FASTEST Gaming Internet - Leamington Spa

Hello!

I'm a hardcore gamer and I've been looking for the fastest internet to game on for years but have always been disappointed.

I didn't have much luck with BT broadband, O2, and now Virgin Media's "fibre optic"...

Me and my buddy are moving in together and will be playing World of Warcraft and the XBox360 together A LOT and don't want any connection issues. That means we want low Latency, good upload speeds, and no traffic management that's going to shut us down in the middle of a game (like VM has been doing to me).

I've been looking into FTTC from BT, Fast.co.uk, and AAIsp.net

I'm really confused and not sure what to go with.

Money isn't much of an issue, I don't mind paying an extra £10 or even £20 if the service will offer me what I want and more.

I simply want to be able to log in quickly and never have to worry about freezing or being disconnected while playing. I don't want my internet being a bottleneck for our experience.

We're moving to Leamington Spa, and our Exchange is "CMLGS"

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/CMLGS

Apparently we'll be ~1.7km from the exchange, which pretty much rules out ADSL (as I suspect our speeds will be horrible and a cause for lag)

And Virgin Media is out of the question 1) because of past experiences, 2) they don't offer their "Fibre Optic" (50meg) service to that area anyways.

So I think our only option would be FTTC, but I don't know which company is the best, or if there is something faster/better than FTTC...

I'd really appreciate an expert opinion here, preferably a straight answer like "Go with X company, they will be the absolute best and fastest service for you in your exchange"

Please help me, I'm so desperate to finally get the perfect gaming connection and never have to worry about my passion and hobby being destroyed by false advertisement and traffic shaping!

Thank you very much!

1,7km from the exchange isn't far for ADSL?

You certainly want to go FTTC if you can, as for a company the only people I know that use it are on BT and its great for gaming.

Just need a decent ADSL isp, and get them to turn interleaving off and put you on fast path. No reason why your pings should be above 20 to any good uk server in that case.

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

Just need a decent ADSL isp, and get them to turn interleaving off and put you on fast path. No reason why your pings should be above 20 to any good uk server in that case.

Yeah but if we have 3 people using the internet, one is downloading, two are playing Xbox 360... wouldn't we get better speeds and performance with FTTC?

Does FTTC provide lower jitter/latency than ADSL?

I want me and my bro to be able to play games hardcore without any jitter or latency issues.

If you can't get fttc in your area then have a look at the various BE packages, e.g. BE Pro, the exchange is 21CN enabled allowing ISPs to provide BB packages with higher up to speeds.

Harry

If you want to know more about fttc have a look here and post any queries you have.

Harry

I think your best option would be FTTC, and if not available where you are moving to then Be, as just suggested by an anonymous poster.

Whether you need to go to Pro instead of Unlimited is a bit questionable. I wouldn't have thought it would make much difference for gaming, and Pro can decrease the download speed in order to increase the upload. The shorter the line the less likely that is.

Re FTTC, the cheapest is BT Infinity, but that is subject to slowdowns in the evening and traffic management on P2P. I'm on IDNet FTTC, and I have a list of suppliers here. On that page is a link to a spreadsheet by orly and yarwell, comparing features and basic prices.

Click the Live BQM link in my sig to see latency, and if you would like a ping test to a particular site just let me know. For now:-

C:\Users\Bob>ping www.jolt.co.uk

Pinging jolt.co.uk [84.234.17.86] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 84.234.17.86: bytes=32 time=14ms TTL=122
Reply from 84.234.17.86: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=122
Reply from 84.234.17.86: bytes=32 time=14ms TTL=122
Reply from 84.234.17.86: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=122

Ping statistics for 84.234.17.86:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 13ms, Maximum = 14ms, Average = 13ms

C:\Users\Bob>ping www.bbc.co.uk

Pinging www.bbc.net.uk [212.58.246.93] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 212.58.246.93: bytes=32 time=15ms TTL=57
Reply from 212.58.246.93: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=57
Reply from 212.58.246.93: bytes=32 time=14ms TTL=57
Reply from 212.58.246.93: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=57

Ping statistics for 212.58.246.93:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 13ms, Maximum = 15ms, Average = 13ms

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 20-May-11 19:14:11)

Thank you RobertoS for the useful information.

