I really don't want to jump ship but please look at your Caps

[Technical Ben]

Downloads started for me games etc... Oh, that's not even counting the updates and windows stuff... yawn.

[Ardua]

I think the main conclusion from this discussion is that 'one ISP or one package will never suit everybody'. At the moment, I do not hit my monthly peak limit so IDNet works well for me - even if I am using a ' McLaren to pull a caravan'. However, it is clear from reading the press that the future of entertainment lies in streaming. Sony has just purchased an online games company so it is likely that the Playstation 4 may never happen. I can also see Sky changing to more of a BT Vision type of package within the next 5 to 10 years. All ISPs will be forced to review their packages/customer demographic. Time now for me to respond to Zen who have just noticed that my line has been FTTC-enabled and have e-mailed saying how much they would value my custom.

[Gary]

I think the main conclusion from this discussion is that 'one ISP or one package will never suit everybody'. At the moment, I do not hit my monthly peak limit so IDNet works well for me - even if I am using a ' McLaren to pull a caravan'. However, it is clear from reading the press that the future of entertainment lies in streaming. Sony has just purchased an online games company so it is likely that the Playstation 4 may never happen. I can also see Sky changing to more of a BT Vision type of package within the next 5 to 10 years. All ISPs will be forced to review their packages/customer demographic. Time now for me to respond to Zen who have just noticed that my line has been FTTC-enabled and have e-mailed saying how much they would value my custom.

PS4 will happen, they wont be left behind with Xbox 720. Its just how the machine access games, and I cant see discs fading out, not enough people have fast or reliable lines yet. Sky will always be a satellite company, they can beam into your home reliable content *ahem* yes VOD will be there but satellite is the way they can beat Virgin for coverage compared with cable.

[Bill]

Something to bear in mind when comparing packages and caps is that with Idnet uploads are unmetered and unlimited. This may not be the case for other ISPs which sometimes include upload bandwidth within the capped allowances.

Zen don't include upload, not sure about ADSL24, but as off-peak is unlimited it's not really a problem.

A slight downside to both (for me, anyway) would be that neither yet support IPv6.

[mervl]

  The really interesting thing for me about this discussion is how it shows (once again) - and I include myself in this, so I'm not criticising anyone - how many of our problems are self-inflicted because of what we won't, rather than can't, do.

[Bill]

... because of what we won't, rather than can't, do.

So, in effect, you're saying that the customer should adapt their requirements to suit the service they are being sold... not a suggestion that IDNet's PR department will spend much time on, I hope.

[kerrso05]

The really interesting thing for me about this discussion is how it shows (once again) - and I include myself in this, so I'm not criticising anyone - how many of our problems are self-inflicted because of what we won't, rather than can't, do.

I really can't agree with that at all.......I think what this discussion shows is that Idnet are willing to listen to peoples concerns and are willing to act on them.

What's this business about self inflicted problems....so are you saying that I have inflicted the caps on myself. I don't think so....I'm trying with great difficulty to work round them and that is why I started this discussion to see if others were having this problem that I had with FTTC.
The conclusion is, they do and Idnet have promised to look at after the Olympics which is very positive.........whether or not it clears up my problem is another thing but self inflicted problems..........no, I can't accept that, that is way out of order

[Ardua]

This is getting silly and, arguably, a little too personal. When I worked, I was out at 7 am and back at 7pm, so AAISP would have worked brilliantly for me. I am retired so it doesn't. Equally, IDNet's off peak doesn't work for me either. I am sure that it is attractive to some but I am sure that the IDNet marketing department has cleverly worked out that only a proportion of its customers are night owls so it can comfortably offer lots of bandwidth to all in the knowledge that only a few will use it. I suspect that if all IDNet customers turned on IPlayer at the start of the off=peak period, the network would collapse.  It is perfectly reasonable for consumers to look for the best broadband fit for their lifestyle based on, I suggest, essential and desirable criteria. If others can help with this choice then we should. Equally, all broadband suppliers will take note of changing lifestyles and react accordingly. Those that act slowly may well lose some customers to their competitors.

[Rik]

So, in effect, you're saying that the customer should adapt their requirements to suit the service they are being sold... not a suggestion that IDNet's PR department will spend much time on, I hope.

We do, of course, with some services, eg off-peak phone calls, Economy 7 electricity, parking charges etc.

[JB]

We all have our own usage and time period requirements. Although I have now moved over to Zen, which does not have 'peak' and 'off peak', I find my usage pattern just the same as when I was with IDNet.

For example, I schedule my large downloads at night, not because I have more bytes available then, but because it doesn't impact on the other users in this household who wish to do other internet activities during the day.

We're all different and it's a matter of personal choice.

[Ardua]

We all have our own usage and time period requirements. Although I have now moved over to Zen, which does not have 'peak' and 'off peak', I find my usage pattern just the same as when I was with IDNet.

For example, I schedule my large downloads at night, not because I have more bytes available then, but because it doesn't impact on the other users in this household who wish to do other internet activities during the day.

We're all different and it's a matter of personal choice.

Good speech. The point is that you left IDNet and others are thinking of doing so. If more customers leave then content customers such as me will see less (if that is possible) network problems; conversely, IDNet will receive less income which will reduce its ability to increase package content. Most businesses like to see a static or slowly increasing share of the market to avoid over or under capacity.

