Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Cough I think you will find Neil was hacked off with NTLs services and moved to a provider he didnt mind paying for that offered a reliable service.

I believe Hussein is still in charge but from day one as you say he never had a clue and was somewhat carried along.

Similar story goes with Ash and co who were carried along by Frank.

The main problem with NTL is the rot starts at the top.

:)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

mmmmm- not sure how $ky+ will change the way you watch tv. Sit down- look at screen - thats it

You have ignored the mainpoint. Yes hard disk, pause live tv etc is very nice- but why pick the version which only works with $ky ?

Say in 2 years $ky lose the key contract (footy film simpson etc ) which make you want to pay them - you unsubscribe - and have a £200 doorstop+ or keep paying them even though their offer may not be what you want.

I believe open source versions will work with Ntl or indeed motorised sat, providing many more options, probably based on your pc

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

you missed the obvous you can fast forward through the adverts after you have copied a tv programme.

also

If you have missed something on a tv programme you are watching you can rewind a programme back upto 1hr watch the part you missed then fast forward to the part where you rewinded from & sky+ always tells you just how far you are from to catch up (which is usually while the adverts are running) :)

:eek: I will have to rewind these posts in this thread to find out how the h3ll this thread got from Want ADSL?-Read on.... to the topic of sky+

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Can anyone in their right mind see anyone else getting "key" contracts and putting them on a channel that Sky does not carry?

One way that Sky+ alters the way that you watch TV is that you can set a programme such as a Formula One race to record because you cannot get to watch it live as you are arriving home ten minutes after it is due to start. Using conventional recorders you would have to wait until the race ended before being able to watch it from the start. With Sky+ you can immediately watch it from the start in its entirety, rewind it if there is some action you want to see replayed and then continue watching to the end skipping advertising breaks at 30X normal speed whilst being able to see a picture instead of noise bars.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

That may well be an advantage --- and other systems either in a silver box under your telly, or by configuring your PC and connecting it to your telly, will or can do the same. But will do it with any system whatever happens to TV in the future. The $ky+ box will only do what Ruperts little lad tells it to do- If the best subscription option is not sky you will be stuffed- with $ky + or any other platform specific system- do ya get my point now ?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

I think you'll struggle to find a box that will match the sky + dual recording feature - I cant see anything coming out that will match that on satellite.

it requires to feeds from the dish - something sky have to install.


the only alternative subscription service is NTL - when a box comes out for NTL's service, if it has the SKY plus dual record features, it will also be useless on other platforms.


when you get sky + you have 30 days to try it and you can cancel and get a full refund - I suggest you try it for 30 days and then tell us what you think.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I think I have proved my inital point that it is agreed sky beats ntl- it clearly does not in digital areas.

As to $ky + I can't understand how its worth it. But yer pays yer money ......

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Thanks for the info on Pipex,Nildram and Zen I might get one of them Nildram and Zen look really good. NTL has ****ed me off in the last few days, I think they upgraded my bill to 600k and my modem is still on 150k after i restarted soo many times.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

I think I am also going to go for Pipex, main reaosn been For like £17.57, it gives you a modem, 2 micro-filters, and activation fee, thats all about £130 with NTL i only paid abotu £30 for the guy to come and install the cable in my room. They had installed the NTL cable into the building I live in, so i got BT no need to transfer my telephone company. lol. Thanks for the advice

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Posted this in this thread, but that was a bit off topic, so I'll post it here instead ;)...

Basically to summarise, I'm thinking of kicking NTL out the window and going with ASDL. Currently have NTL phone and Cable Modem. A few questions though...

In regards to porting the number, would I get a number initially from BT, then if the line is installed okay, I tell NTL I want to cancel and tell BT I want to port the number?

Slightly worrying though the mention that some numbers are not 'portable'. Any way of finding out if your number is one of those? I don't really want to lose the number at the moment (though I could resort to paying both NTL and BT line rentals and use BT just for ADSL. I could still probably get ADSL cheap enough to make it equivalent to what I'm paying at the moment).

The main issue though is finding an ADSL provider that don't have transparent proxies, don't block any ports, allow you to run servers without restriction (email and web especially), don't have a download cap, don't use a premium-rate support line, and don't make you wait 40 minutes and cut you off when you do call support.

I've had PlusNet recommended to me... 2Mbps for £39 a month, 1Mbps for £29.99 a month. NTL... wake up and smell the real world :p:

I'll also need to get a plain Ethernet ADSL modem (no need for a router as I've got one), but I've got my eye on one that's fairly cheap.

