INTERNET - SERVICE PROVIDER

[spring]

We're all set to go on the Internet at home and wondered what package is the best value and reliable. We'll probably use it evenings and weekends, more than likely for an hour+ at a time so I don't think a pay as you go package would work out cheap. What are you all on? Any recommendations?

We're on AOL which is ok. Its unlimited access for £14.99 a month. A couple of months ago Which did a report on internet access so a trip to the library might be useful to check it out (if you don't subscribe obviously). We've heard bad reports of freeserve but then I suppose everyone has a horror story to tell. Good luck with searching through the minefield!

I'm on V21 which is just £9.99 a month and you can surf whenever you want. I looked at all the packages and this one came out tops.

LisaV - is that all (calls)included ? Do you have an easy time accessing ?
We're with VISPA (14.99 all included) but it is now harder to get on line. It use to be very easy but now I have to connect a few times before I get through. I get use to it but sometimes it annoys me.
DH tells me that most ISP have stopped their 14.99 package because they are too costly !

Like Selja we are on AOL and have been really plaesed with it. It seems to be quick, easy to use and value for money.

Those on AOL, do you know how to set filters on e-mail accounts, so that I can stop the offers for viagra and extensions for an organ I don't have?

ImogenW, there is a marker at the top, under Places, that says Parental Controls - which leads you onto various bits that you can set.

I have used that to alter the kids' settings, there are various categories within the age setting - my 8-yr-old was cross that he couldn't access Fox Kids (I think - or Cartoon Network) on his under-12 setting. It's hard though, I seem to remember, to get the right combination.

I have never had any viagra or pussy69 type emails on AOL though - I get the 69 ones on hotmail but not on AOL - I have no idea why not - maybe I should look at my settings!

Look under 'customise' then 'preferences'

Sorry that message was for ImogenW

I've been on Freeserve twice, once when they first started up and the service was pretty bad, then I rejoined last summer and it's been great since then.

Pupuce - that is for all calls at any time. I don't have any connection problems during the day, but at the evenings and weekends (peak times) I might have to try and connect a few times. I think it's worth it though if I save £5 a month.

I get loads of porn mail too, but on most email accounts they will have a junk mail filter, so you type in various words such as 'sex' and 'debt management' and if any email comes in that contains those words, it will be sent straight to your junk mail box. Funny though that if you have an email account that doesn't have a name, such as [email protected] or something, you don't get any junk mail. They only target accounts that have names.

AOL are planning on putting up their charges. We had a market research call from them asking (amongst a million other Q.'s) whether we would pay 17.99.

I'm on NTL world, and I think it's fab. We paid £10 for a plug in adapter and then as long as we make more than £15 of non-internet calls a month on our normal phone (no number change or anything) we get free access 24 hrs a day! We pay BT line rental of about £9 per month which is our usual BT amount and all our phone calls go via NTL. I think we save about £30 a month as call prices with NTL seems to be much cheaper than BT. I have had the odd problem, but maybe needed the helpline twice in 18 months, and have never had much problem with access.

I would get the AOL free 100 hours offer to start with and then switch!

Thank you so much for all your replies. I used to look into Mumsnet at least 4-6 times per day (during a lull in my PC work) but things in my job have changed drastically (NWB/RBoS takeover - RBoS the baddies in my scenario - well bad) and I'm just waiting until a certain date on the calendar and I'm resigning (I was pregnant in Oct/Nov but it sadly ended so I've re-thunk my next 5 year life plan - yet again). Anyway, I'm now sitting with a load of witches who don't have the privilege of Internet access I was afforded with my role when I sat in my own office so I don't log onto Mumsnet as often or for as long as I would like. Now we're connected to the Internet at home (we've been having an extension built on our house since Oct so we're quite pally with all the builders and someone has wired in a phone socket into the room where the PC is and my dh has just popped to Asda to get hold of a free trial AOL CD - cheap or what??!!??). Sorry for the long note but I've just been DYING to log on without worrying who is sidling up behind me to see what I'm doing (and they're all paranoid it's about what's going on at work too - if only they knew....)

AOL are presently offering existing users £30 to introduce a friend, payable once the friend has used service for 2 months. User has to give friend a special junk-mail pack with unique password that has been sent out this month.

Get a friend to introduce you and to donate the cash to you! I think you get the 1st month free anyhow andthis would pay for next 2 months online. Just a thought...!