best internet provider??

[manitz]

any ideas? until now have used work/library/my mum as a bit of an addict and luddite. now unemployable dh has job at home and need pooter and internet. what is the best and most reliable/reasonalbe internet provider?

also any ideas on good pc laptops? not so worried aboutt this as think can work out.

We are thinking of virgin, god knows why, mainly cos cheap and can pay for phone and inernet for 20 pouns I think. but have heard good stuff about waitrose. however dh says only virgin provide cable and so don't share the delivery thing with others so get larger capacity - can't properly explain this but i hope that makes sense.

ta

[EvelynsDad]

Virgin are cheap and quite reliable, but utterly crap when things go wrong.

Look at this site for comparisons and ratings.

[WowOoo]

Think 02 have an offer if you have a phone contract with them. We;ve just changed to them.

[PixelHerder]

Don't be tempted by Orange either, their customer service is really really appalling.

I was offline for about 6 weeks once and they completely denied week after week that it was anything to do with them (kept blaming BT). Eventually they admitted it was their technical problem, and even then were very difficult about giving me the MAC code to go elsewhere, even though I was STILL offline.

I'm with BT now - they don't have a great reputation for customer service either, but I went on the basis that at least they couldn't blame anyone else if things went wrong.

[GeekBoy]

SKY!

[PrincessPeaHead]

I'm on zeninternet
not the cheapest but in 8 years of using them I haven't had a second of a problem. actually I did have about 30 seconds of a problem once but one phone call resolved that in about 10 secs . I get broadband and they host my domain as well.

I love zen.

[JeremyVile]

NOT AOL.

I dont know which is a good one trhough as I have always been with AOL

[Fridayfeeling]

Bit biased - but Sky too. So long as you are in an urban area will get their own product ( not BT ) and it really is great value - i.e. you will get the TV and phone for the same as most for just broadband.

[manitz]

well thanks. that's helped seems there is a very strong no to virgin which I was favouring. how about the waitrose one? will look at that site evelyns dad thanks.

[K20]

Virgin deliver highest speeds - I had them for 7 years with no issues. I was very happy.

I've just moved house and left Virgin for SKY

....but live in rural area so have restricted max download speed with whoever I choose. If I had underground cabling I would opt for Virgin again.

You will find everyone has a different opinion it depends if you want cheapest price or best speed or just broadband or combination of broadband + TV + Phone.

The contention radio is worth checking with all non cable providers as it can be higher than you imagine and they always quote best speeds when advertising. Weekends and Evenings are often slower because usage is heavier.

[K20]

this discussion is a little like asking which colour cars go fastest !

[RubberDuck]

We use Nildram and have done for years. Never had any problems with them and they have really good customer service and good contention ratios (think they aim themselves more at the small business market).

Bit pricier, but then I see so many other people have issues with their broadband and I'm glad we've got it.