PlusNet

[James]

I'm now on my 2MB broadband connection with PlusNet - it's SCORCHING! Web pages are completely instant, and streaming video is of TV / DVD quality, with no buffering mid-stream.

http://www.websitearchitecture.co.uk/barker/forum/speed.gif

And cheaper than the 512KB I was on with BT (who have sent me a letter of apology for their poor service - to my old address, naturally!)

Gutting thing is, I'm still indirectly paying some money to BT - they still profit from all ADSL connections as they own the infrastructure and charge other ISPs for its use. They are still a monopoly in many areas.

[David]

That is very impressive James - I am now toying with the idea of upgrading to 1MB. BT reckon that I "may" be able to go to 1MB (I'm on the new 1MB) distance limit recently set. I must say that things are improving very rapidly - we only got broadband here in June 2004 after BT brought the threshold down. If someone had told me, just 6 months ago, that I could have a 1MB broadband conection by the end of the year, I wouldn't have believed them!

[James]

I have just rebuilt my computer and have enjoyed watching new program installations (Acrobat Reader, Mailwasher etc etc) downloading from the web at full throttle.

I have also enjoyed browsing at break neck speed, being more inclined to download large files, music, stream video clips, just for the hell of it, because it's so damn beautiful!

Problem: I've been on PlusNet for less than a week and have already downloaded nearly 2GB of data. I bought a 4GB monthly limit package. I should be OK though, because most of the large files have now been downloaded as they related to my new install.

But, fast connections undoubtedly mean more bandwidth, as you can receive more in less time, and the brilliance of the speed means you are more click-happy. Sites genuinely load instantly, I still can't believe I've got this!

If I reach the 4GB limit, then each additional GB is charged at £1.75 - which I think is most reasonable.

I might just upgrade to the unlimited bandwidth package - I'm going to need more bandwidth when I get into my photo project anyway. The unlimited 2MB is £39.99 per month which seems a lot, but it's the same price as the Sky Multichannels TV package (which I haven't got but many have) which makes it more justifiable!

[Phil]

I should be OK though, because most of the large files have now been downloaded as they related to my new install.


i dunno, it never seems to work like that. I'm averaging 4-6Gb a month just doing "regular" stuff; browsing, iTunesing, Skype, the odd distro, etc. Be a man. go unlimited

[James]

There was an article about broadband in yesterday's Evening Standard.

PlusNet was ranked top of their top 10 suppliers, based on service, support and customer surveys.

[David]

That doesn't surprise me. As I've said, my experience with them has been great and each time that I've done a speed test, it has exceeded their quoted speed. It will be interesting to see how long they can keep it up. They're already one of the cheapest ISPs around and they're providing excellent service. Where's the catch?

[James]

I don't understand why there is a slight variation in the speed test results between ISPs.

As they all use the same BT infrastructure what part of the connection is actually in the direct control of the ISP and causes the difference?

I always thought broadband supply was rather like gas and electricity: one company owns the pipes and controls the flow. The various other companies in the market merely administer the payment.

Cheers.