Broadband options around Ashtown?

fcerullo

Hi folks,

just wondering the different services offered around Ashtown area. I've moved recently to The Village Centre (just besides Ashtown Train Station) and NTL told me they don't offer broadband service in the area.

Any suggestions will be really appreciated.

Thanks!

FC

lensman

fcerullo wrote: »

Hi folks,

just wondering the different services offered around Ashtown area. I've moved recently to The Village Centre (just besides Ashtown Train Station) and NTL told me they don't offer broadband service in the area.

Any suggestions will be really appreciated.

Thanks!

FC

I know a few people living there, the managment company awarded the comms contract to some mickey mouse company who as far as I know don't even offer digital tv, some up there have gone to one of the wireless BB companies to get their BB or if you have a landline try perlico

IMO the folk living in apartments or estates where the contract was not given to ntl to provide TV & BB are getting the rough end of the pineapple, & to be quite honest I smell brown paper bags ,...form a lobby group & hassle your local TD, ntl would only be too happy to supply their services

fcerullo

thanks lensman! actually NTL is happy enough to provide digital TV but not broadband... this is really strange as the "data" runs through the same cable so i don't understand why they cannot provide broadband.

will check perlico as i have land line but forming a lobby doesn't sound a bad idea.

thanks again!

FC

kj72

anyone know what is the latest state of play in relation to tv and BB in ashtown - anyone know what options are available as of jan 09 - any help greatly appreciated

slayerking

Sorry to drag up an old thread.
Just moved in to the village center and looking at getting some broadband and tv.
I've heard that a 3rd party crowd called cablewatch <snip> provide these services in the block but i'd much prefer to go with other providers as cablewatch look pretty crap tbh.

Does anyone know what my options are?

Currently waiting to hear back from UPC but its not lookin good!!

wheelie_bin

Hi slayerking

I live in the Rathborne development in Ashtown (near the gym). I paid cablewatch for the first six months for TV, then cancelled because our block got a group deal with Sky. Thing is, I still get a cable service from cablewatch even though I cancelled on them 18 months ago . . .

As for broadband, the phone line seems to be the only option. Ashtown appears to have been overlooked in the roll-out of higher speed broadband too.

For now, I get a three meg line from eircom. I haven't contacted UPC any time lately to find out if they ever intend offering us cable bb, but it would be no harm to check with them.

Tazz T

I'm in Ashtown too. Earlswood end. Been here since the start. BB and TV has always been a dodgy subject that comes up for discussion at the management meetings every year and nothing ever gets done about it. If you're in the Village, you have Cablewatch (rubbish) and that's your only option.

In Earlswood you have Smart Triple Play, which altho has improved over the years is 75 a month and still not very good.

I got rid of it. Best option is to tell management to go and stuff their 'no satellite dishes clause', get Sky and use a midband option such as 3.

The most idiotic thing about it all that when my house was designed it was wired for networked NTL throughout and NTL or even Eircom (not that I'd want them) were ever allowed in. The estate was sold in the brochures as 'broadband ready'.

No one has ever been brought to court for putting up satellite dishes and some of the blocks have now got Sky to provide communal dishes.

We're still waiting for the management company(s) to allow in a decent BB service.

slayerking

Cheers for the info lads. Yea, think I'm gona stay away from Cablewatch just out of principle. Currently have their tv service but that's only payed up until September 9th. I definitely wound not use their broadband service. 2mb for 39.99 and guaranteed to suffer from a seriously bad contention ratio.

I contacted UPC about getting in their tv + broadband however they said that they cannot install it in my place. I told them that the apartment has all the NTL boxes on the walls, and they said more than likely someone has bid for the rights to providing tv services there, i.e cablewatch.

Contacted Imagine Wimax about getting their broadband and they said that because I was in an apartment block and I would need to install an outside receiver, they are not allowed to do that there as the council would not let them. So, all in all, complete annoyance trying to get in a decent service.:mad:

Might start looking at getting in some form of DSL and if that fails I'll have to go for midband.

DingDong

wheelie_bin wrote: »

Hi slayerking

I live in the Rathborne development in Ashtown (near the gym). I paid cablewatch for the first six months for TV, then cancelled because our block got a group deal with Sky. Thing is, I still get a cable service from cablewatch even though I cancelled on them 18 months ago . . .