The possible screw up on all of this is BT saying my line is too crap for ADSL. At least if they say I can only have 512kbps I will get 256kbps upstream which is mainly what I want.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

What happens is that you ring BT, book the phone line install (probably free as you are reconnecting) and tell them you want to port your number. They take your current number and account number and give you a date (normally 7 working days). That's it, they come when they say they will, they install the line, and if you give it 24 hours you'll be able to enter your current number into the number checker on the site of your chosen ISP and then order it.

Thats how it all worked for me anyway, I'm now with Bulldog, they are great, a plain net connection, no proxies, no caps, no blocked ports, and they tec/cust services answer the phone fairly quickly. They also have a geographical number for their tec support so you don't have to pay 0870 prices.

Everything you could ask for in an ISP. :)

www.bulldogdsl.com
0870 BULLDOG (285 5364)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

What about giving NTL notice? i.e. surely if I ring BT now and say I want a new line and the number ported, NTL are going to tell them to get stuffed as far as the number is concerned?

Or does the number get ported and the NTL line converts to some other number until it's cancelled?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

BT do it all for you (OFCOM rules AFAIK)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Okay, BT line is booked, though they can't do it until 1st October.

Slight problem, they don't believe there's ever been a BT line there, even though there's a BT socket in the house. Hmm, exactly what NTL said when I got hooked up with them :suspect:.

I'm 99% certain the person there before me had BT as when I moved in I got NTL put in (the NTL cable was up to the house but not to my flat), and so there was only a BT socket at the time. It says 'BT' on it and unless the person before had been living there for 9 years without ever having activated it, it must have been BT.

So anyway, they're charging me £75 :(


Porting the number was easy, although they've said I'll never be able to use Call Minder, 1471 or Call Return with a ported number. Still, at least I get get Caller Display and know it'll work with my phone which is more than can be said for NTL.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

That's only a couple of weeks away. :)

[QUOTE=DeadKenny]Slight problem, they don't believe there's ever been a BT line there, even though there's a BT socket in the house. Hmm, exactly what NTL said when I got hooked up with them :suspect:.
If there's a BT socket in the house, then BT installed it at some stage.

I am certain that you don't have to pay this, & the fact that you have a BT socket in the house supports the fact that it is a reconnection (which is free)


Not to mention an upload speed of 256k (which I know you've wanted for a long time. ;) )

[Edit] http://www.bt.com/reconnect/index.js...K&obsOID=83045

Your property is not new, & must have had a BT phone line in 9 years ago surely, as ntl (Cabletel) weren't around in your area were they?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

I note that say "Please note that some properties may have a white BT socket installed e.g. new property development, this will classify as a new connection and free reconnection will not apply"

However, it's not a new property (it's over 100 years old), and has the old overhead BT cable connecting the place.

I'll have to try and argue it when they come to install it. They'll probably turn up and realise it's a wasted journey but if I can get them to confirm (in writing perhaps) that it's definitely a pre-existing install then I should be able to get BT to refund the money.


Indeed :D. No more need for 1Mbps just to get 256kbps upload :tu:, so that's a saving of £16 with PlusNet (based on their 512/256 service and 'unlimited' use option. It's even cheaper if I go for a capped service).

Though 2Mbps/256kbps for £39 uncapped is also tempting, though I probably don't need uncapped as I doubt I use that much. Cool thing is I can get 2Mbps capped at 2Gb per month for £19.99 and PAYG for the extra, so I can see how it goes and adjust it.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Welcome to the world of choice my friend, I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay. ;)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

This charge probably wont turn up on your bill, it didn't on mine even though they insisted they were going to charge it. :)

I'd take that with a pinch of salt mate, I ported my number and have no problems using the facilities listed above (apart from call minder, we use the free 1571) :)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Cool. Just have to see how it goes anyway.

As for ADSL. I assume all the line tests can be done prior to me buying the modem? I know PlusNet do modems, but I want to get a plain Ethernet ADSL Modem (not router/modem) as I have my self-built router, but I don't want to go buy the modem if the line tests fail.

i.e. they don't require a modem to be plugged in for the tests?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Solution is simple dont buy the Adsl modem until you get the notice that your line is okay to have Adsl.

