Real-life MMD: Should gamers pay for faster broadband?

BobbinAlong

First check what deal you are actually on. And whether your landline part of the package includes calls and you actually use them, or could you switch to a cheaper deal with less call time.
My unlimited use with BT only costs about £23 a month plus cheapest landline so between five of you that's about 2 pints of beer a month.
Secondly gamers should not use wifi but be wired to the router as all above have said and make sure the internet link is password protected so neighbours can't connect.
And remember those gamers could actually be working - my son has just completed a degree in computer games programming!

JayD

Stop being a wimp and tell them 'It is YOU who are using up the bandwidth - so if we need more because of that then YOU should pay the extra' and if I were you I would cope - no matter how slow it was - and refuse to pay a penny more. Trust me, they will want it to be fast for them to game effectively, so they WILL pay the extra

Talent

The extra cost should be shared by those that want it, simples. Don't chip in more than you are now. As has been said already, it may not help the gamers anyway but it won't worry you.

chris5100

Assuming you are using Virgin, then the upgrade wont be that significant. The basic service is £25, mid £30 and top £37.50 (a month).If you divide an upgrade by 6 people, a step up is between 80P to £1.25 a month each. Thats an extra cost of between 4p to 6p a day.

The worst case scenario is you spend £10 more, 5-6 pints in a year!

Just relax and make the most of university. Don't let a simple thing such as broadband get in the way of having a good time! Before you know it, you'll have finished university and enter the real world!

Source of insight: Shared houses at both university and in London after!

oldnewhand

As a landlord of a student property where broadband is included in rent, we pay Virgin's extortionate charges for fibre optics so that the 3 students get a good speed to help them in their STUDY (as well as pleasure). As it's inclusive they, in fact, all pay an equal share. Thus I would have thought with a potential of 6 people using the internet at once a faster speed would be desirable whatever you were using it for. It may not seem totally fair to you, one of life's little lessons you need to learn ~ life ain't always perfectly fair. You would benefit from the increase speed and divided by 6 I bet it would cost you less than a pint in the student bar.

happyinflorida

I don't think their gaming should be affecting your broadband. Something is wrong with either the set up or the provider of your broadband.


I've got two sons who spend all their spare time gaming.


We've had a lot of problems with this especially from one suffering from lag but it was only one and it was to do with his computer - he bought a new one, problem solved.


We have had problems when we've changed provider - both had non stop problems with Talktalk - I wouldn't recommend that company for anything - they cut us off without any warning when I gave them notice and we were still in credit with them! I lost the use of our telephone when I was stuck at home, in bed, with a broken knee - and I complained to the relevant body who took their side completely as I'd got no proof of being cut off?!!


We've been with Sky - also very bad and Virgin - who initially we had a lot of problems with but eventually it became ok. We're now with BT who the change over to was the smoothest I've ever known!


But broadband varies from area to area - so check what your area is like and what top speed you can expect to get.


You can also test on your computer what speed you are receiving on your computer too - this all helps to determine where the problem stems from.


Good luck!

minicooper272

According to a friend that works for a broadband company, bandwidth is not used up by what you do on the internet - it is split equally among all the devices that are connected, and what you do on your device will determine how fast it is.

If you have 4 computers and 2 phones connected, the it will be split 6 ways. If you turn off the phones, it will be split 4 ways, which will speed up connection for those 4. It's worth trying to disconnect a few devices to see if that helps.

As for the additional cost, it's a tough one - bear in mind you might pay more and notice very little difference. If you are happy with the connection you have, then don't pay, if you will take full advantage of an increased speed, then pay for it.

roses

I actually think the answer to this is "it depends".

Are there any other areas of the house where you get more benefit than others? Eg heating, food, water etc. If yes then I would pay as it would balance out overall.

If all other amenities are genuinely equal then I would say you think that the bill should be proportionately split. This may lead to opening a can of worms if in future, other bills that need splitting come up.

G6JPG

minicooper272 wrote: »

According to a friend that works for a broadband company

(which one, so I can avoid it:)?)

, bandwidth is not used up by what you do on the internet - it is split equally among all the devices that are connected, and what you do on your device will determine how fast it is.

That's not even self-consistent: first he says it is split equally, then he says it depends what you do:(.

If you have 4 computers and 2 phones connected, the it will be split 6 ways. If you turn off the phones, it will be split 4 ways, which will speed up connection for those 4.

Rubbish:) - unless they're smartphones that are continually downloading ...

It's worth trying to disconnect a few devices to see if that helps.

Now there I'd agree, as there's nothing to lose. I wouldn't expect to see any difference except from high-usage devices (video recorder for example).

As for the additional cost, it's a tough one - bear in mind you might pay more and notice very little difference. If you are happy with the connection you have, then don't pay, if you will take full advantage of an increased speed, then pay for it.

As others have said, consider what else you might use more of than them in the house - really, depends on your relationship with them all.

I'd also share the doubt, or at least question, that they are to blame; do some tests, when they are there and playing and when they're not. (And also make sure that when they are there doesn't just correspond with when the 'net is slow anyway - it is at certain times of day/week. To eliminate this, try in the small hours, again both when they are and when they're not.)

clairmelville

Hi, I had a similar problem back in the time when internet wasn't so developed.
My flatmates wanted to use the internet all the time and for some reason that meant I could not use the phone except if I asked them to disconnect and make a phone call. So I was left with have no phone and pay for internet that I could use (albeit very slow), or not pay and not use either. I decided I needed the money and the gamers could have what they wanted at a more expensive price.