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We want to change our provider from Sky which works OK unless you're on-line between 5pm and 8pm. Also I hate being a Murdoch drone.

We've looked at the others but as usual it's like a minefield out there. Anyone had good experiences with anyone that they can suggest?

Virgin Media, Its the only one ive ever used, and its "always on", so no connecting once the computer starts up, and speeds always seem great for me

Whoever you call its best to find out if your local exchange as been upgraded.
It also makes a differance how far away you are from the exchange belive it or not.

I didnt think it made a differance as I thought broadband is the bollocks and you dont have these issues.
But it does matter.

All of the factors I listed above mean I cant get anything above 2 meg speed where I live.
and when I have called people like bt and asked them about getting there 20 meg speed they have done a line check and tell me they cant supply.
When I say well thats false advertising they usualy hang up!!

Check to see who has operator prescence here by inputting your postcode:

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php

Then you will be able to see who can provide you ADSL2+ (if available) and who has their own equipment at the exchange. If you are currently with Sky then I would take it the other main companies will have presence at the exchange.

Operator presence at an exchange shows potential ADSL2+ availability as some providers used adsl2+ even if BT hasn't upgraded the exchange. This is your best chance of getting the fastest speed possible.

Virgin Media I would not reccomend as they will throttle you big time upto 75% at peak times due to the amount of uploading and downloading you will do. It is clearly stated on their website terms and conditions.

As to who to go with I would have to say O2. If they have operator presence they will use adsl2+, have very competitive pricing and if you are an O2 customer you can get discounts too. Very good at giving what they say they will and they have excellent consumer scores. Only problem I had with them is that i don't like their O2 wireless box router they provided me with, but then I use my own router so no problems there. I also believe if you take the premium package you will have a greater upload speed.

Hope this helps Jimslip.

p.s. To Nob3y I understand you believe it to be misselling but all providers will state UP TO the advertised speed and subject to availability. No provider out there will guarantee any speed for anyone and the speed available is mainly affected by wiring and distance from the exchange. ADSL2+ although beneficial will only really be noticeable as to speed increases if you live quite close to the exchange.

Only Virgin will not be affected by distance from the exchange due to them using fibre optic cabling but if you use your broadand for anything other than browsing they will throttle you up to 75% at peak times if you exceed their fair usage policy which is not particularly high. And again Virgin cable is not available in all areas.

Hope that helps you too Nobey.

Hiya, we have just changed from Virgin (not cable but down the BT line) and they were shit, always loosing connection.

we have changed to O2 and they are much faster and havent lost connections at all, they also have LLU which im told is the way to do now.

we just did a search on broadband providers reviews.

hope this helps
Melodyx

Thanks everyone for all your help!

If your can get cable nothing will touch Virgin!

Rednose