Can anyone recommend a decent Broadband provider?

I placed an order with Tiscali, stuff arrived, crap modem which was USB only, and as i run Macs, i need Ethernet. Plus it didn't work. I cancelled it today and now need to find a new provider.

My criteria:

Must have UK based support - Philip in Bangolore really pi$$ed me off last week.... Conversation went like this:

Philip: Hello, my name is Philip (Indian Accent)

Me: Hi, i've just signed up to your broadband service and recieved my welcome letter. However, it doesnt mention anything about being Mac compatable, can you just confirm that the software i will recieve will be Mac compatible?

Philip: Sir, you broadband modem will be with you in 14 days

Me: Err, thats not what i asked you? I simply want to confirm the software will be Mac compatible?

Philip: Sir, i have just checked the status and you order will be with you in 14 days

Me: Thats not what i asked you! is it? Is the software Mac Compatible

Philip: I am looking on system and your order is being sent in 14 days

Me: THATS NOT WHAT I ASKED YOU.... IS THE SOFTWARE APPLE MAC COMPATIBLE

Philip: You will receive a modem and cd, but none of this Apple Mac

Me: I know that, i simply want to know if the software is Apple Mac compatible

Philip: You will not recieve this Apple Mac, just a modem

Me: Just put me through to somebody who speaks English

Philip: Ok,.... HANGS UP.

Must also be upto 5mb

Ethernet Modem (compatible with airport express)

Anyone know of any providers that meet this spec?

Or do they simply not exist?

 

Hello

Probably better in the Computer Forum, but I always recommend Zen Zen Broadband Home.

Steve

 

yep another vote for Zen

grab yourself a router as well

Broadbandbuyer.co.uk | Wireless Networking, Wireless Router, ADSL Router, NAS, VoIP and Broadband Hardware Experts

make sure it's ADSL not cable

 

get cable if it's available to you.

 

They all appear to be a pain in the **** when you try to get started. NTL were a pain for me, BT are a pain, pretty much all of them have had horror stories written about them.

However once in NTL are excellent, dont think I have been down for more than an hour in the past 2 years. Not cheap but 10 meg speed........

I guess they are called Virgin Media now aren't they?

 

I agree NTL are great, I never had a problem with them but i moved into a non cable area, so can't get cable!

Had a look at Zen, they seem expensive, but i guess you get what you pay for!

 

ive got loads of problems with ntl (now virgin media) at the moment... maybe its just my area.. im on the 2meg deal and for the last 3 months its been running at about 300k on average.. can't even watch online videos properly! Ive even sent speed test results to them but they just say nothings wrong?? (i have freinds on the exact same package and they have no problems whatsoever though!!)

 

I'm with Pipex and I haven't had a problem. No idea about Mac compatible though, no harm in giving them a ring to find out!

 

Is 300k your download speed? If so that isn't bad is it

 

300k is fast I'd say. My understanding is the d/l speeds can be limited by the BT copper wiring in some areas (including mine). At least this is what PlusNet tell me, who are now owned by BT. So it's not, apparently, just down to the provider.

I set up two wireless BB connections for my dad the other day - he'd got BT and I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the aftersales support. It's in India, but better than some, and notably much better than PlusNet's UK service (which went from quite good to phone-breakingly awful as a result of "improvements to customer service").

I'm looking to move soon too. Zen looks quite good, but I worry that the problem is with the BT wires and I'll still get slow speeds.

 

I'm with PlusNet - had no problems in the 2 years I've been with them. No idea where their support desk is, never had to use it, so that gives you some idea!! Got a claimed 8 meg connection, get an average of 5Mb. Got both my parents and the in laws on it as well, no bother for either of them.

 

I've been PlusNet for years and years, starting with a dial-up. I liked them better when they were a small company in Sheffield - trust me, the support is now truly poor... hold on for 20 mins, leave a message and cross your fingers. However, I think they probably are telling me the truth about why the connection is so unpredictable.

 

Yeah unless ive written it wrong// 0.3mbps.. bit strange as sein im meant to have a 2meg connection and one of my mates that lives within a mile of me (must be within a mile.. about 10min walk) gets 1.9mbps on the same deal and the same company.. using the same test?? Upload speed is the same for both of us 230kbps..

 

That surprises me Olly. They had some major problems with e-mail hold-ups in the last 12 months. Prior to that they actually lost a load of mails. Their support is mostly on-line and if there ever is a problem the phone queue is horrendous. I'm still with them but only on a "devil you know" basis. dl

 

I use MacAce.net. Excellent for Macs (they don't do Windows) but not cheap.

 

Am with Tiscali and have a 2MB connection (apparently) the best I have ever seen download speed is 50kb/s. On average I get about 20kb/s.

 

20k/bs is really poor!!

 

Tiscali deliberatley strangle ports to save bandwidth. You will probably find that you will acheive much higher speeds in the middle of the night as Tiscali only limit speeds during peak times.

 

there are loads of mac users on here (myself included)...I use Nildram, no problems at all, but then if you have a router, that dosent really matter.


get a router, all problems solved....

 

Broadband £11.95, Web Hosting, Colocation UK, Dedicated Servers, Leased Lines from NewNet plc ISP - ADSL / SDSL to 8M - excellent in every area. Not unlimited usage, but if you dont download movies constantly then this is the ISP to go for.

Ones to avoid - Plusnet!!!