I run with both Ethernet Router & Ethernet Adsl/Router & the combination is good, i found looking at the various Adsl Ethernet modems on offer (within my price range) didnt offer that much (with regards to internal modem options) & was such a head spin for choosing as i didnt want to waste my hard earned cash on the wrong type of Adsl modem, so i posted on the forum for any suggestions & Neil suggested Netgear as that was his choice & a good one it was. :Yes:

No :)

Reading My Thread will help you

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Cheers. These threads with your experiences are very useful :tu:

As for the modem, I was looking at this...

D-Link DSL-300T ADSL Ethernet Modem

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

If your looking to buy the D-Link 300T then its slightly cheaper Here as the postage is FREE if you decide to order it dont forget to use the Cable Forum url link (Check with a mod to see if its still accessible) :)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

We now have our very own Amazon Store! :D

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/amazonstore/

Spend all you like there! :p:

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

I love the first result when you click on the cable TV button :

Maybe someone should tell NTL :D

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Just a bit of info. for people wanting to move to ADSL, I swapped to one.tel about a month ago and the service was awful, my router disconnected every couple of hours, the speeds were terrible and the customer service staff were very rude and abrupt, I've since moved to wanadoo (which I was a bit worried about doing) and the actual DSL service is very good, no disconnects yet and pages load a lot faster, admittedly the 1 meg service I'm on has a 30 gig a month cap but I don't think I've ever exceeded that in all the time I've had broadband. It's also very reasonably priced at £27.99 for the 1 meg service.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Okay, BT line installed (after a little bit of work as they discovered it had been physically unplugged somewhere after 6 or more years of non-use. Not sure if that will mean I get charged the £75 in the end, but they've already put £75 down on the contract details despite there being a BT socket in existence).

However the number port seems to be dragging. I've got an outbound dial-tone but no inbound calls yet as the port is still "in the queue". The BT guy said it may take a while, but should be within the same day. The line was done this morning and still no sign of the number being ported across yet.

Update: Number port has gone through now. So far so good :tu:

Haven't decided on a modem yet though. I need one that works well with most routers, and I'm reading bad things about some of the D-Links. Does anyone use Freesco or any other linux router together with an ADSL modem, and what modem do you use?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Update 2: Application gone in for PlusNet and they've accepted everything so far for 2Mbps uncapped pending line checks :tu:

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Update 3: Hmm, rejected at the 2nd step where they verified the line. Initial reply suggests it could be something "incompatible" on the line :(

Still, it could just be I put the application in too soon and the number isn't fully registered on BT's system. Hope so otherwise I could be out of luck :(

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Update 4: Looks like I'd jumped the gun that's all. It's resubmitted and they tell me it's due for activation on the 13th :tu:

So, modems...

Anyone know anything about X-Modem?

I need to know if it works with linux routers like Freesco.

Failing that, any other recommended standalone Ethernet modems that are a drop-in replacement for the cable modem. The D-Link seems to get bad reviews for compatibility (but then X-Modem has compatibility problems with some routers also).

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

This is an old thread but a very interesting one.
I'm looking at getting 2meg adsl with Nildram. Why 2meg? Well my eldest and i used to actually manage to share a 512k adsl for gaming a few years back. It was'nt perfect, but it was playable, we tried sharing 1 meg cable, but it was'nt good. Since the 1.5meg its not been that good at all,for gaming or much else except browsing etc. He's had his own 1meg adsl put in, and hes happy as larry but it costs him money he cant really afford.
I find i just cant get a decent game of UT with cable, and i've just got fed up of trying.
Been with NTL for 2 yrs, and been pretty happy with the service overall,and the help i've had here when there has been trouble.
So if Nildram dont look after me, i hope ntl will have me back. ;)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Downside for me is I have heard you have to "log on" each time you use the Internet or restart your PC. One of the main benefits of ntl is the "always-on" connection. I'd miss that. Can anyone confirm whether or not you do have to log in to ADSL or is this a myth.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

No you don't have to.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Yep, Neil is right... When I had ADSL (with Club Internet back in 2000) I only had to do that because the ISP insisted on it, but I soon managed to find a workaround ;)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

My recollection is that ADSl does act like a dialup, but in many setups, it is set to connect during PC startup - actually, if you're paranoid about "leaks", you may prefer to have it manually initiated - especially if on one of the 1Gb or 2Gb capped services, as "always on" is not such a great idea then.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Yep, good point that if you're metered it may be something to consider (especially if you've got a wireless router too)... I hadn't thought of that, as I had unmetered back then.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

ADSL's "dial-up" nature is a throw back to the fact BT rolled it on on horrible USB adapters.

