newbie here -uk best b/band isp? also a bit techy q..

"lastchance" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:407f1d36$(E-Mail Removed)...
> now the techy bit- what is true broadband? i see ads claiming to be
> superfast, but only 150 kps, or so? sure its faster than what i havem
> but doesnt anyone else recall the original ads saying it would be
> 'up to' 20x faster than dialup... is cable any better?

If you google this group, you will find lots of discussion on this.

However, (briefly) technically, "Broadband" has nothing to do with the speed
of the service but the technology used - though that is not how many ISP's
etc are marketing it.

ADSL/Cable services are available at various download speeds, including
150K, 256K, 512K, 1MB, 2MB (and higher in some places)

Traditionally, ISP's have marketed "Broadband" as 512K+ - I would personally
avoid the <512K services unless being "always online" is more important to
you than anything else.

There is not that much difference between the 150K services and the cheapest
512K services.

I would also avoid a Tiscali service, based on what I have heard from them -
but thats personal preference.

> and what minimum spec is needed / recoomended, to cope with
> all the poorn, er, research i will be doing??

Virtually, anything will work with an ADSL line using an ethernet router.

If you use a USB modem or a PCI card, then you may encounter OS or minimum
spec restrictions

Have a look at http://www.adslguide.org.uk/

Regards
Sunil

X-No-Archive: Yes

as tiscali now offering b/b (speeds??) at same price as dialup,
i am tempted - either to upgrade, or ask for rebate for such crappy
download speeds! (31kps on a 56k modem? freeserve was doing
33-36k, but i fell out with them...)

now the techy bit- what is true broadband? i see ads claiming to be
superfast, but only 150 kps, or so? sure its faster than what i havem
but doesnt anyone else recall the original ads saying it would be
'up to' 20x faster than dialup... is cable any better?

and what minimum spec is needed / recoomended, to cope with
all the poorn, er, research i will be doing??

thanks for any leads!

X-No-Archive: Yes

PlusNet has gained reputation for reliability, good customer service and
just about the cheapest prices.
My connection hasn't missed single bit since May installation.
You can get 512k for £18.99, or £21.99 if you want P2P and binaries.
If you chose the later please use my id 'jerryw' as referrer and save me few
pence.
Regards,
Martin

On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:54:56 +0100, lastchance wrote:

> X-No-Archive: Yes
>
> as tiscali now offering b/b (speeds??) at same price as dialup, i am
> tempted - either to upgrade, or ask for rebate for such crappy download
> speeds! (31kps on a 56k modem? freeserve was doing 33-36k, but i fell out
> with them...)

Do some research before jumping in with Tiscali. See what said on here and
on www.adslguide.org. You might live to regret it if you don't.
Dave
--
And you were born knowing all about ms windows....??

Martin² said...

> PlusNet has gained reputation for reliability, good customer service and
> just about the cheapest prices.

Absolutely. I can't fault the service and I've been taken aback by the
customer service peeps. They're quick and very competent.

> My connection hasn't missed single bit since May installation.
> You can get 512k for £18.99, or £21.99 if you want P2P and binaries.

They also offer cheaper, lower-bandwidth subscriptions. I think the
cheapest is £15.99.

> If you chose the later please use my id 'jerryw' as referrer and save me few
> pence.

Username withheld to increase credibility.


-- thom.