I think that over time IDNet may either (a) have to review the peak/off-peak bandwidth ratio (i.e.; increase peak and decrease off-peak) and/or (b) review peak and off-peak times. It is called market forces. That said, they run a very good network and that undoubtedly is one of their top selling points.

[JB]

Good speech.

Thanks 
I actually left because of a number of technical issues, the tipping point for me being the way the mail server failure was handled a few months back. I was also seeing packet loss at busy times and in the evenings. This could have been caused by exchange contention or back haul overload or within IDNet themselves. The fact that I am not seeing any loss now on an identical Zen connection kinda indicates the latter was the case.

I think IDNet have a very difficult balancing act with plans and tariffs but I do think they need to listen to their customers wishes somewhat more or risk the scenario you have eluded to.

[Bill]

We do, of course, with some services, eg off-peak phone calls, Economy 7 electricity, parking charges etc.

No.

People buy the service that best fits their requirements at the time.

If their requirements change then admittedly adapting them to suit their current service may be an option, but if that's not possible or desirable they simply buy a different service.

Taking one of your examples, I wouldn't give much for your chances of getting the Economy 7 periods altered because your sleeping habits changed...

[Rik]

True, I was making the point that some services we buy with restrictions knowingly.

[Bill]

True, I was making the point that some services we buy with restrictions knowingly.

Agreed, but it's reasonable to assume that, though not ideal, that service may still be the best fit- a perfect fit is unlikely!

And it may well be that even when requirements change the current service is still the best fit out of those available... which is what I hope will happen with any amendments to IDNet's product range

[zappaDPJ]

Agreed, but it's reasonable to assume that, though not ideal, that service may still be the best fit- a perfect fit is unlikely!

And it may well be that even when requirements change the current service is still the best fit out of those available... which is what I hope will happen with any amendments to IDNet's product range

It goes without saying that a best fit for everyone would be a low latency, no packet loss, unlimited service at an affordable, fixed price. With the infrastructure lagging behind ever increasing demand, I guess that won't happen any time soon but it would be interesting to know exactly what kind of investment would be required to achieve it.

What does surprise me a little is that there are not more ISPs using AAISP's model. It wouldn't suit me purely because their cost per gigabyte during peak hours is jaw dropping and it appears to be pre-pay, but I do generally like the idea of a metered service.

[Simon]

I think the trouble with AAISP's pricing is understanding it in the first place.  I bet there have been a few shocks when customers receive their invoices!

[Technical Ben]

We do, of course, with some services, eg off-peak phone calls, Economy 7 electricity, parking charges etc.

It's half and half really. If the market does not provide, then someone else will spring up to fill the gap. If it still does not provide, users will find their own solutions, make do or do without.

I've never had trouble with parking charges, because I don't mind walking. So I find the cheapest/free space to park in. The car park can up the price to £10 for all I care, I won't be using it.

[zappaDPJ]

I think the trouble with AAISP's pricing is understanding it in the first place.  I bet there have been a few shocks when customers receive their invoices!

I sat down, determined to fully understand their pricing structure and compare the cost with my current usage pattern. I got there eventually and nearly fell of my chair at how much it would cost me.

[Lance]

I looked once, got a head ache and had to go and lay down instead!

[Ardua]

I sat down, determined to fully understand their pricing structure and compare the cost with my current usage pattern. I got there eventually and nearly fell of my chair at how much it would cost me.

But if you are out all day during the week, then it works. FTTC evenings and weekends would cost £30 inc VAT for 100GB - 2000GB* starting at 6pm and finishing at 9 am, and all day Saturday and Sunday. If you surf during the day, then AAISP is probably not for you.

* 2000GB if you just connect from 2am to 6am.

[zappaDPJ]

I work from home

[kerrso05]

ZappaDP what was the figure you came to that nearly made you fall of the chair?

IMHO from what I have seen of AAISP I am not interested in them and does no one agree with me that their Website design needs some modernisation. It looks like it is run by a bunch of boring blokes who wear sweaters with holes in them, who wouldn't know modern if it hit them on the head. No, their tariffs are way to complicated for me. If Idnet adopt their pricing scheme, I'll be on the first train out of Idnet......I would even go to the dark side

[Simon]

With respect, the website design isn't really indicative of the service offered.  You should've seen IDNet's old website! 

[zappaDPJ]

ZappaDP what was the figure you came to that nearly made you fall of the chair?

IMHO from what I have seen of AAISP I am not interested in them and does no one agree with me that their Website design needs some modernisation. It looks like it is run by a bunch of boring blokes who wear sweaters with holes in them, who wouldn't know modern if it hit them on the head. No, their tariffs are way to complicated for me. If Idnet adopt their pricing scheme, I'll be on the first train out of Idnet......I would even go to the dark side

Keeping in mind that the last time I looked I was on ADSL, comparing like for like in terms of connection type and usage, it would have cost me £2112 per year inc. VAT. I've just done a new comparison with my current connection type (FTTC) and usage pattern and it would cost £921.6 per year inc. VAT.

In terms of design, I agree, their site is very outdated. In terms of content it's top notch though.