ADSL routers and standalone modems are basically the same as cable modems (which are mini-routers in themselves just with NAT abilities turned off usually). These are "always on" (assuming you leave the thing switched on). Rebooting your PC doesn't require reconnection in this case.

There is authentication involved with ADSL with username/password and this must be set up in the router/modem, whereas cable is authenticated on MAC address (easily faked, but then you're sharing the data with all your neighbours so who cares about security ;)).

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

What's the ADSL of choice these days?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Judging by numerous recent complaints (see el reg), not Bulldog :eek:

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Try the advanced search on asdlguide to find an ISP that suits you. It all depends on what start up costs you're willing to pay and what sort of equipment you want throwing in. :)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Oh yes, Bulldog, things are very bad at the moment I'd not recommend them if you like your ISP hassle free. :disturbd:

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Just a quiet warning, Plusnet ADSL is traffic shaped, and the effects can be pretty noticeable even on the so called 'premier' package so I've been informed.

http://www.adslguide.org.uk/newsarchive.asp?item=2314

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

We have Demon HomeOffice at our Office and it seems to be good if you like your ADSL hassle free...

(and with a static IP, so static it is printed on your subscription details card).

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

As with all PlusNet scares like this, all smoke, no fire ;)

No signs of anything remotely problematic here, and have been getting full rate on certain P2P apps, but to be frankly fair, no one really is going to be running P2P apps with the expectation of running flat out at 100% anyway. If on the other hand you were streaming broadband video and it slowed down due to traffic shaping, then there would be a lot to complain about, but that's not what's happening.

Of course the usual band of people will complain about how they want a 100% unlimited, uncapped, unshapped and contended at 1:1, because some bit of product literature once upon a time said "unlimited" and they aren't getting it. Well, here's the reality guys... those days are gone!

If anyone thinks other ISPs don't traffic shape or are not planning to, they are seriously kidding themselves. Most ISPs do, as do the numerous servers and routers that act as the hops around the net. The reality is the Internet has to be managed this way or else it grinds to a halt. More so as VoIP and VOD becomes popular.

The main problem with PlusNet is they are honest. Far too honest. They tell it how it is. Most ISPs do exactly what PlusNet do, just they don't tell anyone about it. Mind you, most ISPs don't go announcing one thing one week and change their mind the next ;) (so arguably this traffic shapping business will probably go away once they've had a barage of moans in adslguide forums, and then they'll do something else).

At the end of the day, PlusNet deliver the goods, and I get a fast 2Mbps service for bargain prices but with nice frills and pretty darn good customer service (more than I can be said for certain ISPs).

And you have to admit... how many ISPs will actually appologise for slow file sharing speeds? ;). Most will more likely react with a tone of dissaproval about file sharing anyway.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

OK We'll pretend they weren't pretending it was nothing to do with them for a couple of weeks before they admitted to it then, and that they had an 18 minute long queue for the phones 11pm last night, and that they disconnect users overnight on a random basis to loadbalance their creaking pipes, and that they aren't running their BT Interconnects close to 100% both bandwidth and sessions wise :)

They're too cheap sadly :(

BTW Routers on the internet certainly do not traffic shape, it's in their interest to get as much data as possible so that they can charge for the usage of their bandwidth. Can't see transit providers traffic shaping so that their customers pay them less somehow.

Anyway here's a few less than satisfied people:

http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/showthre...anded&sb=5&o=0

http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/showthre...anded&sb=5&o=0

http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/showthre...anded&sb=5&o=0

Along with their total utilisation, note the nice flat top as the bandwidth maxes out, and the spat at 11 o'clock where something was done with the traffic shaping that made a couple of hundred Mbps appear from nowhere.

http://www.plus.net/support/adsl/adsl_utilisation.shtm

Also note the jaggy bits where they disconnect users to try and balance their heaving BT interconnects.

Also I highly recommend PN's own customer forums at http://portal.plus.net/central/forums/index.php username guest password guest.

You get what you pay for sadly.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

99% of their users will be unaware of this, but anyway.

18 minutes... pah, NTL had that beat at 40 minutes and that was on a regular daily basis not just a one off :p:


Well Cisco have a lot of money invested in QoS routers. Many are used by ISPs obviously, but if you traceroute a site on the net you are using numerous ISPs on the way and are only out on the "real" net for a short part of the journey. The rest can be traffic shaped at both ends by numerous routers on the way.

Traffic shaping is inevitable.

