Just HOW bad is 1Mbps BB? And 4G options.

Bendy_House

Hi all.

Mum-in-law is about to move into her new bungalow which is in a retirement 'village'. We hadn't checked out BB providers for this beforehand, and are a bit shocked to find that the most she'll be able to get via her landland is 1 to 2Mbps, which is obviously a bit pants...

Just HOW pants is it, tho'? She does play on-line Bridge (Bridge Base Online) and this doesn't need that much data transfer, only a stable connection. We have around 35Mbps at our house - where she currently is - and she never gets through a game without a few drop-outs :-(  So, stability is seemingly more important than outright speed.

She does also, tho', use a Manhattan TV box for its catch-up services (works really well - recommended!), so just how limiting would only 1Mbps be for this?

Finally, if it looks as tho' she may be best going for a 'dongle', what sort of options are there? Everything we see is designed for 'mobile' use - are they the same?

Many thanks for any advice and guidance

[Deleted User]

The only issue would be around streaming, as she won't get HD.

But if she's one of these weird people who are happy with SD, then she'll be fine.

Bendy_House

Thank you. That's - that's pretty clear; 1Mbps just ain't good enough!

We'll also ask at the village what others are using, when we next visit.

Cheers.

Browntoa

2mb is classified as minimum for streaming 

For uhd 4k it's 40mb minimum

flaneurs_lobster

Mobile broadband need not be "mobile", just means a broadband internet service delivered over the mobile network. 

Whatever method of receiving signal (dongle, phone hotspot, mains-powered or battery router) the most important factor is the strength of the mobile signal where it's sited. Perhaps ask specifically about mobile operators used (& cost) of other Village residents. 

Bendy_House

Thank you everyone - that's cleared up a lot of unknowns.

We'll find out what others are using, and take it from there

biscan25

Is three 5G broadband available? I've heard mostly good things about that.

Fidden

Having lived with 3Mbps for 12 years, 1-2Mbps would be bad, especially if she's used to 35Mbps.  Netflix, which is the least fussy of streaming services is OK at 2Mbps.  ITV/C4/C5 etc, anything with adverts in, is painful.  This is because the adverts are streamed at a higher resolution to that of the main program if you are watching in SD - an advert break of 4 minutes will take at least 10 minutes to stutter its way through!

4G would be better if you can get a good signal there.  O2 did a deal last year which was 150GB usage a month for £28, not sure what it is now and there will be similar deals for other providers.  You can hotspot off a phone, or use a mobile broadband router such as this: https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/31941-netgear-lb2120-100uks/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2sD85OTr9gIVzYBQBh1fRw-KEAQYAiABEgJmJPD_BwE

flashg67

I too get 1mb, so use a dedicated Huawei 4g router and an unlimited sim (Lebara in my case) - I just don't use the minutes/texts of course. Downside is it's  trickier to get a house phone added on. (We use mobiles for calls anyway so not an issue)
If you go this route, get a sim from the major networks - 02, 3, Vodafone, EE & do a speed test with each one - don't rely on the network coverage guides - my area shows good coverage from them all, but only Vodafone actually gives a decent speed.

Bendy_House

Many thanks everyone.

Just found out that the 'village' will be upgraded to fibre in around 4 months time, so she can start with ADSL and then upgrade as needed.

We were able to reassure her, tho', that there were other options out there should this have not been the case - she cannae dae w'oot BBO...

Cisco001

Bendy_House said:

Many thanks everyone.

Just found out that the 'village' will be upgraded to fibre in around 4 months time, so she can start with ADSL and then upgrade as needed.

We were able to reassure her, tho', that there were other options out there should this have not been the case - she cannae dae w'oot BBO...

I personally would use 4G until they fully upgrade.
Arguing with CS from broadband company about min term, cancellation charge, non-performance, delays, etc will cause headache.