Finally getting Broadband - Advice Please

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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:20 am

Yes, at long long last, I am finally upgrading from my crappy dial-up.

This is a package deal with Sky, how does it sound? Any comments?

Base - Up to 2Mb1
No monthly fee
Up to 2Mb1 download speed
Upload speed up to 400Kb1
2GB per month usage allowance

Cheers,
Simba

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:25 am

I can't comment on the spec as I'm no techie. But once you upgrade to broadband you will wonder how you ever put up with dial up for so long.

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:30 am

If you're new to broadband then that 2GB usage allowance is going to seem pathetic, one youre established with it you're still going to feel the same as you will go download nuts. Try and find a deal with unlimited downloads.

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:36 am

I'm with RL, That's not much. If your in the UK check this site out for the best deals: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:41 am

To give an example Simba, your download limit with that deal would be less then half a DVD, not much.

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:57 am

I have 10GB a month usage. I'm pretty much the only person who uses the internet at home. I use every drop...

I agree with Rodus as well, 2GB is not enough.

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:58 am

Virginmedia for all their detractors offer unlimited access (in UK at least) price is about the same. Can get their on-line firewall and anti-virus as well, speed is good most of the time, connectivity - never had a problem.

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:04 pm

So do *spit* Ti$cali. I have their unlimited download deal and now all the problems have been sorted with them shifting a lot of their servers, they aren't actually to bad.

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:28 pm

Problem with unlimited usage: if you start downloading too much, your ISP might catch on and cut you off, it's happened to a couple of friends of mine. At least if it's limited, they cant say you're downloading too much.

But mine's unlimited and I've never had a problem - but then again, I dont download too much.

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:32 pm

^^That sounds more like the fair usage agreement. I can technically download stuff 24/7 but I know from experience that if I use peer to peer between 6.00 and 11.00 pm then I'll get a rude email from my isp saying I am flooding the bandwith during peak time. Some isp's have been known to cut off people who constantly break the fair usage agreement but it has little to do with the amount of stuff downloaded, just when it's done.

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:29 pm

Hmmm, food for thought...

Thanks for the input guys.
I knew there had to be some catch because its a 'no monthy fee' deal, but I can upgrade to 8Mb1 for �5 per month so I definately think thats the option to take.

Thanks again,
Simba

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:39 pm

8mb is great, and possible if you live in the phone exchange. Most of the UK can't get that kind of speed so you may want to check out various broadband providers speed checks for your line, and remember that they're normally a gross overestimate. You'll probably find that unlimited download is far more important then line speed as long as you don't go below 2Mb. Otherwise it's like having a Ferrari with a 2 litre fuel tank.

Baiting Guru Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 11857 Location: UK

@ Simba, upgrading to the 8MB connection wont do you much good, that's just a faster download speed, which will only serve to get you up to your 2GB limit faster Very Happy

, what you need is more GB monthly bandwidth.

I'm have wireless from BT Broadband Total, before upgrading to Wireless, I was on 20GB per month usgae, then it went up to 40GB, now I am on unlimited download with wireless, but as Rodus says, there is a fair usage agreement, and they will let me know if I take the piss, but I could never use all my GB's unless I was running vampires all the time, for instance, this is my usage so far today, it would be a bit more but I didn't turn puter on until lunchtime:

Quote:

Broadband connection details:

Downstream = 8,096 Kbps
Upstream = 448 Kbps

Connection time = 0 days, 2:23:06

Data transmitted = 5.18 MB
Data received = 35.88 MB

After spening my usual amount of time per day online, if I had 2 GB usage, it would be gone well before the month is up, especially if you view videos or go on YouTube a lot etc.

This from the BT site for 5GB monthly usage:

Quote:

5 GB of usage will allow you to access content on the web at a moderate level, for example – 12 music tracks a day and 1 movie a week as well as your day–to–day web surfing.

If you regularly exceed this usage we will contact you to discuss options.

http://www.bttotalbroadband.bt.com/?s_intcid=con_intban_btcom_con_BBLIFE_hmpage

Click the images in each option on the link for details.

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 2:39 pm

Have a look at Demon. I run muguito every night @ 100kbits/sec for 8 hours and can rack up around 90 gB a month. Not had any problems yet.

As Rodus said- its all about when you do your downloading etc!!

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:30 pm

If I ran Mugito like that, comcast would shut me down for sure!

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:35 pm

i am with plusnet who have a no limit download but a fair usage policy.if you do use p2p,set your downloads for after midnight to 7am were most ISP's
have a no restriction policy for those times.

i manage to use around 48gb a month.free up grade to a max of 8mb line speed but only get just over 2mb.
service is real good(UK call centre and local number to call) and their packages are competitive.
both internet and phone cost me �28 a month and that includes line rental.

you need to shop around but my advice would be to try and avoid talk talk

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:40 pm

I agree that you will HUGELY underestimate the amount of download capacity you will need and 2GB is nowhere near enough, even for 'average' use. I've had to upgrade twice in the last year (damn porno..... Wink

)

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:15 am

@remmy223; I'd have to disagree about talk talk.

I get speeds of up to 6mb, a 40gb monthly limit,

and the only phone calls I generally have to pay for are to mobiles...

and all for �23 per month.

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:46 pm

Many thanks for the input all...

I am now going to upgrade the broadband side of the package. For an extra �5 per month I can have:

8Mb download speed
40GB Monthly usage allowance

Thats a big difference from the original 2Mb / 2GB isn't it?

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:24 pm

Yeah, thats a big difference....and only for 5 bucks. You will be happy!

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:30 pm

Broadband all booked up and will be installed in a couple of weeks..... Very Happy

People tell me it will make a huge difference, and it will be good to not have wires stretching from one end of the house to the other....

I means I will be offline for a week or so when I cancel my current dial up subscription, but I dont care....I am excited... jump_4_joy

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