High pings again

[Rik]

Not to mention that things change in the longer term.

[Dopamine]

Still having occasional ping and browsing problems here and have just received an emailed update from support:

At times there may be a brief period where one of the VPs on the network gets busy. We are still working on optimising the traffic to eliminate such issues. Please bear with us at this time.

Very refreshing. A straightforward explanation without excuses or blame, or the "change your router/PC/phone socket/underpants" that we all dread. So long as the "bear with us" period doesn't extend to weeks or months, I'll be happy to.

[juiceuk]

No gaming again! I need reminding why I pay so much for this. I know it can't be perfect all the time but this has been on off for a long time now.

C:\Users\Administrator>ping www.idnet.net -n 20

Pinging www.idnet.net [212.69.36.10] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=165ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=114ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=167ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=140ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=125ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=175ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=142ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=127ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=136ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=97ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=107ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=158ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=154ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=170ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=157ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=155ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=135ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=122ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=154ms TTL=59
Reply from 212.69.36.10: bytes=32 time=142ms TTL=59

Ping statistics for 212.69.36.10:
    Packets: Sent = 20, Received = 20, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 97ms, Maximum = 175ms, Average = 142ms

[Simon]

Sorry to be repetetive, but all we cab advise is to follow the advice in the sticky and send the results to IDNet.  Ultimately, a migration might be your only answer.

[Tacitus]

Not to mention that things change in the longer term.

Too true Rik.  I've noticed on TB that Zen seem to be falling off their pedestal judging by the recent numbers of throwing toys out of pram type posts. 

Not always the most reliable indicator, but perhaps a straw in the wind.

[Rik]

I would no longer short-list Zen, Tac, as I've heard they plan to implement 'compulsory' WBC when they launch the product. Given that we understand there's no way back once you're connected to an MSAN, that's not good news.

[Tacitus]

I would no longer short-list Zen, Tac, as I've heard they plan to implement 'compulsory' WBC when they launch the product. Given that we understand there's no way back once you're connected to an MSAN, that's not good news.

Demon are doing the same 'compulsory' WBC trick and, I suspect are moving a lot of their stuff to C&W's network to add a further level of complication.

Then when it all goes wrong you have to deal with Bangalore, who are usually kept in the dark by Finchley Road about anything that's going on.  Those who are moaning about iDNet, or for that matter, Zen, don't know they're born.   

[Rik]

I take your point. Despite all that's gone wrong, at least we are not having to deal with script jockeys.

[Tacitus]

I take your point. Despite all that's gone wrong, at least we are not having to deal with script jockeys.

Trouble is Rik, if you're stuck with the BT resellers and rule out the 'pile it high sell it cheap' brigade, you're not exactly overwhelmed with good quality ISPs to choose from.   

[Gary]

I take your point. Despite all that's gone wrong, at least we are not having to deal with script jockeys.

Weren't they Hackers? 

[Rik]

Trouble is Rik, if you're stuck with the BT resellers and rule out the 'pile it high sell it cheap' brigade, you're not exactly overwhelmed with good quality ISPs to choose from.   

You're not, Tac, and my concern is that both Zen and IDNet's reputations seems to have taken a bit of a knock lately. That reduces my list to a couple, I think.

[Gary]

You're not, Tac, and my concern is that both Zen and IDNet's reputations seems to have taken a bit of a knock lately. That reduces my list to a couple, I think.

I would look at Aquiss, newnet or AAISP the later being way to expensive though, not much choice when you are a BT only exchange, and I'm not sure about Entanet resellers  looks like I will be here a while

[Tacitus]

You're not, Tac, and my concern is that both Zen and IDNet's reputations seems to have taken a bit of a knock lately. That reduces my list to a couple, I think.

Without wanting to derail this thread, I'll just say that I think Zen are being forced by the exigencies of business (and possibly a large mortgage on their palatial HQ) to shed their cuddly image and become more hard nosed and businesslike.  iDNet just seem to be overwhelmed by current events. 

In addition, to my mind iDNet is in its 'teenage' years, which are the real testing time for any company - can the business stand on its own feet with the founder(s) adopting a guiding role or does he/they become the controlling parent that can't let the kids go.  Zen and NewNet which were founded around the same time as iDNet seem to have made it through so far, so I hope iDNet's merry band manage as well.

Looks like AAISP and NewNet - not sure about Aquiss - are the only alternatives for BT resellers.  Neither are cheap but each seems to have its reputation intact.  So far....

[dujas]

For me, Zen have been overrated in recent times, their hay-day was the fixed speed ADSL period when they offered unlimited downloads and their own newsgroup server, it seemed good value for money from a quality provider. Presently they are a business ISP with a reliable reputation, that really doesn't offer anything above the norm for the home user. I suppose you could say its a sign of how far the market has fallen, that an experienced and UK based technical support is a major selling point.

I'm surprised more niche ISPs haven't copied AAISP's refund promise to get results from Openreach and/or BT Wholesale, judging by the on-going problems we're seeing with WBC, it would appear to be a notable selling point (would be interesting to see their success record).

[Rik]

Not to mentions their costs...

[Gary]

Not to mentions their costs...

See David for details, I'm sure they re a little greyer after that WBC encounter 

[dujas]

Getting back on-topic, I would like to say pings/downloads speeds have been faultless, for me at least, since the load balancing was completed.

[Rik]

That's good to hear.

[rireed3]

I'm surprised more niche ISPs haven't copied AAISP's refund promise to get results from Openreach and/or BT Wholesale, judging by the on-going problems we're seeing with WBC, it would appear to be a notable selling point (would be interesting to see their success record).

You might be interested in the lengths AAISP go to.  They certainly don't keep it a secret:

http://www.aaisp.net.uk/kb-broadband-sfi.html

Richard

[Rik]

It makes for exhausting reading, doesn't it, Richard. Who'd want to be an ISP? 

[rireed3]

Well, it probably depends on who you are.

Who would want to take your money and leave you to the tender mercies of BT?

I'm sure you're asking "Who would want to be an ISP that tries to deliver fair service under these conditions?"   

[Rik]

I suspect it's reaching a point where AAISP's pricing model will be the only way to be able to afford to provide good customer service.

[dujas]

I do like their website, quite an informative read.

Can only see the situation becoming worse for ISPs, what with BT's financial situation. An electrician friend was recalling recently talking to a BT engineer and he said any digression they had in waiving fees had been taken away and they to were charge for everything, no exceptions.

[rireed3]

I put support onto this, and Simon told me they have already implemented an XML interface in the manner described by AAISP, and used it to reduce the SFI's BT want so they can charge.   

[Gary]

Have to say my speed and pings are also faultless now 

Edit: should not have said that, they are up now