Internet Providers - HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

[ifm]

Don't they all use the same equipment from their local exchanges, the only difference in ISP's is the ratio's they run on for users per line?

Not quite true (i know all this because of the Tiscali forums), when an ISP takes over the BT exchange it moves in it's own equipment (this is incredibly expensive BTW).
IPstream is "managed" by BT and BT are actually very good at managing their exchanges, if they oversubscribe usage they upgrade the exchange.
With LLU or datastream an ISP leases X amount of capacity and tries to add every man and his dog onto it, this at peak times throttles the connection but it is the ISP's fault and not BT's.
Many ISP's just ignore or bulls**t customers instead of upgrading their equipment.

[jizzemm]

All I can say is, I would not touch Tiscali, Orange, or Carphone Warehouse they are all the pits. Had major problems at work and home with tiscali, and from reading previous posts there still seems to be a connection issue with tiscali (to blonde or same network).

In the end i had enough of all the crap from the different providers, and moved back to BT broadband on the 5meg per month limit for £17 odd per month, and I have not had any problems from a download issue, and also got free broadband eveing calls as well..

Good Luck, its a minefield and I'm glad that I am currently happy !!! for now

[Weblomaniac]

I've been on NTL Broadband (now rebadged as Virgin) for 5 years plus, never any problems. Have had to call customer support about my Cable TV package a couple of times and was on hold for ages but they got there in the end. No complaints though and the broadband is pretty reliable.

[kinboshi]

I've been on NTL Broadband (now rebadged as Virgin) for 5 years plus, never any problems. Have had to call customer support about my Cable TV package a couple of times and was on hold for ages but they got there in the end. No complaints though and the broadband is pretty reliable.

Their broadband is spot on - very reliable.  Their accounts/sales/customer service, etc. is ropey.  They tried to charge me all sorts of different things and ballsed it up lots of times.  After finally getting through to a manager (after shouting at people) it's been sorted (except for the engineer coming out last week to install Virgin TV that we haven't ordered...), and we now get the telephone and 10MB broadband for less than £20 a month.

I could probably get a cheaper broadband setup, but I doubt I could find a better broadband service so I'm sticking with it.

[Triple X]

thanks guys - looks like they are all as bad as each other.

I hear Sky is terrible so whoever above said they were looking to switch to Sky then be careful.

After all i have said above - Orange have dangled too big a carrot and it looks like i might stay!!!  They will refund my current £17.99 for this month and put me on a better package at £9.99 a month and will give me 6 months free.

I just wish there was one that was head and shoulders above the rest but it doesnt look that way!

[ifm]

I can get free orange because of my mobile tarriff, that's what i was gonna do.

[barhell]

I went to tescos broadband and have never had a connection problem in 3 years, it's only 512kb and costs me £18 a month but at least i'm always connected.

[FlyingPig]

I am with talktalk, and have no problems.

There service is fine, and its £20 a month for broadband and free calls uk and international at all times of the day. So if you have freinds or family abroad it is the best offer around i think.... Unless you have sky at the mo, which makes them the most attractive offer.