Markus

OK, BT Anytime is starting to get to suzy, she keeps getting cut off, plus after the report on watchdog the othernight it looks like BT is try to get rid anytime because it's too popular. so broadband seems like an idea.

so, is this DSL? ADSL? ISDN? what is it?

which provider is any good? BT, eurobel, NTL???

I've done some location checks and eurobel and BT will do broadand in my area but NTL wont (huh? why not? the cabling must be there if the others can do it, right?)

So, what is it, is it worth it (for the 75 install and 40 quid a month charges)

isn;t there some kind of group type connection thing which means connection speeds can drop to rates where 56k modem (current config) would be better.

comments?

boxst

Hello Marcus

You should go to

Markus

steve,
yup we're near each other. have checked on BT's site and it says were in a location that can have broadband, same for eurobel's site, but NTL reckon we're not in a broadband area, go figure!

will check out the site, thanks.

good luck with the campaign!!

boxst

Okay, lucky you!

BT = Telephone Broadband (and you should check Zen Internet and Nildram to be your ISP).

Eurobell (Telewest) = Cable Modem

The cable modems are cheaper if you have the other services that go with it (i.e. cable TV).

Steve.

carl

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Markus:
<B>BT's site and it says were in a location that can have broadband, same for eurobel's site, but NTL reckon we're not in a broadband area, go figure!
[/quote]

That's because NTL haven't cabled up your area for <B>their</B> service. We can debate the merits of the incumbent operator owning the network, but ADSL runs over the existing (BT) phone line whereas NTL's cable network runs over coax to the box in the street and then fibre (I presume) to a local NTL access point (not necessarily an exchange). NTL do not do ADSL -- the only company AFAIK to have a go at local loop unbundling (where they take operation of the BT line and put their own kit in your local BT exchange) is Redstone.

Provision of service is not just a matter of 'the cables being there' -- they need to connect to something and NTL obviously don't have any broadband infrastructure in your area (e.g. UBRs, backhaul links to their backbone, etc.)



[This message has been edited by carl (edited 26 September 2001).]

BarryK

Markus you might find this interesting, and the folks on their who know their stuff might be worth e-mailing.

Branners

having waited an age for NTL to give ex CWC customers cable modems I finally got fed up with BT Internet and have ordered ADSL. They are due to come here on Friday 5th Oct and they have done their 'prelim tests' and found my phone line to be compatible..so its looking good so far.

I was under the impression that ADSL totally replaces your BT phone so you no longer pay for the normal BT line, you just pay for the ADSL which gives you a phone line anyway. But NO, it would appear you must have BOTH otherwise ADSL wont work. So expect to still be paying for your second phone line if you have one.

JB

Huxley

We had ADSL fitted at the beginning of the month , Got a network link on both machines so we both can enjoy the net at the same time and looking at the speeds we used to use 56.6! of a normal modem it goes like the dogs dangles on fire

Fitting was Free due to singing up last year
and £39.99 a month I think it's due to come down in price soon going by the rumors we here from the inside at BT

Huxley "Running at 576000 bps +/-"

[This message has been edited by Huxley (edited 27 September 2001).]

philc

we get broadband over cable, which also carries tv signals; or it can come in via satellite dish - goes nowhere near copper wire.

Copper wire transmission has been tweaked to deliver ADSL, which comes close to cable transmission speed.

The cable solution means u have a permanent IP adress because u are always connected; charging is on a monthly rental basis plus data transmission usage.

The transmission set-up is usually 'slow' up and 'fast' down - so u send off a URL of 20 characters at slow speed and this return gazillions of bytes at high speed

options here are download speed of 128kb, 512kb or 2mb - with rental increasing accordingly (2mb is fast enough to watch a movie as it downloads - no buffering required)

One caution - if u're 'always on' with a static ip address u're more prone to attack.

Most broadband users instal something like 'zonealarm' (freeware for personal use), to shield their computer from outside intrusion.

regards

Silent Monkey

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Branners:
<B>
I was under the impression that ADSL totally replaces your BT phone so you no longer pay for the normal BT line, you just pay for the ADSL which gives you a phone line anyway. But NO, it would appear you must have BOTH otherwise ADSL wont work. So expect to still be paying for your second phone line if you have one.

JB[/quote]

ADSL is effectively a service which runs on your existing phone line. You do not have or need 2 phone lines, 1 is sufficient. Yes, you still pay the line rental and for calls on your existing line the same as you do now but can use the same line for net access at the same time.

Don't throw your 56k modem away, it can be useful in an emergency if ADSL is down for any reason, plus you will need it if you use the fax capability of it currently.