New Here

[Alex]

I am currently looking for a new ISP after being given my MAC code from Pipex (what a nightmare), and being passed this web address by 'maxping'.
I have a few questions...

1) What do you all think of the overall service (performance, reliability, customer services, technical support, etc)?

2) My line can achieve a throughput of 6500k, what connection would you recommend to suit the lowest ping possible for online gaming?

3) Any restrictions or hidden facts i don't know about?

4) Along with IDNet, I was also considering 'DST' and 'Namesco', anyone got any information on these i should know about?

5) I live in Brightlingsea, Colchester. Anyone else here from around there? If so what connection speeds are you getting even during peak times such as 5pm+?

6) I heard IDNet have ordered more capacity in order to suit their online gamers.  When will this take effect?


Any help would be appreciated, Thanks.

[AvengerUK]

Hello!

Welcome to the forums 

1) Its simply great! Performance is good, reliability brillient, customer services/tech support is second to none!
2) Ping isnt affected by speed / fixed or max (unless interleaving is enabled - which you can get turned off) - 512k and upwards it remains the same
3) er, nope
4) Dont know who DST are...Namesco seem to be having issues with pings at the moment, so not a great idea for a gamer!

[Nerval]

Hello Alex

also:
5) Not me.  But there are so many variables anyway that you couldn't bank on having the same performance as your next door neighbour.

6) The capacity isn't just for gamers - IDNet had a flood of people in from the likes of Plusnet as more of the larger ISPs started traffic "shaping" in earnest.  And there seems to be a 3 month lead time, so it is planned for installation this month.
I assume that means the end of the month - don't have a date.
But there's not really much impact of the capacity shortfall that I can see - a bit around 10pm I hear, but that's it.

[Rik]

Hi Alex

Welcome to the forums. Basically, it's a case of what Avenger and Nerval have already told you. I'd just add the following thoughts:

2) As Avenger has said, for best pings, you need interleaving off. It's worth noting, though, that this may produce an unstable line which will be resolved by increasing your target noise margin until stability is achieved. In turn, that will lower your sync speed and profile.

3) The only restrictions are legal ones, read the AUP here

5) Amplifying what Nerv says, being in Milton Keynes we have a poor infrastructure - lots of aluminium. I have 54db attenuation and manage a 3000kbps profile. My next door neighbour, otoh, has 62db attenuation on a fixed-rate 512k service, the differences really can be that dramatic.

6) IDNet regularly increase their capacity in order that they can keep the service up to their professed standards (from the website) "IDNet provide high-performance broadband services for home and business users, with excellent reliability, no network contention, no port blocking, no traffic shaping and no bandwidth throttling, enabling super-fast always-on Internet access for a flat monthly fee using your existing telephone line."

As Nerv has said, their planning was caught out at the end of last year by an influx of people from other ISPs, so there has been a slight delay in getting the capacity, due to BT's three-month lead time, but all should be well again by the end of the month.

[Lance]

5) I live in Brightlingsea, Colchester. Anyone else here from around there? If so what connection speeds are you getting even during peak times such as 5pm+?

I live in Highwoods, Colchester but because my line is quite poor i only sync around 4000k. This sync rate is purely down to my individual line distance and quality. I have not had any problems at all from IDnet and get quite good pings ~15 to 20ms.

The one thing i don't think has been said is that CS is only open during office hours but it's unlikely you'll ever need them! I've only ever called them once and that was to get interleaving turned off for my line.

[Inactive]

Just to add;

I have never spoken to anyone at IDNet, just connected as promised, my speeds went up dramatically from Plusnet ( puke )..and they aint dropped since.

[Rik]

One thing I would add about CS hours. When I migrated, BT screwed up, and I didn't get in until the morning after I should have done. I had an email from Simon at 4:34am, checking whether I was able to logon yet, and then a phone call just after 9, when my connection went live. So, although formal support hours are limited, people do put themselves out to resolve issues at other times, and there is, I believe, an emergency number - though I've never needed it.

[Alex]

Thanks alot everyone for your input. It's made my mind up, i will ring up IDNet now and get broadband going with them.

However could you explain what a 'target noise margin' is please? And how i would increase this encase of any instability issues?

[Rik]

The target noise margin, set by BT, starts at 6db . If your line doesn't achieve a stable connection, then BT's management software will increase it in 3db increments until your line is stable. If you find that it is still not stable enough for you, you can ask IDNet to get BT to increase it further.

In fixed-rate ADSL, the noise margin would, generally, be much higher, due to BT's rules on what speed you could have for a given attenuation. The principle with Max is that the management software will let your line run as fast as it can, providing it remains stable. The 6db figure provides reasonable stability on most lines, but it depends on a raft of issues, eg noise pickup inside your house, long spans of overhead lines picking up MW signals etc.

[Nerval]

Thanks alot everyone for your input. It's made my mind up,

Pity we're not on commission 
But then of course you wouldn't be able to believe us!

Good decision Alex, and keep visiting the forum.

[RJM]

Welcome to the club Alex.

[Rik]

I didn't know he was in the club! 

[Alex]

  Thanks.

I opted for the Home Max package.
The activation date is set for 8th Feb, so hopefully everything with the MAC from Pipex, and connection will go ok.

I've been told theres only about 8 other people registered with IDNet within this town, and i live about 500 meters from the exchange so fingers crossed.

[Lance]

Congrats Alex - its a decision you won't regret!

8th Feb is nice and quick too! I wish i lived as close to the exchange as you! My help my sync a little!

I'm one other the 8 (assuming they are looking at colchester and not individual exchanges) so come on the other 7 - identify yourselfs!

[stevelondon]

Hi and welcome Alex good choice hope your migration in goes ok 

[Alex]

hehe i think it was for the CO7 post code, so there may be quite a few more round your area. Used to visit Highwoods quite a lot, as my sister had a flat there almost opposite Tesco (off the subject but true non-the-less).

Thanks again all, there's so many ISPs now that can't be trusted hence my skepticism.

[Inactive]

Thanks again all, there's so many ISPs now that can't be trusted hence my skepticism.

You aint wrong.. 

[Rik]

off the subject but true non-the-less

We specialise in off-topic round here, Alex, you'll fit right in. 

[maxping]

Hi Alex i saw your post in the "thread for alexm85" i posted yesterday in idnatter, i told you they were a helpful bunch here , welcome to the forums and hope everything goes smoothly 

[Alex]

Yeah you were right, cheers for that maxping.

[Lance]

Used to visit Highwoods quite a lot, as my sister had a flat there almost opposite Tesco (off the subject but true non-the-less).

Thats just round the corner from me!