What do I need? Confused about broadband speeds

PositiveBalance

Hi all,

I'm looking to get broadband in my abode as I'm currently using a PAYG dongle and seem to be just rinsing data at a shocking rate, despite trying to use it conservatively. Also, I am looking to get a landline as including calls abroad as I have relatives I wish to call who live outside the country. I know that certain providers such as Sky give you the option to add an international package to call landlines in certain countries for an extra £5 a month, which would be most economical for me.

However, in looking up who would be the best provider for my area and give me the best speeds etc. I am confused. The broadband speed for where I live is as follows:
Standard broadband

Up to 16Mb (estimated speed: 5.5Mb)
High speed broadband

Up to 38Mb (estimated speed: 8Mb)

Fibre optic broadband

Up to 76Mb

5.5Mb and 8Mb seem quite low compared to the 'up to' rates. Would I be able to watch films online if I wanted to without that annoying buffering happening all the time like it does on YouTube?

I noticed when looking on uSwitch that is says that some providers allow unlimited downloads, but others only allow 2MB of downloads. That's quite a difference. I guess I should avoid the 2MB provider, right?!

Any idea about providers who offer decent broadband and landline deals including international calls for less than Sky, please?

Thanks for the advice - it's much appreciated.

macman

Since broadband is exchange specific, start with an exchange search on samknows.com for your available LLU providers.
5.5Mbps is quite adequate to stream YouTube and iPlayer-you need around 3Mbps for that. 'Up to' is the theoretical maximum, the actual speed you'll get is primarily down to line length from the exchange. A 2GB (not 2MB) cap is only adequate for light surfing and emailing, you need at least 10GB or more for some streaming or downloading . The cap is not on just downloading, it's on all data used, both up and down. You don't need FTTC for your requirements.
TT also offers an 'International Boost' for a similar price.

PositiveBalance

Hi macman. Thanks for your advice. :T

macman wrote: »

Since broadband is exchange specific, start with an exchange search on samknows.com for your available LLU providers.

OK, so I have the following providers:

Virgin, AOL, o2, C&W (are they still around?), Talk Talk and Tiscali.

macman wrote: »

5.5Mbps is quite adequate to stream YouTube and iPlayer-you need around 3Mbps for that. 'Up to' is the theoretical maximum, the actual speed you'll get is primarily down to line length from the exchange. A 2GB (not 2MB) cap is only adequate for light surfing and emailing, you need at least 10GB or more for some streaming or downloading . The cap is not on just downloading, it's on all data used, both up and down. You don't need FTTC for your requirements.

So I just have to make sure that I get totally unlimited broadband? Or definitely less than 10GB?

Also, what does FTTC mean, please?

macman wrote: »

TT also offers an 'International Boost' for a similar price.

I'm a little reticent about TT as my aunt got them and had real issues with them, but thanks for the tip.

teddysmum

FTTC is 'fibre to the cabinet' and 'ordinary' wires from cabinet to premises.


I don't think you can still buy from O2 as their broadband and home phone customers were 'sold' to Sky, with the option of leaving or migrating to Sky.

macman

Your options are basically VM cable or TalkTalk LLU. Sky is not available. Anything else will be non-LLU and probably more expensive. Also take a look at Plusnet.
No, you need more than a 10GB cap. Not less.
I wasn't recommending TT, but it will certainly be your cheapest option.

Cisco001

Alternatively, if you have smartphone. Get three the one plan, which is £18 per month, and it has all-you-can-eat data and allow tenthering.

PositiveBalance

macman wrote: »

Your options are basically VM cable or TalkTalk LLU. Sky is not available. Anything else will be non-LLU and probably more expensive. Also take a look at Plusnet.
No, you need more than a 10GB cap. Not less.
I wasn't recommending TT, but it will certainly be your cheapest option.

Thanks for the tip about the cap. Although SKY is definitely available as the last people who lived here had it. How up-to-date is that website?

Cisco001 wrote: »

Alternatively, if you have smartphone. Get three the one plan, which is £18 per month, and it has all-you-can-eat data and allow tenthering.

I was looking at that. Does that mean I can use it in my dongle and they won't go mad if I don't use it for calls? I would consider it, but I really need the calls to abroad as well.

Thanks for the help again, tech peeps!

macman

Sky TV is available, or Sky broadband? Different things, no connection.
Unless your exchange is LLU'd for Sky, the only broadband they will be able to offer is Sky Connect: this is just a resold BT wholesale product, and dire.
Samknows is generally very reliable.

PositiveBalance

macman wrote: »

Sky TV is available, or Sky broadband? Different things, no connection.
Unless your exchange is LLU'd for Sky, the only broadband they will be able to offer is Sky Connect: this is just a resold BT wholesale product, and dire.
Samknows is generally very reliable.

Thanks. I'll make the enquiry this evening. They had the TV and I sort of assumed that they had broadband as well, although I could well be wrong. When I went on Sky's website and tried to see if they could provide me with it, the postcode checker didn't say no.

Mysteriouser and mysteriouser...I'll wait and see what they say down the phone.

PositiveBalance

I just spoke to Sky. They were unbelievable! Yes, I can get their services but getting information from them was like pulling teeth! They didn't want to talk to anyone who wasn't taking out their TV services. I'm seriously thinking of avoiding them after that treatment.

If I do take out their services it will cost me £35.40 per month.

Still seething!

macman

Sky can supply broadband at any address (no connection with TV, they're separate services), but only if the exchange is enabled by them for LLU will you get a decent service.
samknows indicates that your exchange is not LLU'd for them, so you'll only get Sky Connect-which you really do not want.
If you put your number into the Sky checker it will tell you immediately if you can get Sky Broadband or only Sky Connect.
Or post the name of your exchange.