Thinking of joining IDNet, but I'm wary of P2P users

Dopamine · Jan 25, 2008, 19:32:23

I'm thinking of moving to IDNet from Pipex, just as soon as Pipex will give me my MAC code, but I'm nervous that IDNet's non-throttling policy could be abused by P2P users to the detriment of others.

The first post on this thread: http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=5589.0 is from a P2P user, hence my concern.

I make no judgement about others' use of P2P, merely that allowing unlimited P2P use has been the downfall of many ISPs, and that hardcore users seem to move to an ISP, heavily use it until that ISP is forced to introduce throttling, then move on to another ISP.

A lot of my web use occurs between 7pm and 3am, when I want fast speeds, even though I don't download much, only about 10GB/month from content rich web pages, not video or music sites.

Is my concern over P2P users moving to IDNet justified? Opinions and experiences would be welcome.

Malc · Jan 25, 2008, 19:38:44

I have been here for about 3 months now and yes I do sometimes use p2p, but I can safely say that any time I have used the internet for anything (not just p2p) I have experience no problems at all.

I'm sure many other people will say the same thing

Oh and

Philip · Jan 25, 2008, 19:47:50

I don't think it will happen, due to the caps IDNet have. Whilst they are more than adequate for the vast majority of us, they are no good to the P2P'rs who could potentially disrupt the service.

and hopefully IDNet

kinmel · Jan 25, 2008, 19:48:59

Very heavy p2p users avoid IDNet because the bandwidth caps are too low for their insatiable needs.

IDNet simply does not suffer from on-going capacity problems, you need have no fears on that account.

Malc · Jan 25, 2008, 19:58:34

From reading posts I think the p2p people on here are those who DL the odd film for home use or a CD now and then, at 30 gig a month cap it's no good for the big hitters

drummer · Jan 25, 2008, 20:12:32

I'm not sure it's possible to abuse a capped account without incurring huge financial cost to the user. My cap is 30GB because that's what I pay for, regardless of what method I use to download and If I want more, it'll cost me £1 per GB after that.

Hardcore P2P users don't really bother with decent ISPs because cost is one the major factors that determines their choice. You'll have probably gathered that I use P2P regularly but I came to IDNet because of the reliability and the guarantee of no throttling and no bogus promises of "unlimited" downloads.

TBH, if IDNet was at risk from hardcore downloaders, I think we'd have seen an influx of them already and I've seen no evidence of that with my rock-solid throughput in the sixteen months I've been here.

Sebby · Jan 25, 2008, 20:45:32

I believe that there is no such thing as heavy P2P users on IDNet. Because of the sensible allowances, IDNet don't suffer like Entanet, for example, do.

ducky22 · Jan 25, 2008, 20:47:08

IDNet do have very limited bandwidth allowances compared with the cost. It is unlikely they will even have to consider bringing in traffic shaping/throttling for this reason. They aim for a specific market which is not the p2p pirate nut downloading 200gb of junk for no reason.

I work from home so I'm quite a heavy user myself but this comes from browsing, downloading, VPN, p2p and lots of streaming video. I'm on the supermax package and normally hit about 50gb a month.

Simon · Jan 25, 2008, 21:10:55

As above. I use P2P occasionally, but could never see myself going over my 30Gb allowance.

and hopefully, to IDNet. You will find may ex-Pipex customers here, in fact, I think we should start our own club! Have a welcome karma!

Dopamine · Jan 25, 2008, 22:12:11

Thanks for your advice everyone. IDnet it is for me then! Asked for my MAC yesterday, so no doubt Pipex (or should I say Tiscali?) will string it out as long as possible before getting it to me, but then I'm off. Since my line was secretly transferred from Pipex to Tiscali 9 days ago, my max speeds have gone from about 1.5mbps peak time, to 400kbps, and that on a stable 8128 synched line almost next door to the exchange. Shocking.

One question though: I have several vital Pipex email accounts. Will I still be able to access these to collect email after I've left Pipex, or does Pipex shut down everything as soon as I leave?

Si · Jan 25, 2008, 22:25:23

If it's any help I placed my MAC request by phone to Pipex on Tuesday morning. I got my MAC by email this morning. Reading around it seems 3 or 4 days is about standard at the moment provided you are out of contract and have no arrears on your account.

I'm just hoping the migration to IDNet doesn't get stuffed up by any incompetence at the Pipex/Tiscali end....

Simon · Jan 25, 2008, 22:27:29

Quote from: Dopamine on Jan 25, 2008, 22:12:11
Thanks for your advice everyone. IDnet it is for me then! Asked for my MAC yesterday, so no doubt Pipex (or should I say Tiscali?) will string it out as long as possible before getting it to me, but then I'm off. Since my line was secretly transferred from Pipex to Tiscali 9 days ago, my max speeds have gone from about 1.5mbps peak time, to 400kbps, and that on a stable 8128 synched line almost next door to the exchange. Shocking.

One question though: I have several vital Pipex email accounts. Will I still be able to access these to collect email after I've left Pipex, or does Pipex shut down everything as soon as I leave?

