Which ISP is best for Broadband?

I'm with Blueyonder (Telewest) and on a 24/7 DialUp, but want to move over
to broadband. The problem for me is that I don't know too much about what's
on offer, nor for that matter what it is that they ARE actually offering
after I've read some of their adverts on their respective websites! I don't
need a really fast connection, but it must be always on, and reliable. I am
also out of work at the minute, so want to keep the price as low as pos too.
Anyone got any suggestions for me? I have a Telewest (Non-BT) telephone line
which my wife is reluctant to give up as all her friends and family are with
Telewest so here calls are cheaper. This is a major 'headache' for me. If
anyone has any suggestions, please let me know, will you?
Thanks!
C.C.

P.S.
The main reason I don't want to use Blueyonder's broadband package is that
they send one of their so-called engineers out to install the modem! After
my dealings with them in the past, there is no way I would let one of those
morons inside or near my PC! I would prefer to hook up with an ISP who will
either give me a modem to install myself, or let me buy my own!

;o)

"Champagne Charlie" <FreeSoft@(SkipTheBrackets)Tiscali.co.uk> wrote in
message news:HBefc.2775$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm with Blueyonder (Telewest) and on a 24/7 DialUp, but want to move over
> to broadband. The problem for me is that I don't know too much about
what's
> on offer, nor for that matter what it is that they ARE actually offering
> after I've read some of their adverts on their respective websites! I
don't
> need a really fast connection, but it must be always on, and reliable. I
am
> also out of work at the minute, so want to keep the price as low as pos
too.
> Anyone got any suggestions for me? I have a Telewest (Non-BT) telephone
line
> which my wife is reluctant to give up as all her friends and family are
with
> Telewest so here calls are cheaper. This is a major 'headache' for me. If
> anyone has any suggestions, please let me know, will you?
> Thanks!
> C.C.
>
> P.S.
> The main reason I don't want to use Blueyonder's broadband package is that
> they send one of their so-called engineers out to install the modem! After
> my dealings with them in the past, there is no way I would let one of
those
> morons inside or near my PC! I would prefer to hook up with an ISP who
will
> either give me a modem to install myself, or let me buy my own!
>
> ;o)

here is one to consider this is the lowest price I have seen.
http://www.metronet.co.uk/

I have cancelled my Blueyonder Broadband and plan to go with either Metronet
or Pipex I think.

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 18:36:40 +0100, "Champagne Charlie"
<FreeSoft@(SkipTheBrackets)Tiscali.co.uk> wrote:

>I'm with Blueyonder (Telewest) and on a 24/7 DialUp, but want to move over
>to broadband. The problem for me is that I don't know too much about what's
>on offer, nor for that matter what it is that they ARE actually offering
>after I've read some of their adverts on their respective websites! I don't
>need a really fast connection, but it must be always on, and reliable. I am
>also out of work at the minute, so want to keep the price as low as pos too.
>Anyone got any suggestions for me? I have a Telewest (Non-BT) telephone line
>which my wife is reluctant to give up as all her friends and family are with
>Telewest so here calls are cheaper. This is a major 'headache' for me. If
>anyone has any suggestions, please let me know, will you?
>Thanks!
>C.C.
>
>P.S.
>The main reason I don't want to use Blueyonder's broadband package is that
>they send one of their so-called engineers out to install the modem! After
>my dealings with them in the past, there is no way I would let one of those
>morons inside or near my PC! I would prefer to hook up with an ISP who will
>either give me a modem to install myself, or let me buy my own!

If you dont want to give up your telewest line, then to get ADSL you
would need to install a BT line to get it. More expense!

Why not drop Telewest - use BT and a call through service for your
calls - which will be very much cheaper than BT or Telewest. Without a
BT line you are stuck with them for a faster connection than you have
now.

In article <HBefc.2775$(E-Mail Removed)>,
Champagne Charlie <FreeSoft@(SkipTheBrackets)Tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
>P.S.
>The main reason I don't want to use Blueyonder's broadband package is that
>they send one of their so-called engineers out to install the modem! After
>my dealings with them in the past, there is no way I would let one of those
>morons inside or near my PC! I would prefer to hook up with an ISP who will
>either give me a modem to install myself, or let me buy my own!

The modem doesn't fit inside your PC.

It's a separate box which is connected to the co-ax cable (assuming BY
in your area supports it in the first place) You then get an Ethernet
connection, so all you then need is an Ethernet card in your PC (or a
router) and off you go. BY will need to know the MAC address of your
PC or router, but thats all - they don't need to install any software
if you don't want them to, although they will only actively support a
small number of systems.

I got installed directly onto Linux box when I was using their service
and was generally quite happy with it. I was quite surprised at the pair
who came to do the install, one did the mechanical bits of terminating
the co-ax and splitting it (I already had cable TV) and did a good job
of re-routing the existing cable to where I wanted it, the other was
the PC expert. They wern't morons by any stretch of the imagination.

I don't use it now because I moved outside their coverage area.