Interesting read regarding P2P on the net...

http://www.lightreading.com/document...435&print=true


Now read all the other forums on adslguide, just as vocal or more so about other ISPs;). Ever read the threads here about NTL, and also on the other similar sites and the old nthellworld? Hmm, Seem to recall a lot more voice on that one ;)

adslguide is full of the 0.1% who like to moan ever 2 seconds. Give them a week and they'll have forgotten about it when they realise it's a non-issue anyway.

Of course loads of armchair complainers like to presume their crappy speed test results are as a direct result of the ISP's actions without any real evidence ;)

Not sure what you're looking at there, but looks like a pretty average utilisation graph to me. Nothing at 100% there, though it doesn't specify what the pipe limits are anyway and it's a very simplistic graph that doesn't show the full picture. Would love to see NTL's utilisation graphs :D

A minor blip at 6am. NTL take people offline for longer periods than that when balancing their network, and often leave them off resulting in frustrated calls, engineers out and it turns out they just needed their modems rebooting ;)

Yep, great quality service that works :tu:. I've recommended it to dozens of people and they're all happy (and I'm even more happy as I get a discount from their referrals :D... and it they were unhappy I'd stop getting the discounts as they'd have quit ;)).

Paid twice as much with NTL, total crap all the time as you well know ;).

Guess you've got a beef with Plus though, just as I had with NTL :p:

I keep getting the "please come back" begging letters from NTL... I'm tempted to send them back with a "when hell freezes over" response :D

Yours, looking forward to 8Mbps (which is quite possible given my distance from the exchange, 4Mbps definite) :p:

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Trust me they don't go that close to max for most of the day, and if I could show you I would, cable modem network running at less than 40% capacity, core less than 25% at peak times. A bit of a contrast to Plusnet you could say, who are effectively maxing, especially when you consider that they aren't going to get the 2480Mbps on the graph from their BT Interconnects, and these interconnects are deployed in 74Mbps chunks. Wonder how many of these are full :s

No we don't, network balancing from ntl uses a command which doesn't disconnect customers modems at all.

Looks like it's sponsored by Ellacoya, and is hopelessly out of date. P2P is shaped by consumer ISPs if at all, isn't touched while traversing core networks in between them, so to say it's shaped all along the internet isn't really the case, some ISPs do it, far from all, and it'll almost certainly only be done at one point, core network bandwidth is very cheap.

Be interesting to see how badly they start shaping on the 4/8M services, especially considering how much they are struggling with the current 2Mbit service pricing. If you think cable won't keep up or go faster you're quite wrong :)

Interesting how these same people were fine before hand and Plusnet by their own admission have made some mistakes with the shaping. Also interesting how in at least one of those threads a guy was complaining of slow speeds on all applications, when he logged on through the BT test, eliminating PN entirely from the equation, speeds were fine, strange that.

You're confusing traffic shaping of this kind, application level shaping, with MPLS based traffic / route tagging. The two are quite different things.

Interesting how few people are happy with them blocking legitimate traffic through poorly implemented port blocking, traffic shaping after advertising the service as shaping free, messing up their traffic shaping.

If you're happy with this fair play to you. Though when was the last time you had anyone complain of ntl being congested? :) There's basically zero congestion anywhere now. More than can be said for certain companies that have underpriced to the point where they have to both artificilaly contend customers (BT's 50:1 product is actually delivered at 25:1 or better usually, though PN are enforcing 30:1 through shaping, and customers on the 20:1 product which PN alledge has 15:1 are seeing the same issues as resi custs, because when a pipe's full it's full whatever you're paying) and restrict applications.

Still look on the bright side, your 4/8Mbps definite will be great when they take another 5% off some apps, then another 5%.... :)

Nah, I've a beef with lying scrote ISPs who lie to their customers about major things, sell them products then change the terms, and unlike ntl and the previous cap issues refuse to let customers out of their contracts despite this blatant change to T+Cs.

Add that to their various methods to cut down usage, the 'Bad Boy Pipe' stuffing all the heavy users onto a single network segment so they can contend (not actually a bad idea!), the Fair Use Policy that came then went, etc, etc.

Sympathy with them that it's BT prices that cause them to be in this situation, zero sympathy that they are charging a cut price for a *******ised service in an attempt to gain customers, and their quality of service is suffering as a result, both technically and from the support point of view.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

NTL did cut me off quite often during their attempts to mess about with the network. The number of times I found my modem in a poor state and then looked up the online status page (when it was working), and I'd find they'd been playing about in my area about the exact time the modem went down :(. I also remember it would often reboot at midnight.

