Crappy broadband

Databug

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Dec 14, 2009, 6:03:39 AM12/14/09

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Ive just signed up with O2 LLu after a very failed attempt at trying to
sign up with Virgin (8 weeks later and still no internet or idea when Id
be connected or any communication as to what the hell is going on type
fail).

Aaanyway signed up with O2 I am now online and all is working but speeds
are not too impressive. I've signed for the 20mb package. Ive been told
that my line can handle 14mb So I was expecting around 10mb. Im getting
on average 6mb occasionally dropping lower. Its even worse if I use
their crappy Thompson Box.

Checking out what else is available to me it would seem LLU wise I have
a choice of Talk Talk, Bulldog, Tiscali and AOL as LLU providers. I
havnt heard great things about any of those.

Should I just stick with O2s 6mb? Its still way faster than what I had
with Pipex. And its way cheaper too as I was paying �24 for Pipex and Im
paying �14 for O2.

What would you guys do? I need to make a decision before my happiness
guarantee month runs out.
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char

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Dec 14, 2009, 6:41:41 AM12/14/09

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They usually run the broadband for a couple of days and if your not
getting between 8 and 20mb they will change you to the 8mb package.

But its been a while since i signed up and they might have changed this....

My line speed was increased about 25% when BT came out to replace the
line between my incoming BT box and the connection in the street.

But the bit of wire they changed did look about 40 years old.... the bt
bloke said he had worked for BT for about 35 years and had never seen
that wire used.

I would suggest you stick with O2.. especially if you have got an o2
mobile account.. (5 pound saving)

Databug

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Dec 14, 2009, 6:56:09 AM12/14/09

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there are a few things I could try but unfortunately not easily. My PC
is upstairs I only have a desktop. There is an extension cable leading
upstairs. I could do with testing the line from the main socket but
without an easily portable PC this isnt straight forward. Also its not a
long term option as the PC needs to be upstairs. But at least id know if
its the extension cable. But would that drop the line speed by that amount?

char

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Dec 14, 2009, 7:44:08 AM12/14/09

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The old bit of cable looked like a bell wire..

As you know the only way to know for sure would be to:-
1. move your pc downstairs and check it..
2. plug the O2 broadband router straight into the main socket and then
connect to your pc upstairs with a network cable or even add a wireless
dongle/card to your pc.

Redman

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Dec 14, 2009, 10:29:50 AM12/14/09

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"char" <ch...@no.effing.spam> wrote in message
news:005c3908$0$5439$c3e...@news.astraweb.com...

Could plug the router straight into the main socket as you've suggested and
use a set of homeplugs assuming he has decent electrical wiring in the
house, it's what I do.

Redman

SantaUK

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Dec 14, 2009, 4:31:53 PM12/14/09

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> Could plug the router straight into the main socket as you've suggested
> and
> use a set of homeplugs assuming he has decent electrical wiring in the
> house, it's what I do.
>
> Redman

Seconded - I was skeptical about these Home plugs - but they are brill!

Redman

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Dec 15, 2009, 2:26:32 AM12/15/09

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"SantaUK" <san...@northpole.com> wrote in message
news:DoudnV3QFo9ZM7vW...@giganews.com...

Yes as I hate wireless I was a bit skeptical at first myself of the
Homeplugs, got myself 2 Solwise 85Mb ones over a year ago and have never
looked back.

Redman

Databug

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Dec 16, 2009, 10:53:13 AM12/16/09

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Ive ofte looked at that electrical networking option. Seems expensive
though and surprised more people dont use it with the convenience
options etc. Is it pretty good then?

Databug

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Dec 16, 2009, 10:58:23 AM12/16/09

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Just looked them up they seem fairly affordable 2 at Amazon for 50ish
quid. I might consider that option. Presumably 85mb is the network speed
it can handle then.

I was toying with getting a NAS drive would that mean Id have to get
another one of these adapters to plug the Nas drive into and also
presumably Id need an adapter for each device connected to the network
which in this case would be 4. 2 PCs, 1 router, 1 Nas drive. Although
dont need all 4 straight away as the 2nd PC can just run wirelessly for Now.

Redman

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Dec 16, 2009, 10:58:24 AM12/16/09

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"Databug" <dat...@NOSPAM.mangomuzik.co.uk> wrote in message
news:WPGdnRVaGpj2n7TW...@pipex.net...

Yeah it works and works very well, as for being expensive, I paid about �35
on eBay for a set of 2 Solwise 85Mb plugs. If you are going down this route
then I recommend at a minimum that you use the 85Mb ones.

Redman