Internet speeds

first78

I'm currently looking at moving our broadband provider from Virgin to Sky.

At home we only use Internet for social media on iPad or phone, Skype, occasional downloads. We don't stream anything or have Xbox or other games consoles.

At the moment we have fibre optic broadband speed of 69.5 - 81.9, which the sales rep from Sky told me was much faster than anything we need and he offered a Sky package with speeds of 6.0 - 12.

This means nothing to me, but if we go with the slower speeds will we be losing much based on what we use the net for? Thanks!

bod1467

6 - 12 means you'd be on ADSL-type (full phone line) broadband. For your stated usage those speeds should be fine.

But ... are you sure you don't stream anything? No Netflix? No smart TV with catch-up TV apps (Iplayer etc.)?

first78

bod1467 wrote: »

6 - 12 means you'd be on ADSL-type (full phone line) broadband. For your stated usage those speeds should be fine.

But ... are you sure you don't stream anything? No Netflix? No smart TV with catch-up TV apps (Iplayer etc.)?

We don't have Netflix, we have a TiVo box but rarely use iplayer...when we do it buffers a lot with the speed we currently have so I try and avoid it.

bingo_bango

first78 wrote: »

We don't have Netflix, we have a TiVo box but rarely use iplayer...when we do it buffers a lot with the speed we currently have so I try and avoid it.

You're obviously on the same Virgin BB package as I am, so I don't see how iPlayer buffers. Mine runs perfectly (both on PC and through Tivo box). My other streaming services also work fine.

As you don't necessarily seem to stream a lot, then the speed drop may not seem so important, but I also need to download large files (4-20 Gb) and a drop to 10Mb would be like stepping back 10 years. Just bear in mind how long those downloads would take if you do decide to move providers (think Windows updates and the like).

first78

bingo_bango wrote: »

You're obviously on the same Virgin BB package as I am, so I don't see how iPlayer buffers. Mine runs perfectly (both on PC and through Tivo box). My other streaming services also work fine.

As you don't necessarily seem to stream a lot, then the speed drop may not seem so important, but I also need to download large files (4-20 Gb) and a drop to 10Mb would be like stepping back 10 years. Just bear in mind how long those downloads would take if you do decide to move providers (think Windows updates and the like).

I don't really think I download stuff...most of my internet use is uploading photos to Facebook, general use of Facebook, job hunting online, I can't think of anything I download.

mac.d

If you don't play games online, stream or download much, then definitely standard broadband should do you fine. Like bingo bango says, if you download anything at all it will take you a lot, long longer than you are used to going from a 70MB down to around 10MB. But of you don't download much, then it shouldn't really be an issue.

General web browsing will also probably feel a little bit slower, and uploading any photos will take longer, but only because you've been on a service that provides an awful lot more than you need.

S0litaire

With Fibre speeds you should not be encountering buffering and I can agree you might not notice much of a difference if you drop down to ADSL+2 speeds (that's around 1 fifth of your current speeds)

Are you using the iPlayer via the Tivo or tablets.

If you know anyone with a (or can pick up something like a) "TV Now" box (they cost £15 or so) and connect that to your broadband and TV you can see if you still get buffering on your TV when using iPlayer.

If you still get buffering, then it might be an issue with your connection/Virgin router so getting a new one from them might help (or changing supplier with new equipment).

If not then it might be the devices you are using which is causing the buffering.

first78

Many thanks for all the advice. I think a slower speed would suit us 😀
Next step is to start haggling with virgin!

bod1467

first78 wrote: »

I don't really think I download stuff...most of my internet use is uploading photos to Facebook, general use of Facebook, job hunting online, I can't think of anything I download.

Did Sky tell you what your upload speed estimate is? Currently you're probably getting several meg upload speed. With ADSL2+ this will drop to about 1 meg, so photo uploads (depending on file sizes) will take longer. In the grand scheme of things you might not notice.

PS - if you're going to ADSL2+ then you'll likely have a very wide range of potential providers available - you don't have to jump to the first one you've asked.

AndyPix

What you have now is massive overkill.
You need 2Mbs to stream SD and 4Mbs to stream HD.


I watch ALL my tv through an internet connection and i have standard sky copper connection.
Running at around 4.5Mbs

Johno100

AndyPix wrote: »

What you have now is massive overkill.
You need 2Mbs to stream SD and 4Mbs to stream HD.

I watch ALL my tv through an internet connection and i have standard sky copper connection.
Running at around 4.5Mbs

I concur, I'm on roughly 6Mbs with Sky and streaming HD (1080p & multi channel audio) isn't a problem.

I moved away from Virgin for broadband and phone a few years ago for a number of reasons 1) the cost, as I had Sky TV I got I think it was 18 months or 2 years free broadband (just paid line rental), 2) Virgin's network around here was/is operating over capacity and is quite antiquated (formerly Birmingham Cable) so speeds used to drop off of an evening in particular 3) If you did get the promised speed the throttling of speeds (both upload and download) if you reached the usage limit for that package was a pain. Sky say theirs is unlimited and that seems to be correct.