Choosing an Internet Service Provider

[Frances]

Hi,

I have been doing some research with a view to connecting to Broadband. The only thing that I am unsure of is the monthly download limit. On one site it states that 1GB per month would only give 2 hours of surfing per day, is this correct?  I would like advice from some reasonably active posters who are already on Broadband what their limit is and do they find that they reach their monthly download quota and what happens if they do? I have seen quoted that you would be "restricted" when this happens, whatever that really means. Do any ISP's let you carry on but charge you more?

Any help or advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks, Frances

[Emjaybee]

My advice is to go for unlimted download.

1GB of data - which is equivalent to 200 music tracks or 20,000 web average pages.

[Wak]

I, too, would suggest that you go for unlimited broadband. You only have to download a few updates from Microsoft  and you've used it up.
It depends where you live but I am on NTL 300 kbps unlimited broadband for £17.99 per month and am highly pleased with it.

[Lloydy]

I am on Broadband with Wanadoo £17.99 per month

Online activity  Broadband Option 1   
Surfing 8 hours a day 
Sending photos by email 30 per week 
Receiving photos by email 30 per week 
Downloading music tracks 20 per week 
Sending emails without attachments 400 per week 
Receiving emails without attachments 400 per week
Watching videos 30 minutes per week 
Online gaming 1.5 hours per week 7 hours per week 35 hours per week
 
TOTAL 2GB / month

As you can see there are restrictions listed but because I don't meet the maximum amounts for any of them then it's fine for me and my family.

I have been very impressed with Wanadoo (they took over Freeserve), setting up the broadband was very quick and easy.  Highly recommended!!!!!!!!


Jan

[trystan]

We set up our vicar on Broadband about three weeks ago. His little eyes lit up lile lights on a Christmas tree when he saw how fast it was,  God bless him!

He's been set up on 2Gb bandwidth, and he does an incredible amount of research on it, and is on target for getting close to that limit. He then has a choice to upgrade package if he wants.

When choosing a broadband provider, some important questions to answer are:

• Is it a local rate phone number for support?
• Do the people that give support know what they are doing?
• Is there a chance that you can speak to the same person twice at the call centre?
• Do they give you advert-free webspace?
• Does this webspace allow you to install "dynamic" website?
• Does the provider give you money off your monthly bill (every month) if you introduce a freind?

Start off on the lower package, you can always move up with no penalty, and you can check your used bandwidth day by day. If you look at a lot of text based sites, then 2Gb or even 1Gb is a fair bit of traffic.

Trystan

[Jane Taubman]

One thing to make sure when comparing ISP's is to make sure they have a range of packages so you can trade up easily when you need too.

I have beening using Freeola for years for web hosting, email and dial up connection,  I now have an unlimited package,  but they also do limited ones as well. http://freeola.com/broadband//

[trish251]

My only advice would be DON'T choose a plan that charges for downloads over your monthly limit - you could pay big time (I don't know if these exist in UK - they do in Oz). The ones that simply slow your speed if you exceed the limits, I think are the best option.

My husband & I use the internet alot (although we don't download music or the like) and we use 2-3gb per month. Our plan slows down after 12gb / month - doubt we will ever get there. We can't "trade down" for 12 months - most plans seem to let you "trade up" anytime.

Trish

[Ticker]

Hi Frances

Like Jan I'm on Wanadoo Broadband and on the basic package at £17.99.  Worth knowing though that they are not applying the limits at the moment - so if you go with them its certainly not worth paying more than the minimum at first.

Ticker

[Badger]

Hi there,

There are a lot of packages around at the moment - One of the best is with plusnet....
http://portal.plus.net/my/mydiscount_info/landing_page.html?zWVl6A8AruuylVaHtkq2oY%2FiPypwfFXwjmYMBtf%2BvaU%3D

I would recommend that you go with an all inclusive one though then you get no nasty surprises etc.