There are a couple of old threads about broadband providers in the Sydenham area, but since the most recent posts on them are from early 2008, I thought I would start a new one.
I've been with BT since 1995 and until recently was fairly happy. But now I notice that speeds are being choked off from mid/late afternoon progressively through the evening. My supposed eight meg service is now averaging 1.3 meg or less in the post five o'clock period. This is ridiculous.
My reluctance to move from BT is entirely to do with the fact of having the same e-mail address since 1995, but I'm now so fed up I am prepared to even accept the inconvenience of changing that.
Can anyone recommend a reliable provider?
I run a graphics business from home so reliability is extremely important (something the BT line has always been very good at). After reliability, the most desirable feature for me would be an increase in the rather pathetic upload speed of the BT line. It's been pegged at 480 K seemingly forever. Any advance on this would be greatly appreciated.
The previous threads were very complimentary about Zen, but very contradictory about Bethere.
Is cable the answer?
Any thoughts or greatly appreciated. Practical recommendations are far more useful than anything I can get off the Internet.
That old chestnut: broadband
I've used Virgin's fibre optic broadband service for a couple of years now and find it very reliable. The quoted speed is 10Mbps; downloads are generally in the range of 700-1000KB/s, depending on the source. Upload speeds are no better than the ones you've quoted for BT, although I would expect to pay rather a lot more for a symmetric service.
I know that some customers complain about being throttled due to breaching Virgin's bandwidth limits, but I've never been affected. I use my connection for browsing, podcasts, Amazon mp3 downloads, video streaming and software downloads, some of which are really quite hefty (Aperture 3 weighed in at nearly 600MB and took 12 minutes to download).
The only issue I have is that their call centre staff were next to useless when I had a billing complaint; thankfully, I've only had to contact them once and you can now do most things, such as changing service plan, on their website.
I know that some customers complain about being throttled due to breaching Virgin's bandwidth limits, but I've never been affected. I use my connection for browsing, podcasts, Amazon mp3 downloads, video streaming and software downloads, some of which are really quite hefty (Aperture 3 weighed in at nearly 600MB and took 12 minutes to download).
The only issue I have is that their call centre staff were next to useless when I had a billing complaint; thankfully, I've only had to contact them once and you can now do most things, such as changing service plan, on their website.
I use BT Broadband and like the majority of BT Broadband users in Sydenham we have not been upgraded yet to ADSL2 although the exchange was upgraded last year. Any new customer will automatically be put on to the ADSL2 giving them an upload speed of approximately 896 kbps and up to 20mb download speed.
From what I can gather the change over for 'existing' BT Broadband users is imminent and should happen no later than May 10.
Regarding your existing download/upload speeds I have absolutely no problems either uploading or downloading at any time of the day and usually get the maximum (448 kbps upload and near 8 mb download) HOWEVER when it comes to P2P it is throttled at peak times (usually from about 3.30pm to 11.00 pm), I just do not bother between those times because it is a complete waste of time as I am lucky to get a twentieth of the advertised upload/download speeds.
As for the charges they can be negotiated. I am out of contract with them next week and I have just agreed a new contract for 12 months at £15.49 a month also I will be getting a new hub (no real use as I have one) and a new hub phone worth about £65. I am on option 3 unlimited broadband and also have BT Vision which is also FREE as long as you do not subscribe to their various packages.
Try giving them a ring (0800 800 030), ask for your MAC code, they will ask you why you are leaving BT, just tell them you like the Sky Package (or similar) and they will probably offer you the reduced rate, a new hub and phone and BT Vision all for £15.49 a month for a new 12 month contract.
From what I can gather the change over for 'existing' BT Broadband users is imminent and should happen no later than May 10.
Regarding your existing download/upload speeds I have absolutely no problems either uploading or downloading at any time of the day and usually get the maximum (448 kbps upload and near 8 mb download) HOWEVER when it comes to P2P it is throttled at peak times (usually from about 3.30pm to 11.00 pm), I just do not bother between those times because it is a complete waste of time as I am lucky to get a twentieth of the advertised upload/download speeds.
As for the charges they can be negotiated. I am out of contract with them next week and I have just agreed a new contract for 12 months at £15.49 a month also I will be getting a new hub (no real use as I have one) and a new hub phone worth about £65. I am on option 3 unlimited broadband and also have BT Vision which is also FREE as long as you do not subscribe to their various packages.
Try giving them a ring (0800 800 030), ask for your MAC code, they will ask you why you are leaving BT, just tell them you like the Sky Package (or similar) and they will probably offer you the reduced rate, a new hub and phone and BT Vision all for £15.49 a month for a new 12 month contract.
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digime2007
- Posts: 258
- Joined: 10 Sep 2007 18:26
- Location: Sydenhham
There's a more recent thread on broadband over in the Asylum:
http://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4319
I'd add to my comments there that I get 1M uploads. I'm on O2.
I'd also second The Eagle's comments that anyone outside of their minimum broadband contract period should phone up and pretend they want to leave.
It's amazing how much better a deal you can get when companies think you're about to leave. I once left Madasafish as I was paying about £20 a month for about 2M. They offered to double my speed and reduce my monthly payments to £5. I left anyway as I wanted ADSL2 (I'm in Sydenham but am routed via Forest Hill exchange).
Also, if you can be bothered make sure you're getting the best deal by shopping around. This is a very good site to look at first:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-broadband
http://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4319
I'd add to my comments there that I get 1M uploads. I'm on O2.
I'd also second The Eagle's comments that anyone outside of their minimum broadband contract period should phone up and pretend they want to leave.
It's amazing how much better a deal you can get when companies think you're about to leave. I once left Madasafish as I was paying about £20 a month for about 2M. They offered to double my speed and reduce my monthly payments to £5. I left anyway as I wanted ADSL2 (I'm in Sydenham but am routed via Forest Hill exchange).
Also, if you can be bothered make sure you're getting the best deal by shopping around. This is a very good site to look at first:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-broadband
Re: That old chestnut: broadband
As mentioned above the latest thread covering ISPs here: http://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4319
There is a specific ADSL2+ thread on the Sydenham TX here:
http://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4258
To avoid duplication could you put follow-up posts there please.
Admin
There is a specific ADSL2+ thread on the Sydenham TX here:
http://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4258
To avoid duplication could you put follow-up posts there please.
Admin