Anyone here used AOL broadband?
Discussion
I ask, as i've just received a letter informing me that, after 4 years of waiting, broadband is finally available in the sleepy Wiltshire village that I call home. It seems pretty cheap too;
256kbps £19.99
512kbps £24.99
1mbps £29.99
Now I'm obviously interested in the 1mb per second route, but I have three questions:
a)Is it really that fast, or is it just like having a 56k modem - e.g it may claim 56kbps, but you never actually attain those speeds.
b)What's the service like from AOL Broadband? Im currently using their dialup service and it seems to work OK.
c)Are there any other Broadband providers that are better, either for value or service?
Many thanks in advance.
Dave
256kbps £19.99
512kbps £24.99
1mbps £29.99
Now I'm obviously interested in the 1mb per second route, but I have three questions:
a)Is it really that fast, or is it just like having a 56k modem - e.g it may claim 56kbps, but you never actually attain those speeds.
b)What's the service like from AOL Broadband? Im currently using their dialup service and it seems to work OK.
c)Are there any other Broadband providers that are better, either for value or service?
Many thanks in advance.
Dave
AOL is Satan with webservers, run away! Don't install their stuff on your PC if you want to do anything mad, like use the thing.
Also, 256k 'broadband' isn't worth having, If I remember right it's actually an advanced version of dialup, called midband, that lets you use the phone at the same time.
Also, 256k 'broadband' isn't worth having, If I remember right it's actually an advanced version of dialup, called midband, that lets you use the phone at the same time.
Give Jon Evans at Devision a call - see www.devision.co.uk
He is local (Calne) and specialises in broadband connectivity. He will give you a straight answer with no bullshit.
Tell him James sent you!
He is local (Calne) and specialises in broadband connectivity. He will give you a straight answer with no bullshit.
Tell him James sent you!
miniman said:
Give Jon Evans at Devision a call - see www.devision.co.uk
He is local (Calne) and specialises in broadband connectivity. He will give you a straight answer with no bullshit.
Tell him James sent you!
Thanks James. Ill check his website out.
Mad Dave said:
a)Is it really that fast, or is it just like having a 56k modem - e.g it may claim 56kbps, but you never actually attain those speeds.
You are much more likely to get the advertised download speeds when compared to dialup. But you'll notice ISP's will always use the word *upto* when talking about downloads.
The way I look at it is it's a whole lot better than anything else I can get
Mad Dave said:
b)What's the service like from AOL Broadband? Im currently using their dialup service and it seems to work OK.
If your currently using AOL and happy with the service I probably wouldn't change. AOL is great for people who just like there computers to work and don't care how it works.
Mad Dave said:
c)Are there any other Broadband providers that are better, either for value or service?
There are alot of ISP's out there. Without a doubt you could probably find someone cheaper. I am sure lots of suggestions will follow. I can't comment, my broadband is paid for by work.
markda said:
a)Is it really that fast, or is it just like having a 56k modem - e.g it may claim 56kbps, but you never actually attain those speeds.
You are much more likely to get the advertised download speeds when compared to dialup. But you'll notice ISP's will always use the word *upto* when talking about downloads.
The way I look at it is it's a whole lot better than anything else I can get
Mad Dave said:
b)What's the service like from AOL Broadband? Im currently using their dialup service and it seems to work OK.
If your currently using AOL and happy with the service I probably wouldn't change. AOL is great for people who just like there computers to work and don't care how it works.
Mad Dave said:
c)Are there any other Broadband providers that are better, either for value or service?
There are alot of ISP's out there. Without a doubt you could probably find someone cheaper. I am sure lots of suggestions will follow. I can't comment, my broadband is paid for by work.
Thanks Markda - I don't LIKE AOL, but it always seems to work OK and I rarely get dropped connections. Its not the fastest connection in the world though.
