which isp should I choose please?

I have been looking for 2 months now and finally have to make a decision.
Broadband has just come to our area so I need to change from dialup to
broadband. I am currently with freeserve/wanadoo. I contacted them and
said I was changing to broadband hoping they might offer a deal to keep my
custom but they didn't so I need a new isp.

My requirements are:
512k (being 3 miles from the exchange they say that is the fastest we will
get)
unlimited download(no limits)
newsgroup access especialy uk.rec.competitions
pop3 email if possible.
At the moment I access newsgroups and send emails via my freeserve account
and outlook express so would still like to use those through my new isp.
I know about the german server. Can I set it up if I have an isp that
doesn't offer newsgroups?
under £30 a month.
I don't need an isp that includes the modem as I need to get a one that
allows networking.
No yearly contract sounds good too.
I don't play games but would like to download music.
(I have just read that back, I don't want much do I )

I have been looking at demon,freedom2suf,plusnet,metro,zen
and virginnet and possibly pipex or nildram.
I decided on DEMON HOME500 then saw that there were no newsgroups. That is
the one thing that is putting me off. The £24.99 demon might be an option if
I cannot get newsgroups via another server.

Just looking for some advice please.
I didn't realise choosing a broadband isp would be so hard.
I forgot to say I have ruled out aol, tiscali and ntl. I am not in a cable
area either.
Also we have just got another computer so I need to network 2 computers too.
Thats why a "free" modem is not so important anymore. Do any isps provide
you with a ADSL modem-router?
Tia
Lucy

> Also we have just got another computer so I need to network 2 computers too.
> Thats why a "free" modem is not so important anymore. Do any isps provide
> you with a ADSL modem-router?

www.adslguide.org.uk

I think Plusnet have a router option available with one of their
packages, but i`m not sure on the cost.

I`ve been very pleased with my Pipex account (had it almost 2 years now)
- no limits, no restrictions, £23.44 per month

--
Please add "[newsgroup]" in the subject of any personal replies via email
--- My new email address has "ngspamtrap" & @btinternet.com in it ;-) ---

"lu" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:csbkb0$hlk$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have been looking for 2 months now and finally have to make a decision.
> Broadband has just come to our area so I need to change from dialup to
> broadband. I am currently with freeserve/wanadoo. I contacted them and
> said I was changing to broadband hoping they might offer a deal to keep my
> custom but they didn't so I need a new isp.

Not suprised.
>
> My requirements are:
> 512k (being 3 miles from the exchange they say that is the fastest we will
> get)
> unlimited download(no limits)
> newsgroup access especialy uk.rec.competitions
> pop3 email if possible.
> At the moment I access newsgroups and send emails via my freeserve account
> and outlook express so would still like to use those through my new isp.
> I know about the german server. Can I set it up if I have an isp that
> doesn't offer newsgroups?
> under £30 a month.
> I don't need an isp that includes the modem as I need to get a one that
> allows networking.
> No yearly contract sounds good too.
> I don't play games but would like to download music.
> (I have just read that back, I don't want much do I )
>

Plusnet offer all this, I think its about £10-£20 for not having a years
contract.

> I have been looking at demon,freedom2suf,plusnet,metro,zen
> and virginnet and possibly pipex or nildram.
> I decided on DEMON HOME500 then saw that there were no newsgroups. That
> is
> the one thing that is putting me off. The £24.99 demon might be an option
> if
> I cannot get newsgroups via another server.
>

Plusnet £14.99 a month for 1GB, or £21.99 for premier (no limits).
Personally I would first of all go for one of the limited options - you can
always upgrade - unless you know you are going to need the extra anyway (I
have a home network and use alot of terminal server services, downloading
and run a webserver so use the premier option).

> Just looking for some advice please.
> I didn't realise choosing a broadband isp would be so hard.
> I forgot to say I have ruled out aol, tiscali and ntl. I am not in a
> cable
> area either.

