r1 - 20 Apr 2006 - 10:57:13 - KonaAndrewsYou are here: TWiki > 
Deploy Web > BroadbandRecommendations
Deploy Web > BroadbandRecommendations I wrote:
I used to use Tesco before I moved (cheap + cheerful) which was fine, now use AOL (gold level I believe as I wanted to use multiple pc's and wireless networking). Tried Tiscali and had no end of problems so they don't get my vote!
I've just switched to PlusNet? who claim very high speeds (8M) at a pretty reasonable price (£15/pcm) and have good reviews. However, there's a gotcha - they waive the connection fee, but then charge it to you when you leave (though it decreases for every year you stay). Before PlusNet? I was on Tiscali. No real technical problems but poor customer service, so I wouldn't use them again.
If you are swapping, I'd recommend registering your own domain name and use that for email addresses etc. I use EasyDNS? [http://www.easydns.com/] to handle the DNS records. They provide a basic email forwarding service, or if you have a fixed IP address you can run your own mail server. It means that you can swap ADSL provider whenever you want, without having to change email addresses etc. [Ed: I use joker.com for domain registrations (and 123-reg for UK domains).] I currently use HomeOffice? package from Demon Internet [http://www.demon.net/] Wires only installation (they get BT to connect a socket, and you provide the ADSL router yourself). Probably not the cheapest, but a good service for a technical user. Advantages: Fixed cost : 21.27/mth No time limits, no download restrictions. Unlimited email addresses (useful for creating on-off addresses for net registrations). ** Fixed public IP address (means I can run public web server, web services and ssh). ** Excellent 24x7 technical help phone service (they understand Unix/Linux, and are happy to explain things). ** Very few if any service interruptions - been running 24x7 for 5+years, no interruptions. Disadvantages: No current plans to implement IPV6. Only support POP collection for emails, makes it a bit more tricky to run your own mail server.
we use Telewest (cable) at home. They are quite reliable - no sustained loss of service for nearly three years now - but the availability of speeds > 1Mb/s is patchy. BT have recently adopted some new bullshit pricing scheme where they limit your number of hours on-line per day, averaged over a month. 24/7 connectivity is very expensive. This is clearly useless for real work. However, if you allow yourself only a couple of hours per day on-line, the price is competetive.
I'm looking for a phone-based broadband provider, and just happen to know a group of heavy domestic broadband users...(For what it's worth, I've been using NTL's cable services for 5 years and have been pretty happy with them, apart from occasional DNS outages). Reponses received are listed below.Would be glad of any recommendations/disrecommendations you have for domestic broadband suppliers.
I used to use Tesco before I moved (cheap + cheerful) which was fine, now use AOL (gold level I believe as I wanted to use multiple pc's and wireless networking). Tried Tiscali and had no end of problems so they don't get my vote!
I've just switched to PlusNet? who claim very high speeds (8M) at a pretty reasonable price (£15/pcm) and have good reviews. However, there's a gotcha - they waive the connection fee, but then charge it to you when you leave (though it decreases for every year you stay). Before PlusNet? I was on Tiscali. No real technical problems but poor customer service, so I wouldn't use them again.
If you are swapping, I'd recommend registering your own domain name and use that for email addresses etc. I use EasyDNS? [http://www.easydns.com/] to handle the DNS records. They provide a basic email forwarding service, or if you have a fixed IP address you can run your own mail server. It means that you can swap ADSL provider whenever you want, without having to change email addresses etc. [Ed: I use joker.com for domain registrations (and 123-reg for UK domains).] I currently use HomeOffice? package from Demon Internet [http://www.demon.net/] Wires only installation (they get BT to connect a socket, and you provide the ADSL router yourself). Probably not the cheapest, but a good service for a technical user. Advantages: Fixed cost : 21.27/mth No time limits, no download restrictions. Unlimited email addresses (useful for creating on-off addresses for net registrations). ** Fixed public IP address (means I can run public web server, web services and ssh). ** Excellent 24x7 technical help phone service (they understand Unix/Linux, and are happy to explain things). ** Very few if any service interruptions - been running 24x7 for 5+years, no interruptions. Disadvantages: No current plans to implement IPV6. Only support POP collection for emails, makes it a bit more tricky to run your own mail server.
we use Telewest (cable) at home. They are quite reliable - no sustained loss of service for nearly three years now - but the availability of speeds > 1Mb/s is patchy. BT have recently adopted some new bullshit pricing scheme where they limit your number of hours on-line per day, averaged over a month. 24/7 connectivity is very expensive. This is clearly useless for real work. However, if you allow yourself only a couple of hours per day on-line, the price is competetive.
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