Pipex will shut everything down after the last day of your 30 day termination notice period. Well, that's what happened with me, anyway. I'm not sure if the 30 days starts when you ask for your MAC, or when they issue it, but your emails should still be accessible for 30 days from then.

You can, however, set up your IDNet email accounts as soon as you sign up to migrate, so there should be a window where you can access both.

Sebby · Jan 25, 2008, 22:47:40

Quote from: Dopamine on Jan 25, 2008, 22:12:11
One question though: I have several vital Pipex email accounts. Will I still be able to access these to collect email after I've left Pipex, or does Pipex shut down everything as soon as I leave?

From experience, it continues to work for as long as 6 months, depending on whether they pull their finger out and actually remove your account entirely. It does differ, though, and could be removed straight away.

Malc · Jan 25, 2008, 23:00:50

I came here in October and my pipex email is still working for incoming only, most probably due to there usual incompetence.

Regarding your MAC I asked for mine and 7 days later, nothing, I phoned then and they'ed conveniently "forgot" to do it. The said it would take 7 more days.

I rang back after a few days and they'ed decided to posted it (in the middle of a postal strike) and couldn't give it me over the phone, however I mentioned offtel and suddenly they could give it over the phone.

No wonder people want to leave them

So, welcome from another pipex refugee... You won't be disappointed.

Sebby · Jan 25, 2008, 23:03:07

Quote from: Malc on Jan 25, 2008, 23:00:50
Regarding your MAC I asked for mine and 7 days later, nothing, I phoned then and they'ed conveniently "forgot" to do it. The said it would take 7 more days.

That sounds familiar.

Lance · Jan 25, 2008, 23:04:16

Welcome to the forum, Dopamine

Simon · Jan 25, 2008, 23:15:34

They obviously didn't like me! They cut off my email and webspace immediately after the contract ended.

Sebby · Jan 25, 2008, 23:24:04

You were obviously just unlucky, Simon.

Lance · Jan 25, 2008, 23:29:32

Or look it the other way - managing to cut all links could be seen as lucky!

Sebby · Jan 25, 2008, 23:31:44

Absolutely. In fact, I find it quite annoying that you can still log into your account for up to a year sometimes. I don't want them keeping my information!

Malc · Jan 25, 2008, 23:33:19

Anyone moving from "them" should sign up to as many spamming sites as they can before they leave.

Keep their servers busy

Sebby · Jan 25, 2008, 23:34:09

That's just cruel. They already can't cope.

Malc · Jan 25, 2008, 23:35:44

Might encourage a few more to leave, a bit more business for INDet.

I wonder... can we have a bonus system for new customers

Lance · Jan 25, 2008, 23:39:00

Well, there is the refer-a-friend scheme they run already

kerrso05 · Jan 26, 2008, 16:17:49

Quote from: Dopamine on Jan 25, 2008, 19:32:23
I'm thinking of moving to IDNet from Pipex, just as soon as Pipex will give me my MAC code, but I'm nervous that IDNet's non-throttling policy could be abused by P2P users to the detriment of others.

The first post on this thread: http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=5589.0 is from a P2P user, hence my concern.

I make no judgement about others' use of P2P, merely that allowing unlimited P2P use has been the downfall of many ISPs, and that hardcore users seem to move to an ISP, heavily use it until that ISP is forced to introduce throttling, then move on to another ISP.

A lot of my web use occurs between 7pm and 3am, when I want fast speeds, even though I don't download much, only about 10GB/month from content rich web pages, not video or music sites.

Is my concern over P2P users moving to IDNet justified? Opinions and experiences would be welcome.

Hi I'm the person that started the Thread about "Eclipse, Throttling and should I move to IDNet?"

Like you, I'm about to join IDNet (If only Eclipse would give me my MAC Code). Like you I am dissatisfied by the Service I am receiving from my Internet Service Provider (in my case, Eclipse).
I see you assume that I am a Heavy P2P user, and that you are apprehensive to join IDNet because it may be a refuge for Heavy P2P Users.

In my defense, I am not a Heavy P2P user, somewhere between 10Gbs and 20Gbs a month but never, ever above 30Gbs.....I would consider Heavy P2P users as someone who downloads anything between 50Gbs and 100 and above. When I joined Eclipse I was given a written assurance (via Email) that I wouldn't be Throttled or Managed and that I would have Unlimited Download. For two years that was the case and even in those two years I never downloaded anything more than 20Gbs a month (mostly averaging 13Gbs a month) then suddenly Eclipse (without notice) started throttling. It is so bad I am getting figures of 0.03kbs.....useless......I now have to wait till after midnight (to 7.00am) to get any degree of download speed. I see you download (not via P2P) about 10Gbs a month....if you were on Eclipse, you would have to wait till Midnight to carry out that download. I'm sure you would agree with me that is totally unacceptable.
I agree with others on here that have expressed the view that most P2P Heavy downloaders wouldn't be interested in IDNet, as they would feel that 30Gbs a month is too restrictive. So don't worry people like me won't put any more strain on IDNets System, more than you will.
Why I want to join IDNet, is because what appears to be an Honest and Fair way of running a Internet Service Provider Company......and from what I have seen on these threads, these guys are Honest and that they have a good relationship with their Customers........I don't think it is much to ask for, HONESTY......do you?