http://www.newnet.co.uk/broadband/index.php (good selection of packages as long as you do not need more then 60gig a month)

http://www.fast.co.uk/broadband.php (though they are slightly pricier)

and finally who at the moment would be my personal choice if you can not get Cable or LLU services...

http://www.ukfsn.org/home/internet/adsl/maxallowance.html

One thing i can tell you is you have NO CHANCE of even getting close to an unlimited package from anyone for 15 quid. The average base entry broadband max service will cost you 15-20 quid (thats AVERAGE before anyone starts nit picking )
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What you will get from those 3 that i listed above is a reliable service with good support, Ukfsn from my experience are very good at answering emails and questions you have

Thanks for the reply, I was looking eariler and I think the newnet deal of

Edited by deleted (Sun 08-Apr-07 23:52:41)

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I'm even tempted by AOL

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You can get AOL 2Mb unlimited for

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The only thing that is slightly annoying is that I'll be happy with 2MB speed, with a healthly cap (30-40GB) that I know I wouldn't have even think about, at say

In reply to:

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The only thing that is slightly annoying is that I'll be happy with 2MB speed, with a healthly cap (30-40GB) that I know I wouldn't have even think about, at say

I can recommended NewNet from personal experience; solid connections; UK call centres; very knowledgeable staff - use Compare and you will see others agree.

Blue

Edited by deleted (Mon 09-Apr-07 11:32:33)

OP, I take that you want to go from fixed speed to Max, is this correct?

In the first instance, I would suggest that you have a look at your line stats. I would also have a look at your exchange and check its status ie is it on green/red.

Also, there may be a requirement to upgrade your hw if you are looking to go to Max.

If you are downloading about 12Gb / mth then forget about looking for an ISP which does unlimited as this is now more a figment of the imagination of some isps. Also many isps traffic manage/throttle at peak time so even if you go on Max, 2Mb will be about your lot during those times.

Once you have assessed your requirements then you can proceed to drafting a shortlist of isps. In this respect also I would urge flexibility, go for a trial period and if you are not satisfied move on. I have found that there is no point in flogging a dead horse.

I would offer this word of caution. I was on fixed speeds for 4 years or so and recently upgraded to Max. It has been fine for me but Max can be 'temperamental' in that it can be affected by many issues one that I read being the next door neighbour's 'running machine'.

Lastly, every user's opinion of their isp will be 'unique' in that you may sign up to the best isp on the planet but the circumtances at your exchange coupled with your physical location to it may result in you getting a poor connection, if you see what I mean.

Good Luck

Edited by risk_reversal (Mon 09-Apr-07 12:00:14)

Why do you want to move to another ISP?

Thanks for all the replies, very useful.

I'm not that intent of getting away from a fixed speed, would just be nice to go quicker than I am, although I know my budget restricts me, I not looking for a super speed on my budget.

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Why do you want to move to another ISP?

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I'm don't think that my deal is no longer any sort of value for money. The connection is getting worse lately (disconnecting, not being able to connect) and I think for an extra couple of

Edited by deleted (Mon 09-Apr-07 13:15:53)

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)