Your half way there then I wouldn't touch those three either.

> Also we have just got another computer so I need to network 2 computers
> too.
> Thats why a "free" modem is not so important anymore. Do any isps provide
> you with a ADSL modem-router?

Its never free, its included, better to not be fooled and buy what you
actually need.
> Tia
> Lucy
HTH

Sam
>
>
>
>


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Thank you. I have been looking at plusnet but the £70 activation fee is
putting me off. Yes they do the modem-router, but I could choose a one with
an included modem then buy the proper one but not need to pay the activation
fee couldn't I? Or do you have to use the modem they provide?
Do plusnet include newsgroups?
I know need to go and look at zen and freedom2surf. At the moment demon and
plusnet are favourites!

Just to point out I have nothing against ntl it is just I am in a non cable
area. My brother was on ntl and has had no problems at all(we messed them
about cancelling before thre year then they let us restart the contract with
no extra cost as my mum had been with ntl phone+ tv for years). I read they
are not as reliable on the bt line. I am just giving credit where credit is
due, as I keep reading how bad they are.
Lucy





"lu" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:csbkb0$hlk$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have been looking for 2 months now and finally have to make a decision.
> Broadband has just come to our area so I need to change from dialup to
> broadband. I am currently with freeserve/wanadoo. I contacted them and
> said I was changing to broadband hoping they might offer a deal to keep my
> custom but they didn't so I need a new isp.
>
> My requirements are:
> 512k (being 3 miles from the exchange they say that is the fastest we will
> get)
> unlimited download(no limits)
> newsgroup access especialy uk.rec.competitions
> pop3 email if possible.
> At the moment I access newsgroups and send emails via my freeserve account
> and outlook express so would still like to use those through my new isp.
> I know about the german server. Can I set it up if I have an isp that
> doesn't offer newsgroups?
> under £30 a month.
> I don't need an isp that includes the modem as I need to get a one that
> allows networking.
> No yearly contract sounds good too.
> I don't play games but would like to download music.
> (I have just read that back, I don't want much do I )
>
> I have been looking at demon,freedom2suf,plusnet,metro,zen
> and virginnet and possibly pipex or nildram.
> I decided on DEMON HOME500 then saw that there were no newsgroups. That
is
> the one thing that is putting me off. The £24.99 demon might be an option
if
> I cannot get newsgroups via another server.
>
> Just looking for some advice please.
> I didn't realise choosing a broadband isp would be so hard.
> I forgot to say I have ruled out aol, tiscali and ntl. I am not in a
cable
> area either.
> Also we have just got another computer so I need to network 2 computers
too.
> Thats why a "free" modem is not so important anymore. Do any isps provide
> you with a ADSL modem-router?
> Tia
> Lucy
>
>
>
>

"Its never free, its included, better to not be fooled and buy what you
actually need."

Yes I realise that now after hours reading up on the various isp'! I know
they get the money back over the year.

Can anyone recommend a usb-router? It is just for 2 computers. Do you get
everything with it you need to network and get broadband? Also is it hard
network computers. As you can tell I am not very good with technical
matters.would I be better to get someone in to network them?
Sorry for all the questions. My main priority is to find an isp but as I
need to consider which modem I need they have become linked.
Thanks very much again.
Lucy

In article <csbot3$1ho$(E-Mail Removed)>,
"lu" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Thank you. I have been looking at plusnet but the £70 activation fee is
> putting me off. Yes they do the modem-router, but I could choose a one with
> an included modem then buy the proper one but not need to pay the activation
> fee couldn't I? Or do you have to use the modem they provide?
> Do plusnet include newsgroups?
> I know need to go and look at zen and freedom2surf. At the moment demon and
> plusnet are favourites!

I'm with Zen and they are very very good, but they aren't the cheapest
which puts a lot of people off.

I'd take a look at Zen, Metronet and Pipex, maybe Eclipse too as they
each have decent reputations.

