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Unable to stream audio

Greenman99 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:56:15 GMT

I'm on Virgin Media 2MBps (the cheapest M speed, little choice of provider as cable already installed in my rented flat). Apart from other problems with it, I find if I try to stream audio, it starts, then stops after a few seconds as if it's buffering, but then never restarts. My connection isn't fast, but I'd have thought it should be better than this. Is there anything I can do?

Broadband speed help

Happy Manc — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:16:35 GMT

About four years ago I signed up to AOL Broadband, which was run through a fibre-optic cable. However, as I was paying £25 a month for a 1mbps connection, I figured I'd asked them to upgrade my account, which they did to 8mps via my BT line. Now, however, I seem to be getting connections of anywhere in between 152kbps and 312kbps. I have done tests on my line and discovered that the maximum my BT line will allow is 1.5mbps.

Understandably, I'm a bit miffed at this, because not only is my connection treacle slow, but it often disconnects. Hell, my upload speed peaks at 317Kbps, which surely can't be right, can it?

Can anyone recommend any better Broadband providers, as obviously I've just about had it with AOL? If I move to Virgin Media I assume I'll be able to run that through the fibre optic cable I already have running into the house, but will this guarantee me better speeds (the PR bumf I've heard from Virgin in that with cable it doesn't matter how far away from the exchange you are because you're not sharing the line, which I'm dubious about)?

Surely I must be able to find Broadband out there that will offer speeds faster than the ones I'm getting? I'm not exactly out in the sticks where I am, so it can't be that hard to get a decent connection can it?

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Madasafish seems good -Save up to £15 too!

2gees0 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:44:07 GMT

We signed up to madasafish Bband MAX & Talk Anytime a few months ago. A few hiccups at first on an older PC, none on a newer model.

Has saved us ££££££££££s in landline phone calls & cheap to call abroad too. B band has worked consistently - our first experience so little to compare it to speed wise - we're at the end of a long line too.
overall satisfaction? 9/10.

Feel free to use my referral code 4352394 on sign up to save yourself £10 on Bband & £5 on talk.

Looking for a new provider

enner100 — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 20:04:23 GMT

After reading some of the posts I am a bit confused as to whom to move my broadband to. I am currently with Pipex. I hate they way they are now bandwith throttling on p2p. I am not constant/heavy downloader so I object to having my p2p capped at 20K a second. I also don't like the way they don't pass on savings to customers. New customers can get an up to 8 meg connection for £24.99 a month. I pay £33.99 a month for a 2 meg connection.

Is there an ISP left that does not do bandwith throttling, traffic shaping, port blocking etc and also offer unlimited download usage? I am looking to pay up to £40 a month. I am sure people will wonder why I want unlimited download when I am not heavy downloader. I simply object to having limits placed on me.

If I do have to go with a provider that has download limits which is the best? Again although I am accepting download limits I still don't want any sort of bandwith throttling, traffic shaping, port blocking.

Basically I want to be able to enjoy the speed I pay for.

Anyone used or on Virgin Broadband

V3X — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 07:48:28 GMT

am currently debating on which broadband service to get, was thinking about getting Virgin broardband, is the service any good.

Virgin Broadband

dave.min — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 16:01:27 GMT

Hi,

Could anyone tell me how Virgin 8mb Broadband responds to a Netgear DG834 ADSL router please as i am thinking of migrating to them from my current isp with whom i keep getting disconnected from them (as i typed this i got disconnected yet again) they tell me different things to try or is wrong each time i ring them. As you can image i am abit annoyed at this as the isp i was with before this one i never had this problem.

Any info on this would be welcomed.

Thanks,
dave.min

Getting MAC from Pipex

Wildknight — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 04:01:24 GMT

Big hi from the newbie!

Ok, so I have decided to drop Pipex as the service has just got worse and worse. I am going with O2 broadband and ordered it last night and all I need to supply them now is the MAC from Pipex.