Gordon

Champagne Charlie wrote:

> I'm with Blueyonder (Telewest) and on a 24/7 DialUp, but want to move over
> to broadband. The problem for me is that I don't know too much about what's
> on offer, nor for that matter what it is that they ARE actually offering
> after I've read some of their adverts on their respective websites! I don't
> need a really fast connection, but it must be always on, and reliable. I am
> also out of work at the minute, so want to keep the price as low as pos too.
> Anyone got any suggestions for me? I have a Telewest (Non-BT) telephone line
> which my wife is reluctant to give up as all her friends and family are with
> Telewest so here calls are cheaper. This is a major 'headache' for me. If
> anyone has any suggestions, please let me know, will you?
> Thanks!
> C.C.
>
> P.S.
> The main reason I don't want to use Blueyonder's broadband package is that
> they send one of their so-called engineers out to install the modem! After
> my dealings with them in the past, there is no way I would let one of those
> morons inside or near my PC! I would prefer to hook up with an ISP who will
> either give me a modem to install myself, or let me buy my own!
>
> ;o)

It really depends on your useage, if it's REALLY low, then consider
Metronet which is a "pay as you go" service, if it's Mid, then you might
Consider Plusnet's 150k service (AKA "3x"), or for a few ££ more the
full ("10X") service for £21.99.

I have no personal experience of Metronet, but customers rate them well
on ADSLGuide. I Do have experience of PlusNet, and they are excellent.
If you do decide on PlusNet, I would appreciate the referal: mgillespie.

Cheers.

> P.S.
> The main reason I don't want to use Blueyonder's broadband package is that
> they send one of their so-called engineers out to install the modem! After
> my dealings with them in the past, there is no way I would let one of
> those morons inside or near my PC! I would prefer to hook up with an ISP
> who will either give me a modem to install myself, or let me buy my own!
>
> ;o)

www.adslguide.org

Dave

--
And you were born knowing all about ms windows....??

"Champagne Charlie" <FreeSoft@(SkipTheBrackets)Tiscali.co.uk> wrote in
message news:HBefc.2775$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Anyone got any suggestions for me? I have a Telewest (Non-BT) telephone
line
> which my wife is reluctant to give up as all her friends and family are
with
> Telewest so here calls are cheaper. This is a major 'headache' for me. If
> anyone has any suggestions, please let me know, will you?

If you have a Telewest line, Blueyonder is your only option for Broadband.

For anything else (i.e. ADSL) , you will need a BT line...

Regards
Sunil

"Dave Stanton" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> > P.S.
> > The main reason I don't want to use Blueyonder's broadband package is
that
> > they send one of their so-called engineers out to install the modem!
After
> > my dealings with them in the past, there is no way I would let one of
> > those morons inside or near my PC! I would prefer to hook up with an ISP
> > who will either give me a modem to install myself, or let me buy my own!
> >
> > ;o)
>
> www.adslguide.org
>
> Dave
>
> --
> And you were born knowing all about ms windows....??
>

Did I say I used Windows?..........
Actually, you don't need ms windows to install a modem, my question was
purely internet-related.
I ran a 14.4Kbps modem on my old Amiga, using Amiga-Dos only.
As for the morons from BY, they do a week's course in installation of modems
and that's that.
I have more experience of modems than they have, but I don't honour myself
with the title of 'engineer'.
For engineer status you require a minimum of HNC/HND and preferably a
degree.
BTW, my last Sony 28" widescreen was completely annhialated by those BY
'engineers and it was only a month old!
They were only installing Digital TV and managed to blow up my telly in the
process.
You think I want to be bitten by the same dog twice?
Not a chance.
C.C.

P.S. I'll leave ms windows to 'geniuses' like yourself.

> Did I say I used Windows?..........
>
> P.S. I'll leave ms windows to 'geniuses' like yourself.

If you looked at the delimiter, you would see that the line you seem to be
upset about is not aimed at you personaly, its a signature line. Its aimed
at all those that bleat on about windows being so user friendly. The
advice I gave you is OS independant, wwww,adslguide.org. Stop getting so
uptight and get a life.

Dave

--
And you were born knowing all about ms windows....??

"Dave Stanton" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> > Did I say I used Windows?..........
> >
> > P.S. I'll leave ms windows to 'geniuses' like yourself.
>
> If you looked at the delimiter, you would see that the line you seem to be
> upset about is not aimed at you personaly, its a signature line. Its aimed
> at all those that bleat on about windows being so user friendly. The
> advice I gave you is OS independant, wwww,adslguide.org. Stop getting so
> uptight and get a life.
>
> Dave
>
> --
> And you were born knowing all about ms windows....??
>

Exactly my point! It's these 'signatures' which are so childish. What's the
point in using them if you don't expect folks to reply to them? I
know....'half the world and their bro is doing it, it's fashionable, but
it's pretty much for the kids imho. I did check out the link you posted, so
thanks for that. Yeah, I'll get a life, but first I need to get a job!
Xcuse the 'uptight' bit.
Cheers.
C.C.