With Pipex the setup and modem are free but if you leave within the
first year you pay the connection fee back, with the others you pay
connection up front.

I tend to subscribe to the "you don't get something for nothing" school
of thought, and any ISP offering free connection usually does so by
charging more over the course of the year, capping, or tying you in to a
years contract so they're guaranteed to make some money out of you -
basically check the small print before you sign with anybody.

If you've not done so, head over to http://bbs.adslguide.org and look on
the ISP specific forums, you'll find loads of feedback there.

cheers,
Paul
--
paul <at> spamcop <dot> net

http://www.ndodsl.com/

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NEWT Anti-Spam Protection
WebMail remote email access
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Support available 24/7

"lu" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:csbot4$1ho$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Its never free, its included, better to not be fooled and buy what you
> actually need."
>
> Yes I realise that now after hours reading up on the various isp'! I know
> they get the money back over the year.
>
> Can anyone recommend a usb-router? It is just for 2 computers. Do you
> get
> everything with it you need to network and get broadband? Also is it hard
> network computers. As you can tell I am not very good with technical
> matters.would I be better to get someone in to network them?
> Sorry for all the questions. My main priority is to find an isp but as I
> need to consider which modem I need they have become linked.
> Thanks very much again.

It shouldn't matter, any ADSL modem \ router will work with ADSL on a BT
Line.

Personally I wouldn't touch USB - go for ethernet, much better all round,
less likley to cause problems with other USB devices, much more likley to
'just work'. I would recomend the vigor routers as they are very feature
rich and easy to configue, however they aren't the cheapest.

www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk etc are probably worth looking at as they have a
good selection, but obviously shop around for the best price.

Sam

> Lucy
>
>


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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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> Also we have just got another computer so I need to network 2 computers
> too. Thats why a "free" modem is not so important anymore. Do any isps
> provide you with a ADSL modem-router?
> Tia
> Lucy

www.adslguide.org

Dave

--
For what we are about to balls up may common sense prevent us doing it
again
in the future!!

I have almost definitely decided on demon unless I read something very bad
about them soon!
The newsgroup access was what was holding me up but as I think I can get
them elsewhere I should be ok.
Thanks very much for all your advice
Lucy




"lu" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:csbkb0$hlk$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have been looking for 2 months now and finally have to make a decision.
> Broadband has just come to our area so I need to change from dialup to
> broadband. I am currently with freeserve/wanadoo. I contacted them and
> said I was changing to broadband hoping they might offer a deal to keep my
> custom but they didn't so I need a new isp.
>
> My requirements are:
> 512k (being 3 miles from the exchange they say that is the fastest we will
> get)
> unlimited download(no limits)
> newsgroup access especialy uk.rec.competitions
> pop3 email if possible.
> At the moment I access newsgroups and send emails via my freeserve account
> and outlook express so would still like to use those through my new isp.
> I know about the german server. Can I set it up if I have an isp that
> doesn't offer newsgroups?
> under £30 a month.
> I don't need an isp that includes the modem as I need to get a one that
> allows networking.
> No yearly contract sounds good too.
> I don't play games but would like to download music.
> (I have just read that back, I don't want much do I )
>
> I have been looking at demon,freedom2suf,plusnet,metro,zen
> and virginnet and possibly pipex or nildram.
> I decided on DEMON HOME500 then saw that there were no newsgroups. That
is
> the one thing that is putting me off. The £24.99 demon might be an option
if
> I cannot get newsgroups via another server.
>
> Just looking for some advice please.
> I didn't realise choosing a broadband isp would be so hard.
> I forgot to say I have ruled out aol, tiscali and ntl. I am not in a
cable
> area either.
> Also we have just got another computer so I need to network 2 computers
too.
> Thats why a "free" modem is not so important anymore. Do any isps provide
> you with a ADSL modem-router?
> Tia
> Lucy
>
>
>
>