I rang Pipex this morning and after trying to keep me as a customer they finaly gave in and said I will get my MAC by email in..... THE NEXT 5 WORKING DAYS!!!

The most I have waited in the past is 48 hours and I thought that was a long time! Is this normal or are they just taking the p**s out of me?

Overpriced Broadband?

stigs — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 10:33:55 GMT

Just read this report about broadband in the UK. It goes in line with the issue some people have had getting stuck into their broadband contracts.

The difference between the costliest and best value broadband packages can be as much as £456 per year.

Some advice from the article said:

There are two main areas where consumers should be looking to save money: Firstly, they should ensure that they are only paying for the connection speed that they need, as this can save them up to £180 per year; and secondly that they are with the cheapest supplier for their chosen connection."

http://www.myfinances.co.uk/household/it-telephony/phones-broadband/overpriced-broadband-costing-brits-40m-$15136689.htm

Testing your broadband speed

tristanv — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:38:08 GMT

If you're looking to see how your broadband connection speed rates against your Facebook friends and compare results with broadband users from around the world, try the following application that a few of my friends have been working on:

http://apps.facebook.com/speedchallenge/

If you've got any feedback (good or bad) please let us know.

Thanks,
Tristan

First Internet Provider

raven — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 15:27:12 GMT

who was your first internet supplier?

I remember having the BT 56 k modem for a long time. I remember when we first had it thinking wow this is so fast, now i see 20 mb connections and think wow things have changed.

Who was your first provider and was it 56k?

Need Help Deciding

lord_crumb — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 08:59:00 GMT

I am not rich. My parents are not going to give me any money to help me when I move. Since it is costing me money to move, what is my cheapest option to get internet access when I first move? Even if it is only for a month until I have more money. What is the minimum I can spend? I do not need it to be fast right away.

Thoughts on Orange Broadband please

carnaige — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 08:11:11 GMT

Well I've read some bad reports on here, as highlighted in the reviews section: http://www.broadband-help.com/providers/reviews/26

However elsewhere I've been reading that their service is actually pretty good.

I've been with Pipex for 2 years but have jsut signed up for an orange pay monthly mobile and can get unlimited for £5 per month, as well as the free livebox wireless thing and free landline calls.

Is anyone else with orange? How do you find the service and all round quality.

Cheers for any assistance.

Matt

1 B/B account, 2 connections??

Chris Dancer — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 07:25:46 GMT

I'm looking to change my B/B provider from Biscit to a company who are prepared to communicate with me.
I want a basic small business account, but I work in 2 locations, at home and at my workshop, and I want a broadband connection in each. BT looked good, until I found out that I would have to set up 2 separate accounts, which would mean I'm paying for web space, mailboxes, tech support, etc. that I am not using.
Does anyone know if there are any providers who charge a reduced rate for a second connection?

Chris

Yahoo Messenger

mfcjohn — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 07:00:29 GMT

Hi all
hope this is in the right section . I cant log on to yahoo messenger I have tried all settings and various ways that have been suggested to me , someone pointed out that it could be a firewall or proxy issue , or talktalk related anyone had this problem , any suggestions I would be grateful . thankyou very much in advance

Helping out the parents

ste6t9 — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:27:09 GMT

Hi all - hope you can help me out.

We've just got my parents a pretty bog standard PC and at the moment they're on Virgin Dial-up but as we want to send pics and use Webcam chatting with them (once we've taught them how) I reckon they need broadband. (It can't load any webcam pics cos its so slow)

I'm trying to keep the costs down for them as much as possible. I have an old ADSL modem (speedtouch 330) from before I got an ADSL Router.

Can I use this and just sign them up or is it better to let them get the whole package themselves and if so - which provider????? (I know this is a lot of questions but any help would be appreciated)

True PAYG providers?

howartp — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 18:00:39 GMT

Hi.

I'm looking for a true Pay As You Go Broadband ISP. The only one i've found so far is Lixxus (http://www.lixxus.co.uk) - does anyone know of any others?

