Line capability

[lavenderpam]

I'm moving to a new area and I've tested to see if ADSL is available it says "•Your line should be capable of supporting download speeds up to 2Mb." This seems very slow, will I be able to use Skype/Youtube et al?

[Spectato]

Yes you should be able to.
Obviously, Youtube vids will require some patience on your part!

Have you considered a cable package from Virgin Media?
(I'm not affiliated with them in any way, and am not exactly their biggest fan either, but "needs must" as they say!)

[lavenderpam]

Thanks for that but what is a cable package and is it expensive do you know?
If it would help, it would be worthwhile.

[Spectato]

Check the website:

http://allyours.virginmedia.com/webs...ervice.do?id=2

Cable is basically a separate service and line (from the normal BT line) that will need to be installed somewhere on/in your new property.
Couple of holes drilled through an exterior wall.
Some thin cable run on the outside of the property, and a couple of small wall fixtures (just above the skirting level) inside the room where you'll use the services.
That's if the new property hasn't already had a cable installation.
(You will also need the permission of the property owner if you're renting.)
.... and of course, the cable network doesn't have 100% coverage, so there's a small chance that it may not be available anyway.

The basic 10Mb broadband, by itself is £20 a month, or £24.50 with a phone line.
Minus whatever offers you get for the first couple of months.
Personally, I think Virgin/cable is 'expensive', although others consider them good value.
If you work out the price of BT's broadband with line rental etc. then the Virgin Cable alternative probably compares quite favourably, especially since the potential speed you're being offered is a (bad) joke!
I've stuck with them primarily because I have better things to do than spend 3 hours a day negotiating with British Telecom's customer services!

Check over any 'offers' carefully, and read all the small print.
There are a few Virgin staff (and others) who haunt these forums: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/56/
for help on installation, pricing, troubleshooting etc.

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by lavenderpam

I'm moving to a new area and I've tested to see if ADSL is available it says "•Your line should be capable of supporting download speeds up to 2Mb." This seems very slow, will I be able to use Skype/Youtube et al?

Hi,

Which checker did you use, and did you check by post code or telephone number?

Did it also give a different figure for MaxDSL?

[lavenderpam]

I checked by ASDL availability by post code as I haven't moved yet and therefore don't have a phone number. Cable isn't available in that area so the cable package is a non starter, just checked that option too. Hopefully broadband will get better eventually even in the sticks?? Main thing is that Skype will work as all my family overseas. Thanks for your help anyway.

Have you bought the house yet, or offered on it? If you can get the phone number of the house, that will give you a more reliable speed indication. You could even ask the current owner what speed they get.

Provided it really is 2Mb, any standard-definition iPlayer or Youtube content should stream no problem, and Skype will be fine too.

We regularly video-Skype with friends in Australia over a connection that never gets faster than 2.5Mb and there's never any bother.

[lavenderpam]

No we haven't even made an offer yet but that's a good idea, I hadn't thought of doing that. Thanks for the tip.

[Kymmy]

Skype relies more on pings/latency than bandwidth. I believe for video it only uses 70Kbps

Who ever has skype installed I believe that there's a bandwidth monitor

(in fact just found another forum post referencing it)

In skype:

Tools--> Options--> Advanced--> Connection-->

Then tick "Display technical call info during calls" and "Display Skype bandwidth usage"

Perhaps someone can do an experiment or two??

I've turned that option on, now all I need is for someone to start a video chat with me. Warning: I'm looking like death warmed up and my voice is little more than a croak. Maybe best try it with someone other than me, actually ...

[lavenderpam]

I will try that with my son in the States this weekend. Thank you so much for all the advice.

[AbyssUnderground]

Skype generally uses the bandwidth it has available, especially on webcam. However it will work with speeds as low as dial-up, so 56Kbps (5KB/s), which is a fraction of 2Mbps. Quality suffers, but it's still like using a telephone.

[lavenderpam]

You mean the picture quality will suffer? That's really important for me so I hope I can still see the people I'm talking to.

Yes, the less bandwidth the lower the overall quality of the connection, including the picture.