Tiscali Contention Ratio

KatieF

We've got tiscali broadband in a highly student-populated area, and at times the internet is mind-bogglingly slow, although at others it runs at its normal speed (we have 1meg broadband), we presume this is because of the contention ratio. It is a little better than it was, before Xmas it was absolutely frustrating, but for future reference, are some providers worse for this than others? Its not worth paying for broadband even as speed is sometimmes slower than dialup!!

wonderfullife_2

Hi
Tiscali don't have a contention rate, they put as many people as they can get on one line, and the one who gets on first is the winner, and the rest are on dialup speed.

Tiscali one of the worst isp's around, cheap is not always best. No they are not all the same, some good ones out there, but you usually have to pay more.
Take a look and compare
http://www.adslguide.org.uk/isps/compare.asp

Hope this helps

Froggitt

My understanding is that the ADSL bandwidth down your road is shared among all people in that road with ADSL, no matter what their ISP is. So even if you changed to Wanadoo, there would still be enough capacity from the exchange to your road.

espresso

Froggitt wrote:

My understanding is that the ADSL bandwidth down your road is shared among all people in that road with ADSL, no matter what their ISP is. So even if you changed to Wanadoo, there would still be enough capacity from the exchange to your road.

:doh:

Sorry but you are wrong!

What is the difference between DataStream and IPStream Broadband?

ISP's using Datastream connections (Tiscali, Bulldog etc) are the ones that are being complained about most on many ADSL forums. This is because BT, under OFCOM rulings, had to open their exchanges up for the sake of competition. Since they had to do this, it now allows ISP's to install there own equipment in the exchange. This is the key to Datastream services.

A Datastream provider can install a 2Mbit circuit into a telephone exchange, but this immediately causes contention issues, as the capacity to run thousands of connections is not specifically there from the offset.

The main issue currently facing Datastream broadband providers is the speed that users can access the Internet and email services. Because the ISP routes traffic through its own network, the more users on board directly affects the speed in which users can use the Internet. The busier a telephone exchange, the worse the connection speed becomes.

IPStream Broadband Providers (BT, Proweb etc) channel all customers down a 155Mbit network circuit. This is fed directly onto a BT controlled network, which gives us a balanced speed. The number of users connected to the exchange does not affect the connection speeds, as it is a completely balanced network, regulated by OFCOM.

:wall:

KatieF

Thanks espresso and wonderfullife, at least now I know where it's going wrong!! I can't stop Tiscali til October but now I'll have a clue when I do get to change broadband provider!

And I've learnt so much from your incredibly helpful post Espresso!