By 'true' PAYG, I mean you pay at the end of the month for what you have used, rather than paying £15 at the beginning of the month when you will only use £5 (for instance).

I'm wanting to get it installed at my Church, so I can transfer files to and from home rather than having to drive up there (10 minutes) just to get a file. Some of the files are rather large, and I need to connect from home, so dial-up won't work.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Peter

Sky to Offer Legal Movie Downloads

Stitch — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 10:30:52 GMT

They will be offering two new services called "Sky By Broadband" and Sky By Mobile.

You will be able to watch blockbuster movies, Premiership matches and more on your pc or mobile phone. Apparently they are going to offer over 200 movies to begin. The Sky By Broadband service requires that you subscribe to their Sky Digital service.

Broadband for movie buffs and gamers

Gaurav — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 01:39:58 GMT

Hi

Allow me to intoduce myself. I am gaurav and as a part of my research project (for my university) I am studying UK broadband market.

As a part of this research prject, I wanted advise on kind on broadband packages that would interest movie buffs, online gamers, photographers.

Additionally, may ISPs are trying to offer content as a part of their broadband offering. Do see this as being successful and at what customer segments is it targetted.

Thanks and Regards
Gaurav

Broadband content

Sunaina — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 23:55:13 GMT

Hi there,

Im a student at The University of Strathclyde and im studying the importance of content offered as part of broadband packages in the UK.

So let me know; if you are a music fanatic, photographer, movie buff or gaming freak, what type of content would you want your broadband provider to offer you? In addition, to fast speeds and high bandwidth

Look forward to your views

biscit offering free days out

yohoho — Wed, 24 May 2006 01:24:07 GMT

I got a letter from my ISP biscit this morining - they have a refer a friend scheme launched.

If I get friends to sign up to biscit, we call get a voucher for a day of extreme sports (or a day in a health spa, but who wants that!!).From what I can remember on the letter, there was speedboating, motorcross, kitesurfing and diving - but I know there was others.

Thanks to my boss being away today, I have been calling all my mates!

Sattelite Broadband Help

Omega55 — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 04:11:43 GMT

Hi,

Incase anybody has some idea about sattelite broadband kindly tell me how it works.Tell me it will work on my common personal computer or not?

Regards

Omega55

Broadband Help

Omega55 — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 04:10:07 GMT

Hi,

Incase anybody has some idea about sattelite broadband kindly tell me how it works. Is it works on common personal computer? Can we call it wireless broadband?

Regards

Omega55

ADSL Help

ste69 — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 23:33:21 GMT

Just starting out with an extra computer. I've bought a simple ADSL Router and leads and I'm trying to get it set up with my exisiting machine, ready for the addition of the new one. (when it comes)

It's going to be connected up as per this diagram:
http://www.sgibson.karoo.net/ethernet1.jpeg

However, the only difference is that I have been supplied with crossover cables to link the router to the 2 computers. Is this incorrect or does it not matter?

At the moment, I cannot get the exisiting computer to recognise an internet connection from the router (which is supposed to maintain it full time?)

The ADSL light is on steady however the setup instructions ask me to open an internet explorer window and type in 192.168.1.1. This results in nothing.

I have Encapsulation settings etc ready, but cannot access anything to enter them. If I have missed any vital information here, please let me know (sorry to sound like a bit of a no-brainer, but any help/advice would be appreciated)

Cheers in anticipation

Steve

Please help me

alphadelta — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 14:27:19 GMT

Hey folks!
My phone line is limited to 512kbps im currently on a 56 k dial up connection i want to connect a laptop and a p.c can you look here for a service im intrested http://www.virgin.net/internetaccess/broadband/planthree/?buspart=256
Do i go with the wireless option? do i need to buy a usb dongle or something will the wireless router connect to a phone line then laptop and then a usb adaptor on my pc? please advise me on what do to

Global point to point help

masonb — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 13:33:50 GMT

Hey folks.