As everyone else has already mentioned, there bundled software does invade your PC somewhat. But unless you re-install the OS the damage has already been done
Personally I wouldn't use any ISP that required me to install my connection settings from a CD they supply! But I am a bit of a geek
when it comes to computers. Most users couldn't care less 
Personally I wouldn't use any ISP that required me to install my connection settings from a CD they supply! But I am a bit of a geek
when it comes to computers. Most users couldn't care less I'm on 2meg with www.plus.net
Very good, extremely reasonable and are always there to answer the phone if you get in a pickle.
Very good, extremely reasonable and are always there to answer the phone if you get in a pickle.
BT Broadband have just cut their prices.
1Mb with the BT Yahoo option is £29.99, the same price as the old 512k connection.
I've absolutely no complaints. I had to have a new phone line put in after years of TeleLost/Blue Wonder.
I had a new line from the trunk put in, cabling routed into my loft and down the back of the house, ADSL phone socket and a line test all free of charge. Took them 4 hours.
As for the internet connectivity, it's only been down once in year when a lightening strike hit the exchange.
If you upgrade from the old BT 512K service, you keep the modem i.e. it's yours free of charge.
1Mb with the BT Yahoo option is £29.99, the same price as the old 512k connection.
I've absolutely no complaints. I had to have a new phone line put in after years of TeleLost/Blue Wonder.
I had a new line from the trunk put in, cabling routed into my loft and down the back of the house, ADSL phone socket and a line test all free of charge. Took them 4 hours.
As for the internet connectivity, it's only been down once in year when a lightening strike hit the exchange.
If you upgrade from the old BT 512K service, you keep the modem i.e. it's yours free of charge.
Mad,
I've been with Eclipse:
www.eclipse.net.uk/
for well over a year now and have been nothing but impressed by the quality of their service (speed, customer service, billing, EVERYTHING!)
I spent plenty of time on this site:
www.adslguide.org.uk/isps/compare.asp
before taking the plunge and they consistently came out at the top for speed and customer service, month on month.
If you really want 1MB, they do that as well, but I use the standard 512MB and download large files frequently, its plenty fast enough mate.
I've been in I.T doing both software testing and hardware (many, many broadband installs) for many a year and take it from me (and the rest above) DO NOT GO WITH AOL!!!
I've been with Eclipse:
www.eclipse.net.uk/
for well over a year now and have been nothing but impressed by the quality of their service (speed, customer service, billing, EVERYTHING!)
I spent plenty of time on this site:
www.adslguide.org.uk/isps/compare.asp
before taking the plunge and they consistently came out at the top for speed and customer service, month on month.
If you really want 1MB, they do that as well, but I use the standard 512MB and download large files frequently, its plenty fast enough mate.
I've been in I.T doing both software testing and hardware (many, many broadband installs) for many a year and take it from me (and the rest above) DO NOT GO WITH AOL!!!
My broadband connection is with AOL, and I have no complaints. They were also reduced the price of their 1mb connection to £29.99 a month however did it some weeks before BT.
Quite simply AOL does what it says on the tin, their dedicated Broadband support is available on a freephone number, however they also have a broadband message board where ther users will give you all the help needed to iron out any problems.
Its amazing how many people criticise AOl yet have never tried it, and its equally amazing how many people leave AOl stating that its crap, go elsewhere and slink back when they find other providers are even worse.
You might like to have a look on the Broadband message boards with can be found via AOL keyword: Message Boards and look under technology.
You'll see a few complaints about Broadband but remember that AOL has hundreds of thousands of members on Broadband and a few are always going to be unhappy.
Oh and don;t forget that depending whuy you want Broadband AOL have some excellent Broadband content!
Quite simply AOL does what it says on the tin, their dedicated Broadband support is available on a freephone number, however they also have a broadband message board where ther users will give you all the help needed to iron out any problems.
Its amazing how many people criticise AOl yet have never tried it, and its equally amazing how many people leave AOl stating that its crap, go elsewhere and slink back when they find other providers are even worse.
You might like to have a look on the Broadband message boards with can be found via AOL keyword: Message Boards and look under technology.
You'll see a few complaints about Broadband but remember that AOL has hundreds of thousands of members on Broadband and a few are always going to be unhappy.
Oh and don;t forget that depending whuy you want Broadband AOL have some excellent Broadband content!
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