UK Online : Is it worth it?

[Xirix]

At the moment I'm using standard Freeserve (which is Wanadoo now I think) 512k broadband, and highly considered changing to the 16x faster Broadband, 8mbit.

Uk Online looks appealing to me because it's pretty cheap for such a good connection, and has no limitations on Downloading.. and is available in my area. However I've seen some negative reviews about it and was wondering if anyone has experience with this ISP and if it's worth getting.

If not, can someone suggest a cheap but reliable 8mbit provider in the UK?

I had a nightmare with it dropping how far away from the exchange are you???

[Xirix]

I.. have no idea, I live in Taunton if that helps. Anyone else.. reviews, suggestions? I want 8mbit by Half way through March idealy.

go with telewest

[Xirix]

It's out of my area :/ surely there's a good 8mbit out there? How can I check how close to the UkOnline exchange I am?

there all gonna be the same if your to far away or your line is pour.
Anyway I wish you luck

[Xirix]

Well for a Cable forum I would think more people would have replied by now to help me :/ I really need advice here, and where is the UK Online exchangE?

Also if it's relevant to reliability, I'll be using a Wireless Router, however I'll be connecting by Ethernet Wire.

[Stuart]

Xirix, to the forum.

The best way to find out what services your local BT exchange offers is at http://www.samknows.com

As for finding the best ISP, I recommend you look at http://www.adslguide.com

---------- Post added at 00:46 ---------- Previous post was at 00:45 ----------

Mote: Whichever ISP you use, your modem is always physically connected to your local BT exchange.

[handyman]

Originally Posted by Xirix

Well for a Cable forum I would think more people would have replied by now to help me :/ I really need advice here, and where is the UK Online exchangE?
.

As you pointed out this forum is for cable customers ie telewests and ntl. There are many many members that have adsl. Just as there are many members that live outside the UK.

However the vast majority are serviced by telewest/ntl so can ot ofer views on adsl suppliers.

As pointed out almost all adsl connections are run through bt anyway so it does not matter much which providor you are with.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Xirix

I.. have no idea, I live in Taunton if that helps. Anyone else.. reviews, suggestions? I want 8mbit by Half way through March idealy.

Come March, BT will be lifting the current 2Mb limit that it restricts resedential ISPs to so you should be able to get "Up To" 8Mb ADSL from pretty much anyone.

According to www.samknows.com your exchange (presuming you are actually connected to the Taunton exchange that is) is currently DSL enabled by Bulldog as well as UKOnline, & the 2Mb restriction is scheduled to be lifted on 31/03/06 which I think applies to all exchanges anyway.

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/ex...p?ecode=WWTAUN

So you have 2 choices:

1) Go with UK Online.

2) Go with Bulldog.

3) Wait for BT to lift that 2Mb limit & choose from any residential ISP-Pipex/Demon etc etc etc.

The thing is though-why have you got 512k ADSL currently?

Is that all you can get due to your distance from the exchange, as if it is you will have little change getting close to 8Mb from any supplier.

HTH.

[ian@huth]

Have a look at http://www.btofaq.net/articles/intro/failed.html and do the line length check that it mentions. This will give some idea of what you may expect.

[Xirix]

Hey Neil, I only have 512k at the moment because I'm on a very old broadband service, from way back before 1mbit was even available.

So.. I'm assuming UKOnline is "Easynet" ? I only saw that and Bulldog on the Exchange website. So being in the actual town of an Exchange, if I get UkOnline will it not be nightmarish? ^^

And if so, am I right in assuming if I get the 8mbit UKonline, it will only give me up to 2mbit, but after March I'll get my full speed?

Unfortunatly Bulldog isn't really an option.. even though it's much cheaper ( £19.50 unlimited >.< ), it requires a Bulldog phoneline.. which I assume means I'll have to change from BT, to them.. which my parents definitely won't be happy with.