Which wireless Broadband ISP??

chrispinks

Right.. the time has come to go broadband, and I'm weighing up the options. There seems a big focus on cost, although I don't mind paying a bit more for quality of service.

Also, for going wireless - or wi-fi - can I buy the wireless router from elsewhere, rather than using the overpriced units that the ISP will pressure me to buy?

Any hints on the process of getting this setup much appreciated!!

mrJ_5

buy from ebuyer... so much cheaper

phill79

I would advise reading about wireless first and the different speeds, eg, 802.11b +g. 11b being slower, but cheaper. Although for normal web browsing, you wouldnt be able to tell anyway.
I would also advise reading about how to set wireless up so it is secure, otherwise you will have little johnny down the street on his laptop getting free internet.
You can get some good bargains on Ebay too.

gizmoleeds

chrispinks wrote:

Also, for going wireless - or wi-fi - can I buy the wireless router from elsewhere, rather than using the overpriced units that the ISP will pressure me to buy?

Of course. You can use whatever hardware you want once you have the connection. Just stick the free modem you get in a cupboard.

The main benefit to buying from the ISP is that you get exactly what you need - many people end up buying the wrong router :doh:

If you get cable broadband then you can't go wrong, but if you get DSL (any broadband on a BT-line) then make sure what you buy is a modem router.

BTW, BT are generally overpriced but will give you a wireless router for £25, and how's this for a limit-breaching policy:

Occasionally exceeding your usage guideline is not a problem - if your usage regularly exceeds the guideline amount we will contact you to suggest possible upgrade options

No £2 a GB or anything, just a phonecall to advise you to upgrade!

http://www.bt.com/broadband/bb_info.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0885432383.1130659410@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddgdhkmliecflgcefkdffndflj.0&obsNoSee=Y&vStore=1128&obsPage=/index.jsp&obsType=LINK&obsOID=99101

chrispinks

Thanks for your replies guys. So I'll get the modem router elsewhere, but the question it seems everyone is asking: what is the cheapest ISP for Broadband? Although .. VALUE as opposed to price should be the focus here surely?!

Any ISPs that you'd recommend for 1MB unlimited download service?

gizmoleeds

chrispinks wrote:

Thanks for your replies guys. So I'll get the modem router elsewhere, but the question it seems everyone is asking: what is the cheapest ISP for Broadband? Although .. VALUE as opposed to price should be the focus here surely?!

Any ISPs that you'd recommend for 1MB unlimited download service?

Here is a link to a recent customer satisfaction survey of ISPs:
http://www.uk-bug.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=907&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
(Link courtesy StephenB, thanked his post orignally linking to it )

And this site is good for genral ISP advice and comparison:
http://www.adslguide.org.uk/

I am with BT and always have been so any advice I give would just be regurgitation of what I've heard on this forum.

mrJ_5

zazizam have been good for me - capped 2gb, 2mb is £11.99, or unlimited 1mb is £19.99 - both include some phone options aswell