From what I understood, 3Mbps was a struggle with concern whether the network would cope, needed to roll out new equipment, and certain management would have rather not offered such high speeds to "bandwidth hoggers" anyway ;)

However when forward thinking Telewest come on board, things may change.

Can NTL's cable network really can cope with 8Mbps across the board for all customers without a major level of investment?. Sure the modems (some of them) can go to 30Mbps, but the same issues apply in regards to distance and fibre/coax is quite susceptible to noise and interference (certainly in my experience).

As I understand it NTL are looking to ADSL technology (maybe ADSL2+) over their copper phone lines instead to deliver the goods as they know cable can't cut it ;). Actually I'd be quite interested in that as NTL can put equipment quite close to the customer which means high speeds are quite achievable and cheap to provide. Just a shame I cannot put up with their customer service (again maybe Telewest will help there).


Speed tests on Plus for me, including using their own tester, shows I've been getting pretty much bang on what's expected for 2Mbps all during this (non)"event".

I believe it was NTL themselves who wrote letters to customers who were maxing out the network to the detriment of other customers ;)


They may as well remove this clause from the UP then...

"Customers who use the services more heavily than a normal home user will reduce the performance of the network for other customers."

;)

To quote PN...

"PlusNet network contention and the BT contention ratio are different, but both apply to your connection. PlusNet network contention is the maximum contention you will experience on our broadband network, which helps you choose the most appropriate product. The BT contention ratio describes how many other broadband users you share with at your local telephone exchange."

BT's exchange contention is one you'll never really experience anyway. PlusNet's is the same as all other ISPs in existance in that there are always going to be a finite number of customers contended for a limited resource (the pipe). They've just put a number on it and used QoS to split between two packages instead of using a cap.

What it is not is PN applying 30:1 on a 50:1 contented product. It doesn't work like that. 50:1 is the exchange contention, 30:1 is the pipe contention. Totally different.

Anyway, I've never experienced congestion issues with PlusNet myself, even when using P2P. Most "complaints" with PlusNets are all based on announcements and not experience. At the end of the day the service still runs at a quality level of service for the vast majority.


They normally let people out of their contract. They'll probably change their mind here anyway ;)

I can take constantly changing T&Cs, so long as at the end of the day my broadband works, I get about the speed I'm paying for and I can still do everything I could before. All this, for me, is absolutely true of PlusNet who have delivered everything I want :D

NTL on the other hand couldn't deliver a stable connection despite years of pestering them in the hope it would change. Can't deliver... customer leaves.

Interestingly, NTL is still a dirty word in the office I work ;)

All came out in the wash though. As I say their fault is in being honest about what they're planning and announcing things without thinking. At least they listen to their customers ;)

I strongly dissagree with you over their customer service. I've been nothing short of extremely impressed with it. Can't say that at all about NTL who's customer service you well know I viewed as the worst of the worst in the world (where's my compensation for all those days they never turned up and screwed up making me take time off work? :rolleyes: ).

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

A fair bit of what you say, especially about ntl, network capabilities, etc, isn't really accurate.

They should be alright so long as you don't download too much though, looks as though they've answered my questions about the 4 / 8Mbit, adding hard capping to the traffic shaping:

http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/showthre...Number=1957549

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

And I wonder what NTL would do if lots of people were downloading 248Gb a month? ;)... ah but they can't :D

Zen will do the same as the likes of PlusNet though ultimately (and Plus aren't the first). No ISP can ultimately provide a truly unlimited service free for P2Pers to download at max capacity and also promise a near to 1:1 experience like most the heavy "downloaders" seem to expect for a consumer broadband product (even at NTL's prices).

I don't really see the problem really. These issues only affect a very small minority who really are expecting a level of service from a consumer product more akin to a business level product.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

ADSL Seams expensive.. :(

how would i go about networking these up.. as i am loooking for a router kinda thing.. atm im on ntl, and use LAN, i got 3 PC's connected, and i have to always have one computer on, so the other computers get the internet...

with a router, does this stop??