I'm hoping someone can help me or point me in the right direction. I've got a customer with a Altigen phone system in Oklahoma USA with a remote VOIP phone in England. We are having trouble with the phone because it's route is going through so many different ISP's and the routes change to much throughout the day. I am investigating the possability of a point to point connection between the sites. Does anybody know of any providers that can help with this? Any help would be fantastic.

BT Fibre Optic Problems

Admin — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 08:48:33 GMT

The following was sent to us by email. Can anyone help?

Stuart D says:-
I have been trying to obtain broadband for a long time but but have been informed by BT that my telephone line is Fibre Optic and they have told me the following. "This was used tactically in certain areas to overcome some specific operational problems, involving capacity and line length to maintain a reliable telephone service. BT, In and effort to resolve this situation, until a long term solution for TPON customers is available, has a limited copper wire programme to overlay TPON with copper in area's which are technically and commercially viable for upgrade.In order for TPON orders to progress for review and possible conversion over to copper, changes to systems and progresses were completed in July 2003 and after completing and initial trial period are now in place"

Our village can now receive broadband but as our property has a fibre optic cable BT are telling me i cannot receive it. For ref, we have a new community centre on the back of our property which is broadband enabled.

Is there anything i can do or any other providers who will be able to supply broadband to me?

How do you talk

lord_crumb — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 10:59:25 GMT

I see people talking about these services like freetalk and sky and I am wondering how you actually talk on the phone over the internet. How do you hook your phone into the internet so you can talk to other people. I might want to try it out but am not sure how to hook up my phone.

Cable and Wireles may pull out of retail market

stigs — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 09:25:04 GMT

Cable and Wireless, owner of Bulldog, may be leaving the UK retail broadband market. They are afraid the marketplace is saturated and offers little room for growth.

"Several Sunday newspapers have reported that C&W is concerned that the UK broadband market may be approaching saturation point. If, as a result, it cannot continue to expand its user base, the company has little prospect of recouping the £18mn it paid for Bulldog and the £250mn it has subsequently invested."

I find that a bit of weird strategy. Certainly you may not recoup all of that investment, but if you shut down don't you gurantee you lose all of it?

Broadband Haves and Have Nots

raven — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 09:21:24 GMT

According to Point Topic, the 10 areas of highest broadband density are in London and the home counties. The 10 with the lowest density are in rural areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, along with West Somerset which includes Exmoor.

So what do people think about this? Apparently the divide is growing more and more as the city-centric broadband population increases and the rural areas lag further and further behind.

ISPA Awards Finalists for 2006

Stitch — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 18:53:25 GMT

Is your ISP listed?

Best Dial-Up
=========
BISCit Internet
NTL
PlusNet
Tesco
Waitrose

Best Hosting Provider
================
Donhost
Entanet
FreeNetName
Keen Computers
UKFast

Best Portal
========
Blueyonder Broadband
Bulldog
Tesco
Tiscali
UK Online

Best Streaming Service
=================
Global-Mix
Groovy Gecko
Mydeo
RealNetworks
Streaming Wizard

Best Uncontended Service
====================
Affiniti
Blueyonder Broadband
Internap
mnet
Zen Internet

Best Light Business Broadband
=======================
Exa Networks
Kingston Communications
Lumison
Nildram
Zen

Best Light Consumer Broadband
========================
Entanet
Karoo
NTL
Tesco
UK Online

Best Heavy Business Broadband
========================
Demon
Lumison
mnet
PIPEX
Zen Internet

Best Heavy Consumer Broadband
=========================
BISCit Internet
Madasafish
NTL
Seriously Internet
Waitrose

Best Sumo Business Broadband
========================
Be Unlimited
Blueyonder Broadband
Kingston Communications
mnet

Best Sumo Consumer Broadband
========================
Be Unlimited
Blueyonder broadband
Karoo
UK Online

Best Business ISP
=============
Entanet
Exa Networks
PIPEX
UKFast
Zen Internet

Best Consumer ISP
==============
BISCit Internet
NTL
PIPEX
Tesco
Wanadoo

Longest you have ever stayed connected

Stitch — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 20:44:44 GMT

What is the longest time you have ever stayed connected online? I just had to reboot the other day but my connection had been up for 11 days, 23 hours and 15 minutes.

