Recommend DSL for non-LLU + high bandwidth user

Hi,

I've been spoilt for the last X years having been on cable since the 512kb Diamond Cable days, through NTL and then Virgin. I'm currently on 20Mb Virgin, and have no issues whatsoever. However, I am about to move into the sticks here - http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/WMADB, where even though I'm <1 mile from the non-LLU exchange and the potential speed checks out fine (not 20Mb fine though!) I am at a loss as to which ISP to go with.

Anyone have any recommendations for a high bandwidth user (360/PS3/iPlayer/usenet etc.)? I also work from home quite a lot connecting to remote sites to do work on Citrix/ESX etc..

I see many packages that are like 40GB/month. I know for a start these are no good for me (unless that's all I can get!) as I know I exceed that by loads. Cost isn't so much of an issue; Wife Approval pending on that of course. I know in this day and age "unlimited" doesn't mean that, but as close as possible would suffice

Cheers,

Nick

Edited by recall2000 (Tue 29-Sep-09 23:37:44)

It may be worth considering O2 Access. Until recently performance has varied considerably in 3-month cycles from good for a few weeks after a Central upgrade to poor to dire later on in the three months.

They have just introduced evening traffic management and there is an FUP that seems to be set at 100GB for usage in the management period but higher outside them allowable. The combination of those should improve the overall service.

75GB is available at a reasonable price with vivaciti Surfwise 75. Titan_ADSL seem to offer the same with 100GB, which seems odd to me. Ignore the Family packages at vivaciti as those are Enta based and subject to Entanet cost-cutting by the look of it.

Plusnet Unlimited fits but has severe throttling.

Thanks - O2 Access is the one I have actually been looking at, but the recent posts here seemed to hint at some severe FUP being imposed; I will do some more searching as maybe I have read it wrong. Traffic shaping I can live with, and I'll tailor my download habits to whatever hours suit the FUP best. I will take a look at those others you have mentioned as well, just in case.

However, all this said, BT have said that they can't turn on the phone line until the 15th October anyway (which I find unbelivable), so I can't do much until we get that Oh how I am going to miss my cable connection.

Thanks for the reply.

Nick

I think O2's FUP is fairly easy going - they don't just blindly look at the numbers, but at when you use it. So if the bulk of your usage is dumb downloading (eg, usenet), and you do it during the wee small hours of 1am-9am, O2 really won't care. Their big costs come from having to purchase enough bandwidth to supply the peak evening period. If you're not contributing heavily to peak time usage, they'll be happy.

...So yes, worth a look. Equally, do consider plusnet unlimited (watch the 18 month contract though!); if their throttling looks acceptable to you then give them a bash.

Plusnet 18-month contracts have been scrapped.

Now 14 days notice but if you leave within 12 months you have to pay (a) initial setup, (b) modem and (c) house move charge as applicable.

The free modem is optional.

Ah so they have. That's a recent change, I wrote plusnet off about 3 weeks ago on account of the 18 month contract.

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

The free modem is optional.

That's why I said as applicable .

Edit - in fact so is the house move.

Edited by RobertoS (Sun 04-Oct-09 14:49:42)