Thanks :),
oh and also, i've never had BT phone line, only NTL, i think.. ( im 100% sure of it tho )

Thanks for helping :)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

You can get a Router that would connect to your Cable Modem/Set top Box and as long as the router is on all PCs connected would receive an internet connection. I read that you want to move over to ADSL on another thread, if this is so, you really need to make your mind up before buying a router as an ADSL router will not work on NTL and a Cable Router (for NTL) will not work on ADSL without a special (expensive) modem.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Im only going to get a router, if and when i change over ISP's,

thanks for your help fella

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

sorry i know its :notopic: but meh, I just rolled over 1500 posts, go me:D

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

oo Weldone, im on 9 now :D
whats your connection? 2mb or 2mbit?? how fast is that?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

2MBit, same as you, downloads at a good, solid 230kb/s normally.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Yer thats good then, just wondering you seam good with PC's you play CS:Source or anything?? because there having a few issues with PC's not working due to an updated patch, n maybe ya would know a few things that would cause this??

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

I play CS:Source now and again, I part-run a community of Gamers called LoonyAsylum.net (type the URL in if u want :)) We have 2 CS 1.6 Servers, one normal, one fun, and a CS Source server. We might either be getting a DOD Source or a Battlefield 2 Server next, ive not heard of this conflicting patch, have you checked the Steampowered.com forums?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

oo cool, ill check it out! whats DOD??

ermm patch info here..
http://forums.steampowered.com/forum...hreadid=350098
tons of people having problems.. nothing seams to work.. it works on my old pc (5-6 yrs old) not my new one, an its nearly the same, just better! :( stuck with normal cs

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

And this has what to do with ADSL installation exactly??

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

2Mbit - Plusnet - £14.99 a month

8Mbit - Bulldog/UKOnline - ~£29.99 a month

24Mbit - BEThere - £24.00 a month

All cheaper than Ntl/Smellywest's current offernngs :erm:

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Don't think any of them are in my area....plusnet doesnt seam to have a checker? lol

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

If you can get a BT line then PlusNet will be in your area (at present in general you do need a BT line for ADSL, though I believe NTL are trialling ADSL2+ in some areas but not sure if that's over BT lines or their own).

There is a checker somewhere on PlusNet's site but I can't find it at the moment, they've probably moved it to the application process forcing you to attempt to sign up before telling you if you can get it or not ;)

However you can also check by going to BT's site...

http://www.bt.com/broadband/

You can enter a BT number or a post code.

The ones you may not be able to get are the LLU services offering higher speeds than BT presently does (though BT are trialling higher speeds at present).


Therefore you can also check with this checker, which will tell you not only BT availability but also LLU options like EasyNet and Bulldog, plus tells you if you're in a cabled area if you search by post code...

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

well i did that man, and

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/10/14.gif Bulldog is not available at your location.
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/10/14.gif HomeChoice is not available at your location.
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/10/14.gif Easynet is not available at your location.
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/10/14.gif Node4 is not available at your location.
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/10/14.gif Trilogy Telecom is not available at your location

also, 'You are approximately 1.86km from the exchange (straight line distance). ' is that good?
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/10/14.gifYour exchange is enabled for SDSL!

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/10/14.gifYour exchange is enabled for ADSL!
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/10/14.gif There is capacity at your exchange for further ADSL connections.


Thats all!
so im stuck with 2mb.. well 3mb max from ntl.. damn...? :(

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Or 8Mbit from BT in the coming months when they release the new MAX product :)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

I doubt it will be avalible in my area... thinking bout going higher on NTL.. get a buisness connection.. could imagen 45gb.. yummy. :P if only i had that much money..... hmm...i need to recheck the price of it.. lol

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

You think?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/14/bt_max/

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

hmm i doubt it will be tho, lol also, why is bt only 2mb? i thought it was a big company..?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Why?

Surely if you can get 2Mbit you are on an exchange that will be upgraded?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Congratulations, you are in a broadband enabled area.

The following services are available in your location:

BT Wholesale ADSL
BT Wholesale SDSL
ntl:home cable
Bulldog LLU ADSL and SDSL
Easynet LLU ADSL and SDSL
Node4 LLU ADSL and SDSL

Well I forgot who node4 are but anyhow I am waiting a reply of BT to see if they can waive the setup fee for a phoneline and if yes then I am speaking to the landlord tommorow anyway and will get his approval on it if I can. If I go for ADSL I will be sticking with ntl for tv, not sure about my phone because as I understand it I have to have the phone to keep my tv and I currently have free line rental.

and this

You are approximately 1.78km from the exchange (straight line distance).

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

because in my area we can't be bulldog n stuff.. even tho theres room in the exchange, even tho. when i phoned up, they told me 100% that it was filled up, and they had to wait for room..

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

But the MAXdsl will be provided by BT:)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

hmm... so whens the eta on that =-/

also who owns the exchanges? sorry if random question..?

