Reply to: Which ISP

[AtW]

So I take it that nobody use the business broadband packages?

I do - signed up with BT, they have 3 months trial that you can cancel (though they won't let you transfer to anyone else until 3 months are over), 29.99 + VAT, they say its unlimited traffic - on other packages they clearly state limits (guidelines), since its explicitly business line they can't really whine about its usage.

[BoredBloke]

Thanks for the info peeps. I'll check them out.

[The Lone Gunman]

So I take it that nobody use the business broadband packages?

You should not need a business package unless you are generating massive amounts of traffic. I would suggest a domestic package and change to commercial if they complain.

[eternalnomad]

So I take it that nobody use the business broadband packages?

Yes, I have BT business broadband.

They claim that with a business package the contention ratio is only 20:1 whereas for domestic ADSL it is 50:1

They also claim you will get "business level support" -in reality this still meant spending a very frustrating 1+ hours on the phone to those nice, polite and ever so knowledgable injuns whilst they try to resolve some issues I was having.

To be fair to BT, in the 3 or so years I had broadband I only ever experience 1 service outage and that was for a few hours.

In terms of actual bandwidth I am getting no better than my mate who is on the same exchange but with a residential package.

In summary, I'm not sure its worth paying the extra dosh for "business" because I have experienced download speed degradation when the local DVD pirate is on Kazza (and I know for a fact he isnt on a business ADSL package)

[BoredBloke]

So I take it that nobody use the business broadband packages?

[Board Game Geek]

Nildram....for at least the last 3 years....perfect service and FAST too...can't fault them.

[DaveB]

I'm on adsl4less, also known as HotChilli. £14.99 pm true unlimited download. Service is reliable, support is a little iffy but I've only callled them once in 2 years.

Run 3 PC's and two servers off it and never had a problem.

[eternalnomad]

Were I live the two cups and string which attach me to the tiniternet will only allow me to connect at a massive 1mbps. My ISP are offering a 1mbps link for £14.99 (unlimited download limit) which is some whay off the £24.99 I'm currently paying. So I am now out of contract and have my MAC code. Who are a good ISP to be with? I want an unlimited download, a reliable connection and preferably no 12 month contract.

Also, do any of you pay for business braodband as opposed to the cheaper home broadband accounts? If so, what are the benefits to justify the significantly higher monthly cost?

Tony,

the following site has a number of reviews of each ISP

http://www.adslguide.org

[Fungus]

Avoid ukonline like the plague. Useless support and there's been many days when they refuse the connection.

[ladymuck]

I use Nildram at home and they are pretty good. They havent outsourced their call centre to India, which is always a bonus!

Me too, have been with Nildram for years and get pretty good service from them. I have a residental account but one short email request and they happily changed the billing address and direct debit to that of my Ltd Co.

[swamp]

Telewest is £15 for 2MB unlimited. And it's cable so you don't get any crappy long line issues etc.

If you can't get Telewest then Virgin.net are OK, though their support line is premium rate.

[The Lone Gunman]

I am a resseller for one of the big players. I am not going to push my company on you but if you want a link to my site then ask. Same applies if you want to join the multi level marketting scheme (dont even think about starting the usual arguement)

In my experience all the big players are much of a muchness, as they get bigger their levels of service do not keep up but they are usualy cheap and they have a decent level of up time.

There is always a small provider offering faster or cheaper services. These are often very very good, but they very soon reach a bandwidth problem as their customer base grows.

Either pick a small firm and be willing to keep moving or put up with the standards of service of the big players.

Be aware that the smaller players do not own their own infra structure so can not upgrade to deal with bandwidth.

[Mailman]

I use Nildram at home and they are pretty good. They havent outsourced their call centre to India, which is always a bonus!

But heres the things...I live in Canary Wharf and even though this place is the new financial hub of London you still cant get anything above 2MB for broadband!

Mailman

[BoredBloke]

I'm not in a cable area so that is them and NTL out

[AtW]

I'd recommend Telewest's BlueYonder - they are probably the only ones who are honouring unlimited downloads at the moment. IMO Business account is only worth if you actually run business or use lots of bandwidth - so far I have not heard about BT and others trying to kick some fuss with business broadband users.