I've been looking into AAISP, they appear to be extremely professional and offer excellent speeds and stability.

I'll check out other FTTC providers, but I have a good feeling about A&A.

Thank you for the useful links

Line will likely be too long for Be Pro with Annex M

I've been with AAISP for nearly a year now with FTTC. It has been excellent. Always high speeds and constant low pings. Would recommend to anyone. Just be careful with daytime usage depending on how much units you buy.

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

I've been with AAISP for nearly a year now with FTTC. It has been excellent. Always high speeds and constant low pings. Would recommend to anyone. Just be careful with daytime usage depending on how much units you buy.

Yeah I was so excited about getting A&A's FTTC service but it seems unavailable for me

I guess I'll have to go with Be*

Any objections?

Have you got a (current) phone number for the premises? If so, what does this checker have to say?

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Have you got a (current) phone number for the premises? If so, what does this checker have to say?

Thanks for your response again. I should note that according to SamKnows, I'm 1.7km from the exchange, and according to an employee at AAISP, I have 4km of copper wire...

For Telephone Number # on Exchange LEAMINGTON SPA

Your exchange is ADSL enabled, and our initial test on your line indicates that it is VERY UNLIKELY you will be able to receive fixed 512Kbps or 256Kbps broadband service due to the very long length of your telephone line. However, your order will be accepted if you still wish to order. An engineer may need to visit who will, where possible, supply the broadband service.

Our test also indicates that your line currently supports an estimated ADSL Max broadband line speed of 750Kbps; typically the line speed would range between 750Kbps and 2Mbps.

Our test also indicates that your line currently supports an estimated ADSL2+ broadband line speed of 1Mbps; typically the line speed would range between 1Mbps and 3.5Mbps.

The actual stable line speed supportable will be determined during the first 10 days of use. This speed may change over time, to ensure line stability is maintained.

Thank you for your interest.

Please note that postcode and address check results are indicative only. Most accurate results can be obtained from a telephone number check.

Edited by deleted (Fri 20-May-11 22:02:08)

Long line. Probably get 5-8mbit if you cant get FTTC

Go with BE up to 12meg service. And set your connection to "gaming mode" and optimize for speed. Be are excellent for gaming for me. I have a very similar line.

And i ping 10-15ms to uk servers. BE is very stable for me, no throttling or slow down any time and their customer service is very very good.

I have been with hem for 3 years.

Looks like no FTTC then .

Assuming that is the number for the premises, try it in the Be checker and see if it looks as though it will accept you. It may not.

If it does, then I reckon that is still your best bet.

When you were with O2, which package, and what was the problem?

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

Long line. Probably get 5-8mbit if you cant get FTTC

Go with BE up to 12meg service. And set your connection to "gaming mode" and optimize for speed. Be are excellent for gaming for me. I have a very similar line.

And i ping 10-15ms to uk servers. BE is very stable for me, no throttling or slow down any time and their customer service is very very good.

I have been with hem for 3 years.

You can't set gaming mode on Value can you? Nor optimise for speed through the control panel. I believe support will do the speed setting, but not Fast Path on that package.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

Long line. Probably get 5-8mbit if you cant get FTTC

Go with BE up to 12meg service. And set your connection to "gaming mode" and optimize for speed. Be are excellent for gaming for me. I have a very similar line.

And i ping 10-15ms to uk servers. BE is very stable for me, no throttling or slow down any time and their customer service is very very good.

I have been with hem for 3 years.

You can't set gaming mode on Value can you? Nor optimise for speed through the control panel. I believe support will do the speed setting, but not Fast Path on that package.

Dunno. Just go with pro or unlimited then. If money is no issue. It is still a good price for what you get. imo

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Looks like no FTTC then .