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

It's all in the link I gave :)

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

BT owns them (used to be the Post Office years ago ;) )

With LLU (local loop unbundling), the likes of Bulldog and EasyNet are allowed to install their own equipment in BT's exchanges and I think they essentially own the line to your house (though repairs to the line might still involved BT, not sure. I guess LLU companies pay BT for that?). Normally BT owns the line and equipment and ADSL providers buy off BT Wholesale, hence the prices are driven by BT.

LLU often provides higher speeds but mainly due to short distances to the exchange. BT's maxDSL is basically BT opening their speeds up to provide 8Mbps potentially so all providers buying off BT Wholesale can offer this, but it's still subject to line lengths. If you are very close you may get 8Mbps, otherwise could be 4 or 2Mbps. Some people a fair distance or on poor quality lines are still limited to 512kbps. This is different to cable where you can get the full speed wherever you live but poor line quality results in disconnections instead.

Coming up after maxDSL is ADSL2+ which has potential speeds of 24Mbps, but again will vary on line length. Needs a modem supporting ADSL2+ though. BT, the LLU providers and even NTL are looking at ADSL2+ technology.

It won't stop there either, though I still think the dream of 100Mbps fibre to home like some countries is a long way off. Then again, BT are committed to switching POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) to IP by something like 2010 and with Sky buying up the likes of EasyNet there could be a huge drive to get video and phone technology streaming over IP at huge rates and 100Mbps may be necessary ultimately.

Cable have problems keeping up in this area unless they are prepared to do fibre to home. Current coax/fibre hybrid is pretty crappy. It's like old thick-ethernet technology in many ways which was flawed.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

there is a bit more to it as well, those using bt wholesale services have to purchase bt central pipes which cost at an level making it unviable to have uncapped or high capped services, this is why plusnet pipex etc. are all changing their polocies, but if you look at bulldog and easynet,telewest they dont have the same restrictions. NTL and wannadoo are the odd one's out in this case.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

Then again there are other restrictions, such as EasyNet doesn't allow running of many servers (they block the ports).

There are negative and plus points for all of them and not really any single one ISP that's all round-perfect. Or at least if there is, it won't last long. Consumer broadband is just something that has to be managed in some form as speeds increase.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

The restrictions you mention are just their own choice of policy rather then limitation of technology.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

A useful link if you're wanting ADSL but your exchange hasn't been enabled.

http://www.thepowerofbroadband.org.uk

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

I would not jump back to a phone line from a cable one, no way pedro

---------- Post added at 12:53 ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 ----------

I think a lot of it is down to luck, where you live ect: You can get one person who says "Oh yes, blueyonder is great, no problems" then you get another one who says it's unreliable and thev'e had nothing but trouble with it
and they are looking to change ISP's. All I can say is that ever since I started using cable, I would never go back to dsl again.

Re: Want ADSL?-Read on....
 

I'm just in the middle of waiting for my UKOnline 8Mbit ADSL connection when still using my ntl 4Mbit Cable Modem and have one thing to say - I pray to get the new one as soon as possible .. I've been with ntl for almoust 2 years, for the first year it was really ok.. I always knew that they have a really bad support but as long as my connection was working fine I didn't mind ..

5 months ago I've started to loose my connection, lagging out in on-line games, slow connection most of the time etc. I was calling them around 5-7 times (they've refunded only one of these 25 minutes calls!) before one of them told me that I'm connected to the WRONG server... Only God knows for how long and how they did it ..

After switching me to the right one problem was resolved .. for around 1 week :D becasue lags came back, twice worser than before. Especially between 18pm-23pm. I phoned them up and they said I'm connected to the right server this time .. And ofcourse sang me their old well known song about "virus, restarting modem/pc, spyware" .. and after around next 5 calls (hell .. I really paid a lot for these calls) they've send an engineer.. and surprisingly he knew what he was doing but ... he had no bloody idea what is the problem and after few things checked told me that he has no more time for me and I have to call ntl centre to get another appointment ...

Are they kidding me? ... I'm not perfectly sure about that but I think ntl's ratio is 100/1 when even BT has 50/1 and UKOnline is on 33/1, inlcluding hours of the problem it's not hard to see what is the cause of it ...

So conclusion is simple - if NTL will not wake up and start providing a Service (with big S) and not a "service" as they do at the moment then even mariage with Virgin Media won't help them and they will loose us one by another - just like they've lost me and many others already

ADSL2+ for the win ...