Which is the best "all in" ISP (in the UK)?
 

To get the ball rolling, I use freeserve, but I have had lots of problems logging on (constantly engaged, or no data transfer when eventually connected) to such an extent that I cancelled my contract.

Are there any all in packages in the UK that provide a decent service?

Thanks.

Chihuahua

I'm with Freeserve Anytime and concur that failed connections are a problem. However, the connection speed when you do get through is usually pretty good and better my previous ISP which was LineOne pay as you go. That was very reliable and an acceptable speed, but my usage now justifies a 24/7 package and they don't do one.

I have quickly got used to not having to 'clock-watch' whilst on-line and enjoy knowing that it's all covered for £12.99 a month. Having cancelled my first Anytime account to change username, I can assure everyone that they do give prompt refunds on any unused portion of a month when you cancel.

I tried the 50 hour free trial with AOL before freeserve.... What a load of rubbish!

AOL Connects all right but is soooooo slow. Watching paint dry is more interesting. Add to that the fact that it hi-jacks your computer, you can't use Outlook Express and when you want to disconnect it sometimes spends an extra couple of minutes downloading something you haven't asked for (and can't stop) into your computer, thus removing your ability to decide when your phone line will be available for other uses!.... All I can say is that I cancelled AOL within a week and couldn't uninstall it quickly enough!

IMHO, Freeserve is worth the money and I'll probably stick with it now until ADSL is available in my area (if I'm stil alive!). I wish they'd sort out the connection failure rate though.... It IS a pain in the neck.

Chihuahua

I use btinternet.com and have been doing so since summer 2000.

I did try the AOL free trial just before Xmas but was not impressed.....very slow.....takes over your computer.....can NOT be removed fully from your hard disc.

My bt account is 24 hour for £14.99 a month all in. I have not had many problems and usually get a good connection speed. The only down side is they still charge 50p a min for tech support (outrageous!)but you can get support via email.

Good luck

JWF :)

If you like btinternet(spit) you will love

www.blueyonder.co.uk

Very happy with AOL - never have any major problems.
A big plus with AOL if you have children who access the web on your PC are the Parental Controls which can be set depending on age, etc.

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Likewise, just started with AOL, and very happy with it so far. GBP15/month for unlimited access AND free help-line seems quite a reasonable package.

As an add on to this. BT internet is great PROVIDED you can access it from a BT line now they've changed their access number. As someone who travels and needs to access in the UK from hotel rooms and other phone lines has anyone got any comments about other all in ISP's - criteria are it MUST be an 0800 number (not 0808) and must not be line dependant (only useable from a nominated phone number - like freeserve anytime)

cheers

CM

Spend lots of money and get an ADSL connection. Super fast and not conecting each time and your phone is always usable. Unfortunatly its very expensive (unless your a pilot then its very cheap)


:) :)
:) :)

I use 'The Free Internet' TFI.
Paid £56 for a years unlimitted 0800, I think they now ask around £80/year.
The connection is good when 'on', takes a few tries to get a connection around 6pm or peak W'end times.
The dialer they supply will auto redial up to 15 times if it can't connect - pretty neat.

NOTE : I went through a spell of having extreem difficulty connecting after having moved area. They blamed the local BT exchange limiting 0800 acces through their exchange to TFI's telecom company.
The problem lasted for a frustrating few months then overnight went, and has been fine ever since.

Also the 0800 only works from ONE nominated landline.

I went for NTL's cablemodem service. £19 per month, permanently online , £130 for the modem and 512K/128K service.

I can regularly get download rates of 100kbps, against Dialup's 5kbps (on a good day).

Check if you are in a Cable area. It's worth it.

H

I have been using BT Internet Anytime, which gives unlimited 24/7 access. Up until about a month ago it would run at about 35kps-40kps. Now I have to use a 0808 number to access it, and it never exceeds 14.4kps. I believe it has something to do with the 0808 number, but BT don't tend to admit this is at fault. Do either of the previous BT customers above have any similar problem with the 0808 number? Any comments appreciated.

Connected to BT at the moment (On a rare occasion when I'm at home and next to a BT line!) and getting 46.6 kbps :)

CM

AOL

Generally a very good and seemingly professional service.

Just a word on NTL world. I called them up last week to sign up for the service however they have suspended any new registrations for the time being. I think it's been oversubscribed. At the moment, I am with World Online and pay £5.99 for 50 hours (unmetered phone calls), or you can pay £9.99 for 100 hours unmetered and £14.99 for unlimited access 24/7. You can register online at www.worldonline.co.uk/products/

They also have ASDL connections at £39.99. So far, I havent had any problems connecting and have been getting a connection on the first try all the time.

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"Jerry, just remember, it's NOT a LIE if YOU believe it." - George Costanza

For more info you might like to have a look at these two sites:

ISP Review

and

ISP Listings

Lapsus linguae
I had the same problem with my laptop. What I did, which resolved the problem, was I went into My Computer/Dial-Up Networking. I found that there were 2 dialers for BTinternet - one with the old number (which worked fine at 44k) and one with the new number which worked at 14.4k. Once I deleted the 'dialer' which contained the old number - bingo! everything works normal again at 44k. I'm no computer buff and I don't see why it should make a difference - but it worked for me! :)

I'm with NTL, supplier of my telephone line.

ZERO oncost for unlimited 56K connection any time, any day. I never have any trouble establishing a connection and I'm only disconnected after two hours online. There is no lock-out and immediate re-connection is no problem.

Why pay more? ;)

Beware of btinternet. It seems relatively slow and has hardly been working at all for the last 2 days.
The only bit that is reliable is the bill.

Try www.one-tel.co.uk . Free to join, 1p per minute at any time and cheap international calls as well. No idea of connection speeds but my mum's dials up real quick. Oh and 1p/min if you connect through a mobile phone/laptop as well. It just keeps getting better.

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Oh how the unemployed get to trawl websites!!