Assuming that is the number for the premises, try it in the Be checker and see if it looks as though it will accept you. It may not.

If it does, then I reckon that is still your best bet.

When you were with O2, which package, and what was the problem?

I don't remember the O2 details... and tbh O2 was actually my best internet with the exception of some odd disconnects, I had BT previously, then VM...

Now, according to my Post Code, I can get FTTC... BT Infinity says I can get it... but I would want a better provider than BT Infinity if I could get FTTC.

The number that I was given doesn't match the Post Code, I was told by someone, which I'm assuming means that someone gave me the wrong number by accident. So I'm hoping that my postcode and thereby extension my HOME will accept FTTC!

CV32 7XB

...is the post code... but I know that doesn't guarantee that I can receive FTTC...

So if I could get FTTC, what is the best company (that won't throttle me to hell and back and charge some ridiculous usage fees just for streaming youtube videos once in a while during peak hours...)

OK BE ARE OK BUT THEY HAVE STARTED THE SAME AS O2 TRAFIC SHAPPING IN THE EVENING TIMES

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

OK BE ARE OK BUT THEY HAVE STARTED THE SAME AS O2 TRAFIC SHAPPING IN THE EVENING TIMES

No need to shout .

I doubt it. I haven't seen any mention of it anywhere else, but I'll look into it.

What evidence have you, and on what exchange is the problem? Could it just be some temporary congestion on that exchnage?

No, they haven't and you don't have to shout!

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

Long line. Probably get 5-8Mbit if you cant get FTTC

Piffle! How can he when BT Availability Checker says Max on ADSL2+ is 3.5 Meg? You are misleading OP.

In reply to a post by got2nesa:

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Looks like no FTTC then .

Assuming that is the number for the premises, try it in the Be checker and see if it looks as though it will accept you. It may not.

If it does, then I reckon that is still your best bet.

When you were with O2, which package, and what was the problem?

I don't remember the O2 details... and tbh O2 was actually my best internet with the exception of some odd disconnects, I had BT previously, then VM...

Now, according to my Post Code, I can get FTTC... BT Infinity says I can get it... but I would want a better provider than BT Infinity if I could get FTTC.

The number that I was given doesn't match the Post Code, I was told by someone, which I'm assuming means that someone gave me the wrong number by accident. So I'm hoping that my postcode and thereby extension my HOME will accept FTTC!

CV32 7XB

...is the post code... but I know that doesn't guarantee that I can receive FTTC...

So if I could get FTTC, what is the best company (that won't throttle me to hell and back and charge some ridiculous usage fees just for streaming youtube videos once in a while during peak hours...)

Just quoting this post incase it wasn't noticed since we have reached page 3

Just quoting this post incase it wasn't noticed since we have reached page 3

That depends on how each person sets up their Preferences in My Home.

There are a number of permutations of Flat/Threaded, Collapsed/Expanded threads, Number of Parent threads, and number of Posts per Page in Flat mode.

You just considerably increased the space used . Though there is a Delete function.

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

Long line. Probably get 5-8Mbit if you cant get FTTC

Piffle! How can he when BT Availability Checker says Max on ADSL2+ is 3.5 Meg? You are misleading OP.

Oh right i didn't realities the BT checker was totally accurate with a postcode check these days.

He said his line is 4k long. should get attenuation of 45 ish if best case scenario. And not a line with other faults etc.

= id say 5-8mbit

5-8mbit is a pretty logical guess with a line thats 4k long. Use your brain man...

I never said that the BT Checker is totally accurate; tho' probably more so than you. Just that you have no basis on which to make that statement relying on the evidence so far. Or are you relying on the unsubstantiated guess of a lone sales employee who's never seen the line?

As a matter of fact a 4 Km line (if it is really that) gives an attn. of 55 db and a speed around 4 Meg.

That's using logic, which you are lacking!

