Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[keyap]

Just after some real world views and thoughts etc regarding which ISP to go for. Basically, I'm with Origin and have had no issues. My brother is currently on normal broadband with the phone coop and is about to move to fibre and I've suggested he look at Origin too but we don't want to make the move without considering other options.

He has a quoted line speed on 32mb to 43mb with a guaranteed min of 19mb and is looking for an unlimited package which ideally doesn't apply a fair usage policy, doesn't have any traffic shaping and doesn't block websites. Origin would seem to fit this criteria however, the Phone Coop also seem to meet this criteria, at a slightly cheaper price albeit their quoted speed are a fair amount lower?

He's been in touch with Origin and referred to the speeds quoted by the Phone Coop and Original have apparently done some 'additional checks' and are estimating his speed should be near the upper end of their quote.

Anyone got any thoughts or options on other ISP alternatives?

[kitz]

The sync speed should be the same regardless of which ISP you choose, as that is outside of the ISP control and purely down to condition of the physical line.

The estimates are just that. Until you go live no-one knows.

[keyap]

Thank you for the comment re speed: Good info to know and TBH I wasn't sure that was the case as different ISPs are quoting different speeds. They all give a min and max and some give a guaranteed min too. The guaranteed min seems fairly consistent but the difference between the highest and lowest quoted max speeds is over 8mb? Why would this be the case?

What about from a service, cost and the bits I put about policy/traffic shaping etc.......?

Would be really good to hear some views.

[roseway]

The estimates provided by the ISP's all come from the same BT source, but the way the figures are presented varies. You can get the 'official' estimates here: http://www.dslchecker.bt.com/adsl/adslchecker.welcome
You'll see that there are figures for 'clean' and 'impacted', the latter being lower as a result of crosstalk (interference from other subscribers' lines).

[keyap]

Thanks roseway, I'd found that checker on another thread and the speeds quoted are the same as some of the ISP quotes. What I'm not so sure about is why some ISP quotes are not the same? Lets say, as an example, that the 'clean' speed on that checker is high 70 and low 55 and that the 'impacted' is high 55 and low 35. Some ISP quotes show max/min as 70/55, but others show less, for example 63/48 and I was wondering why?

From what kitz said, I thought they would all be the same. Are some just being conservative or is there another reason.

[licquorice]

They all obtain the information from the same base source, so it is just their interpretation. At the end of the day, as Kitz has already said, it is just an estimate. You won't know what speed you will get until you are connected. Also remember it will be Openreach that will provide the service and maintain it on behalf of whichever ISP you choose. Some ISPs are better at kicking Openreach than others though, or so it is said.

[keyap]

Some ISPs are better at kicking Openreach than others though, or so it is said.

Too true, I've been reading reviews and there does seem quite a lot of variance 

[skyeci]

Perhaps have a look at sky..gigabit sky hub,ipv6 etc.. you can always use your own modem/router provided you are happy to set it up and it meets skys requirements with regards to option 61.

[NEXUS2345]

Sky are good, and their network is one of the best. TalkTalk Business are also good from what I have been told. I am with Zen and I cannot fault them, although they are pricier than most others. It might also be worth considering Uno. They have packages running through BT Wholesale and TalkTalk Business, however they provide the customer service, and from my experience it is incredibly good. They respond to tickets at all times of day, I have had responses at times ranging from 8PM, to 3AM, to 6:30AM.

At the end of the day it is up to you and your brother to decide, but my recommendation would be either Zen or Uno. Both are solid options, with Zen having their own backhaul in some exchanges while Uno relying on TalkTalk Business if you get their slightly more expensive packages.

[Weaver]

 

[Chrysalis]

note tho the dlm stability profile chosen varies by isp and some isps guarantee a minimum speed

[Weaver]

Just noticed this
>  is looking for an unlimited package which ideally doesn't apply a fair usage policy, doesn't have any traffic shaping and doesn't block websites.

There is an ISP that (a) has no FUP, (b) no traffic shaping (is completely uncontested) and (c)  guarantees not to block any websites unless legally compelled to.
    http://aa.net.uk/kb-broadband-realinternet.html

The latter requirement is something many ISPs don't mention, because they censor content based on the secret and unelected IWF blocklist.

If you want (d) unlimited downloads, this will be either expensive or a slow service. If cheap unlimited internet were even possible (it isn't) then everyone would be doing it. They aren't, because it doesn't exist. Do you want a fast ISP or a cheap one?
    http://clueless.aa.net.uk/linkreport.cgi
    http://aa.net.uk/kb-broadband-contention.html

I use this particular ISP, with requirements a-c. I could be truly unlimited with them, but it would cost me an eye-watering amount, and their unlimited deal is hard to find on he website. Instead it's much cheaper to pay for a limited amount of download. I pay for the exact amount I want, which saves me a huge load of money.

[kitz]

>> dlm stability profile chosen varies by isp

That thought crossed my mind last night too.

Especially with me looking at ISPs and having a line that on more than a few occasions a few weeks ago was sailing close to the wind since I picked up the other crosstalker.  Im still getting that 10-11 am spike most days.  It shows much clearer on DSLstats than MDWS, but several times Ive had amber traffic lights.   The big problem with stable is that if DLM did take action it could end up being difficult to clear and DLM seems borked.  Hence me being rather interested right now at what profiles ISPs offer.

As you know Im looking at Origin right now..  although they do use Plusnet white-label in some areas, here they are 'LLU' and have direct access to Openreach.    They set Standard by default, but if you ask really nicely it can be set at Speed

[Weaver]

Origin say
“This means no download limits, no fair usage policy, no traffic shaping, and no blocked websites.”

So that's possibly four out of four. Depends on what they mean by “traffic shaping” and on what you take it to mean. Having no traffic management of any kind and no download limits means potentially horrible performance unless all your customers are monks or on dialup, anyway, unusually restrained despite the all-you-can-eat-buffet on offer.

Without proper definition and published stats, that kind of remark is what marketing farketing people come out with.

Our leader wouldn't be looking at them if they were rubbish. Actual users are the thing of course.

[kitz]

Its hard trying to find a balance.  Cost is a concern atm.  Vodafone is my cheapest option but no static IP, and them seeming to reverse their stance on own modems rules them out.   There's a few things with running the site why static IP is handy, but I guess not necessary and could be worked around, but not being able to use my own router is a big no for me.

I've been aware of Origin for a long time..  they hit a sticky patch when Digital Region went bust but in fairness that was hardly their fault.  As the main ISP for DR, obviously they took the brunt of it, but in all fairness they did try help and even posted on here.  Since then they have been gradually expanding their own network. Customers seem happy enough.  24/7 support.  I rang to ask some general questions such as standalone pricing (Pulse8 do cheap line rental) and static IP.  CS rep I spoke to seemed very knowledgeable. 

Anyways, can't do anything just yet, Plusnet still faffing around with my ticket.  Apparently they tried to ring me this afternoon but I missed the call and didnt get the message they'd tried to ring until after 9pm.