Slow wideband connection----- Out in the sticks----- Alternatives?

Chris Wilson · 20 May 2011 at 11:10

We are near the end of old aluminium wiring to the local exchange, and broadband speeds are appalling, and when the kids are off school, and between 4.00 PM and and about 10.30 PM I get regular dropped connections to the exchange due to to, I presume, overloading of the bandwidth. Download speeds are not too bad, upload speeds to my hosted server, YouTube and the like are pitiful. I have rung BT a couple of times, but they are like turbo re-conditioners, and whatever is wrong it's YOUR fault, not theirs

Are there any alternatives like satellite with upload as well as download ability? Anyone real world knowledge of anything, and real world costing?

Thanks.

SeeKified · 20 May 2011 at 12:33

How's your 3G coverage?

DJMK4 · 20 May 2011 at 12:48

SeeKified said:
How's your 3G coverage?

Assuming he is out in the sticks, I would say not brilliant

Could be wrong though?

Duke · 20 May 2011 at 13:19

Satellite is an option but can have costly set up fees for the equipment. It isn't any good for gaming but is fine for general use.

Chris Wilson · 20 May 2011 at 13:49

I don't use the PC for any games at all, so that's not an issue. I doubt we have good 3G coverage, normal mobile reception is pretty naff, I am dual roaming, O2 and Orange, neither of which are very reliable. Upload speed is what's the biggest bugbear. How good is that with satellite? Years ago when we looked into it you uploaded via the phone line and only had a download satellite link, but i am told this has now changed? Thanks.

3dcandy · 20 May 2011 at 15:08

you may struggle unless your exchange has plans for LLU/has LLU suppliers. Even then, I doubt that your upload would increase a great deal. Might be an idea to post your router stats and see if anybody has any further ideas...

Chris Wilson · 20 May 2011 at 15:38

I am afraid I wouldn't know how to post router stats. It's an oldish Netgear DG834 v2.

If it's straightforward I'll have a go, but would need telling how to do it, sorry

Zarf · 20 May 2011 at 16:39

To get your router stats, click this link --> http://192.168.0.1/setup.cgi?next_file=stattbl.htm
Default username = admin, password = password
Which ISP are you with? It might be worth changing to a premium one to get better service in the evenings. If you sign up to a service like Xilo's office packages, you get double the standard upload speeds and increased priority at the exchange.

A line bonding solution would be cheaper than going satellite if you're planning on putting a lot of traffic over the link, satellite connections have very restrictive usage limits.

You can get the new two way service from these guys - http://www.broadbandwherever.net/products/tooway.aspx, 10Mb down, 4Mb up - but it's £99 a month and you only get 25GB usage.

Duke · 20 May 2011 at 19:18

Chris Wilson said:
I don't use the PC for any games at all, so that's not an issue. I doubt we have good 3G coverage, normal mobile reception is pretty naff, I am dual roaming, O2 and Orange, neither of which are very reliable. Upload speed is what's the biggest bugbear. How good is that with satellite? Years ago when we looked into it you uploaded via the phone line and only had a download satellite link, but i am told this has now changed? Thanks.

http://www.avonlinebroadband.co.uk/packages_and_costs/ - example of one company but am sure there are others

The limit is quite low but at least it would be a consistent connection. I would only recommend it if you're connecting at a very slow speed over ADSL though, i.e 0.5mbit or something.