Edited by XRaySpeX (Sat 21-May-11 01:07:21)

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

I never said that the BT Checker is totally accurate; tho' probably more so than you. Just that you have no basis on which to make that statement relying on the evidence so far. Or are you relying on the unsubstantiated guess of a lone sales employee who's never seen the line?

As a matter of fact a 4 Km line (if it is really that) gives an attn. of 55 db and a speed around 4 Meg.

Oh ok, sorry mr pedantic.

So...

BT Infinity (home or business?)
Aquiss
Vivaciti

Not sure which one to go for, assuming I can get FTTC.

I'm worried if BT Infinity is going to manage me like Virgin Media has been, causing me extreme lag and a horrid gaming experience... I've heard good things about all three, but I don't know if any of those guys play World of Warcraft and have multiple people streaming and playing Call of Duty 4 on the XBox360, all of which would test an ISP's worth for me.

I need some solid tie breaker here.

BT Infinity's biggest package appears to restrict you to 300gb monthly before they throttle you, if this is true then they have a very good system in place for me as I doubt I'll ever use that much and thus never be throttled... however that sounds too good to be true, and I suspect they have some issue (maybe upstream or latency problems) which will upset me.

So I just want a really fast internet that will handle three people's heavy gaming every night without causing us latency problems, and when we want to stream a High Definition video, it shouldn't cut us off.

3 people just gaming is not going to stress even a 3meg connection.

show me a game that uses more than even 30k/s while playing it online.

In reply to a post by got2nesa:

BT Infinity's biggest package appears to restrict you to 300gb monthly before they throttle you

I believe BT removed this restriction recently on FTTC.

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

I never said that the BT Checker is totally accurate; tho' probably more so than you. Just that you have no basis on which to make that statement relying on the evidence so far. Or are you relying on the unsubstantiated guess of a lone sales employee who's never seen the line?

As a matter of fact a 4 Km line (if it is really that) gives an attn. of 55 db and a speed around 4 Meg.

Oh ok, sorry mr pedantic.

An increase in attenuation of 10db means only getting about one third of the signal... hardly pedantry.

This bbs is here to provide help, not a platform for misleading or sarcastic comments.

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

3 people just gaming is not going to stress even a 3meg connection.

show me a game that uses more than even 30k/s while playing it online.

It's just that I've had such horrible problems trying to play WoW by myself on Virgin Media that I'm pessimistic about any other providers.

Also I'm ruling BT out, as I've read thousands of posts of people complaining of Lag and Latency issues with BT while playing WoW.

While I appreciate all of the help everyone has given me thus far, I'm not being ungrateful, but I still have no idea which company is going to provide me with a top notch connection for three people doing end-game raid content in World of Warcraft and also playing on the Xbox360.

Added: sure, I could "bite the bullet" and just go for one, but I've been doing that for two years now and I really just want someone to help me get a good connection in my new home so that I don't have another forboding contract taunting me and having a laugh.

Edited by deleted (Sat 21-May-11 01:25:38)

What you're asking for is an ISP that will give you low and stable ping times rather than outright speed... and this is something that is almost impossible to predict in advance.

It's possible you might get some guidance in the Gaming forum here- they can't guarantee anything either, but they might be able to tell you who is best avoided!

In reply to a post by billford:

What you're asking for is an ISP that will give you low and stable ping times rather than outright speed... and this is something that is almost impossible to predict in advance.

It's possible you might get some guidance in the Gaming forum here- they can't guarantee anything either, but they might be able to tell you who is best avoided!

Thank you billford, I'll check there.

Yeah its very hard to tell

i mean i was with talktalk and well...i got 15ms on a ADSL2+ which i was very suprised about.

you just never know.

Why don't you just sign for 3 months with Be and see for yourself? If the service is not what was advertised, you will be free to leave. Although I am pretty sure we will do our best to keep you here.

If you had BT Broadband a few years back you had the ultimate in terms of gaming ISPs due to the way BTB was set up. If you had BT Openworld or Yahoo then that was a slightly different proposition. Be interested to know what was disappointing about it.

DO NOT BE HERE.