OK it's time I got BB!!

So what is the best ISP deal?
I've been looking and BT, Virgin and Pipex. They seem to be the best deals for me.

As I'm starting from scratch I'll be needing a modem?
Virgin use the alcatel SpeedTouch 330 which the misses has fallen in love with (something to do with the colour I think):rolleyes: http://www.speedtouchonline.com/330datasheet.asp
Is there any differance in the modems and is it worth buying it separatly?

In the future I'd like to get a laptop. So wireless is the way forward, but what do I need to get that up and running and is it worth doing it now?

BT conn + modem = £50.00 + £29.99 a month
Virgin conn + modem = £59.99 + £24.99
Pipex conn + modem = £69.35 + £23.44

I've been looking through http://www.adslguide.org.uk all night and my brain is swimming with access speeds both upstream and down and static and Dynamic Ip's(???)

Can someone give me any advice in English:)

Thanks,
Iain.

If you are planning on getting more than one computer online at any point in time, dont bother with paying the money on the USB Modem that you have given a link too. Get a proper router to start with, it will save you in the long run! Something like this is what you will want. What that will do is to allow both your PC and up to 3 other PC's connected via physical cables plus wireless clients all access the internet at the same time, without putting any strain on your current PC. This method also means that if your main PC was off and you wanted to go online with the laptop you could.

As for which ISP to use, I have used Pipex before and they were good however if you are going to order soon Zen have got free activation, so the money that you save on the setup fee's can pay for the proper wireless router above.

Zen also have 'Static IP's (that means that routers internet address will not change about all the time) However for what I would imagine that you will use the DSL for it doesn't really make any difference to you!

Also dont forget that you will require 'Micro Filters' for your telephone sockets.

Any questions give me a shout?

Ian

pipex for 4 months, no problems and i'm quite a heavey user.

I'm with Pipex and have been for the last 15 months. At first they were a nightmare, continually losing connection for days at a time but was told it was due to the cards at the BT exchange keep blowing, they were on the old Fuji cards allegedly that had severe issues. Had to put up with quite a lot of downtime but for the last 12 months don't think I have had any downtime with them, I leave it on 24/7 and it gets very heavy usage :D

Again I get a free month so I'll do you a deal over Megastreams offer :p ;)

(Joking)

Been with Eclipse now for a couple of weeks. Tehy were really quick on getting me set up - less than a week from ordering to being online, including the despatch of a alcatel usb modem.

Everyithn installed on my win2k machine with no effort from me whatsoever, and have had no problems since.

Thoroughly recommended. They also don't put a stop on certain ports, so you can use p2p software if you wish, and they dont (currently) limit your downloads, which some providers do or are intending to.

Given that BT changed the anytime package to actually be 150 hours max over the month, I'd be cautious going with them in case they do something equally stupid with the broadband package.

Cheers
Dave

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Website :: www.scoobyphotos.com
email ::::: dave@scoobyphotos.com
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Thanks guys just what I wanted:)

Is anyone using Virgin?

Was a bit worried about using BT as I have hurd bad things. Though that was some time ago;)

Looks like Pipex is a definate option!!

Ian,
I'll have a look at those links, might even give you a call:)
and I'll post in wanted for a Modem as well.

Iain.

Iain, have you looked at Plusnet? They come up very favourably on adslguide and you can get the dynamic IP package for 18.99 a month. We've been with then for nearly a year now and never had any problems with them. :D

Chris

I'm on Plusnet & very happy :D

Running two PC's via a D-Link DSL-504 (i think) ADSL moder/ 4 port hub.

Ian

Eclipse :D

I'm with eclipse - it came reccomended to me from a mate - doddle to get working, and I am a veritable PC spanner.

Thanks all,
I have spoken to IanW at length today and it looks like I'll go for Pipex - wires only connection and get myself a wireless router:) Which Ian is looking into at the momment, cheers mate! ;)

Still need the lappy to make the most of it now though:p
Will sort that in the next few months.

I can't wait to get a decent speed, anyone got any spare hard disks?:p
I've a feeling I'm going to need them;):D:D:D

Iain.

Iain

I've got Pipex, been on for 3 months or so now, very impressed with them, never had a problem connecting. :)

I've got the Speedtouch modem aswell, works a treat. I had the Netgear wireless router with a PCMCIA card for my laptop and a USB adaptor for my PC upstairs, it was useless :( constantly dropping out, eventually sent it back for a refund. Shame as when it worked it worked very well, Netgear blamed it on Windows XP...

Oh, and if you go to Pipex give me a shout, if I refer you I get a free month :D

I went for this package Solo Post a wanted for a USB modem, I got my modem from DJDunk for £25 :)



[Edited by mega_stream - 6/10/2003 8:45:56 AM]

D'oh - double post. :)

Chris

[Edited by Chris_S199 - 6/10/2003 4:46:52 PM]