What is your favorite Internet Site?

missie — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 05:08:53 GMT

I like myspace.com What are some of your favorite sites out there? I am looking for good sites to hang out and meet other people.

Why Unlimited Access

raven — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 18:02:30 GMT

Why do you want unlimited access. One thing I notice is that people often avoid the limited measurement services in favor of unlimited ones, even if the limited plans provide them twice as much bandwidth as they will ever use.

So why do you prefer a unlimited plan over a pay-as-you-go or restricted plan, even if you fall into the parameters and it is cheaper? Is it because you think you may need more down the road?

NTL Trials 100mbps service

stigs — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 20:12:41 GMT

It looks like NTL will begin testing a 100 mbps service that will likely use the next generation standard for equipment, which is DOCSIS 3.0.

You can read more about it here:

http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer-world/news/2149728/ntl-trials-100mbit-links

Don't know what anyone would need 100mbps at home, but maybe some day it will make sense as we have streaming on-demand high-def to our house over broadband.

BT and Endemol Sign TV Deal

raven — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 09:26:37 GMT

BT has inked a deal with Endemol, the producers behind Big Brother, to a deal to provide new shows and content over BT's phone wires.

[quote]BT has signed a content deal with Endemol, the company behind Big Brother, to produce programming for its eagerly anticipated television service, dubbed BT TV. As part of the agreement, to be announced this week, Endemol will create programmes exclusively for BT designed to encourage viewers to sign up to the service.

BT has outlined ambitious plans to take on cable and satellite operators by launching a TV service in autumn of this year. BT customers will receive the service over its phone network. Trials are expected to begin in the spring.[/quote]

Sharing your Internet

raven — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 06:33:52 GMT

I have 4 people in my house, myself included, who want time on the internet. Circumstances have us limited to only having one pc right now.

We do have plans on getting a second workstation down the road, but for now we try to share. Is anyone else having to share their connection and access? I spend most of my PC time online, and fortunately can use it in the evenings a lot, when others are asleep are watching television.

If you have multiple users, how do you work it out? It is first-come-first-serve, unless it is needed for work, to pay bills or in the case of the children a known school project. Otherwise you can get on there, and use it for up to 1 hour, if someone else is waiting.

BBTV Plus

stigs — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 09:28:07 GMT

BBC is going to be making the Apprentice available on broadband. They are also going to make available special clips and interviews.

They say all of this is going to be available on the BBC Two Web Site.

I wonder what other shows they will offer in the future?

Mapping Not Spots

stigs — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 09:22:43 GMT

The Community Broadband Network is undertaking a project to determine all the spots where broadband access is not available.

Apparently 99% of the population has access to phone line broadband. A few pockets exist, though, where traditional methods are not able to deliver broadband. They will use this information to determine if alternative means exist to reach these people with broadband.

British Parliment Hacked By Russians

Stitch — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 10:18:39 GMT

Apparently they found out that the hacking attack on Parliment was done by russians. The same russians that sold the WMF windows exploit for a mere $4000.

MessageLabs, an email filtering provider for the government, said last month that targeted emails were sent to various individuals within government departments in an attempt to take control of their computers. The emails contained the exploit code.

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/windows/0,39020396,39250232,00.htm

Electrical Broadband

stigs — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 09:28:16 GMT

Seems like the new fad/trend is going to be electrical wiring broadband.

They are saying they will be able to offer 25mbps over your current home wiring.

That would be something to see. Imagine if all you needed to do to get broadband access would be to plug in a modem to the electrical outlet.

http://www.broadband-help.com/news/site/broadband-news/414