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How bad is .5mbps braodband...

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Hi All!

.5mbps is the speed that we should get at the new house - currently getting 4144 on the test page of Broadbandspeedchecker - just how poor is that going to be, when on the internet?

VB
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Comments

  • Conor_3
    Conor_3 Posts: 6,944 Forumite
    Its not as bad as dialup. TBH, you'll only really notice it on downloads. Normal web browsing will seem a little slower but not 1/8th the speed.
  • epz_2
    epz_2 Posts: 1,859 Forumite
    im not sure you could really call it broadband, i may be wrong but i recon you would be pushing it to watch youtube.

    how far are you from your exchange, any old wireing or dodgy extention cords
  • weegie.geek
    weegie.geek Posts: 3,432 Forumite
    Most youtube stuff will be low enough bitrate-wise to watch on a half meg connection. It might buffer a bit more at the start, so it'll be a few seconds before you get to start watching it, but it'll be watchable.

    If you're going to have more than one pc sharing the connection it'll be a bit of a nightmare.

    If you do much downloading or gaming you'll notice the difference, but if you're just a browser it'll be fine.
    They say it's genetic, they say he can't help it, they say you can catch it - but sometimes you're born with it
  • Woby_Tide
    Woby_Tide Posts: 5,344 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    is that .5mbps on a BT connection, is there any option of an LLU providor that may offer a bit more bandwidth for that location? what does samknows.co.uk say about the connection
  • dazed
    dazed Posts: 881 Forumite
    vansboy wrote: »
    Hi All!

    .5mbps is the speed that we should get at the new house - currently getting 4144 on the test page of Broadbandspeedchecker - just how poor is that going to be, when on the internet?

    VB


    I am going to be in exactly the same situation as you from July :(

    Which provider are you looking at getting?

    I am with idnet at present.
    Man who stands on toilet is high on pot. - Old chinese proverb.
  • phill79
    phill79 Posts: 494 Forumite
    There is also not as many ISP's offering good deals on 512k speeds.
  • vyseyboy
    vyseyboy Posts: 624 Forumite
    Unfortunately it's the only [cheapish and readily available,] option for most non-LLU-unbundled country bumpkins, like myself.

    Optical telephone infrastructure, anyone?
    Russia is HERE
  • M4RKM
    M4RKM Posts: 5,132 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    if i did a speedchecker, i'd be told i get 512kb broadband... i've got a faceplace filter, and ADSL2+ with Sky, and get a nice solid 2mb line....
  • Tate65
    Tate65 Posts: 89 Forumite
    I only get about 2mbps and I think that's fairly slow - 0.5mbps wouldn't be good. But then it depends on what you use it for and how long for. I think it will be noticeable, especially if you're used to 8 times that speed at the moment.
  • vansboy
    vansboy Posts: 6,483 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Which provider are you looking at getting?


    Is that .5mbps on a BT connection, is there any option of an LLU providor ?

    I just did an availablity search with BT & this was the result figure quoted.

    I'm currently with AOL, so will see what they think.

    Did try O2 but said not available in the area.

    I'll check the suggestions made here!

    Thanks again!

    VB
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