As for broadband, the phone line seems to be the only option. Ashtown appears to have been overlooked in the roll-out of higher speed broadband too.

For now, I get a three meg line from eircom. I haven't contacted UPC any time lately to find out if they ever intend offering us cable bb, but it would be no harm to check with them.

How did Sky cable the building? I take it's apartments.

slayerking

FYI for anyone else lookin for broadband in Ashtown apartments and determined not to go with that <snip> crowd Cablewatch (even if only our of principle).

I ended up getting in Digiweb Wireless Metro:
8 meg down
1 meg up
60gb download limit
Free installation and it costs 39.95 per month.
They install a relatively small receiver outside and a cable modem inside, no wireless router. They informed me that the management company of the block may ask me to take it down, but I said I'd risk it. Were on the 4th floor and the receiver is pretty discrete.

Very happy with it, consistent speeds so far. Defo recommended for anyone else!

gorgo

I tried to get Digiweb Wireless Metro with the reciever put on my balcony in my Rathborne Apt but the guy said since I was on the lower floor I wouldn't have line of sight to the transmiter.

Then he told me, no joke "theres one guy who has it, thats lucky, hes on the 4th floor"

I'm annoyed at this stage with the lack of options. Had Smart in my last Rathborne Apt and it was fantastic....thats just around the corner :mad:

I refuse to go with a doggle for internet!!

Has anyone in Rathborne gone with Perlico??

slayerking

gorgo wrote: »

I tried to get Digiweb Wireless Metro with the reciever put on my balcony in my Rathborne Apt but the guy said since I was on the lower floor I wouldn't have line of sight to the transmiter.

Then he told me, no joke "theres one guy who has it, thats lucky, hes on the 4th floor"

If that was just recently, sounds like he was talkin bout me!!!!
I just got it in last friday!!:D

Sponge Bob

You could share a top floor metro with a lower down apartment if there were internal network wiring and a patch panel _somewhere_ in an apartment block.

fcerullo

hi there,

Almost a year ago I've placed a request to Sky for a shared dish in The Village, Ashtown. This week I've called them asking for the current status and they told me that we have reached the minimum amount of interested parties to install the dish in the appartment block but they are still awaiting for a management response/approval.

They suggested me to contact the management company to accelerate things... I would kindly like to ask you to give them a call as well so we are taken seriously about this matter.

Honestly being a resident here for 3 years now and no decent TV options available is starting to getting me annoyed.

Thanks,

Fabio

Prezatch

Ok hang on a sec you're talking about TV in a broadband thread. But i'm interested in both anyway.

Which apartment block are you talking about? I'm moving into the Tallow which is pretty much in the village. <snip>. Surely UPC is an option at this stage? (hopes!!)

fcerullo

hi there,

I'm afraid there is no alternative to Cablewatch yet.

Management Company aren't doing anything other than saying they are reviewing sky proposal (for the last two years).

If someone has an idea on how we could fix this for all "The Village" residents so we could have a decent TV service provider please speak up.

Thanks,

Fabio

btw: I live in one of the apartments at The Chandler.

DUB142

fcerullo wrote: »

hi there,

I'm afraid there is no alternative to Cablewatch yet.

Management Company aren't doing anything other than saying they are reviewing sky proposal (for the last two years).

If someone has an idea on how we could fix this for all "The Village" residents so we could have a decent TV service provider please speak up.

Thanks,

Fabio

btw: I live in one of the apartments at The Chandler.

Hi Fabio,

Just incase you havent heared wimax is now in the area from the first of may if you are looking for a batter broband and phone provider, but still no other options for a diffrent tv provider im afraid.

Jonnie_Onion

Hi,

What's the current max speed out of a land line in Ashtown? Is it still 3 meg?

And I've read about issues with Wimax, would anyone still recommend it?


Thanks

jay93

What type of wimax is this if its imagine wimax the more people that sign up to this service the slower and inconsistant it will get.you would be better off paying for a landline even if the max speed is only 3Mb

DUB142

Well all the eircom lines in astown can take up 20mb but you'l never get that speed. I have the 7mb advanced pack from eircom the max speed I get is 6.5mb and the lowest i got from it was 1.2mb but that hasent happend in ages now its around 3.5mb at peek times. I asked about NGB and eircom said they have ashtown on a list to be done next mouth but I always take what eircom tell me with a pinch of salt.

The Wimax that is coming on the first of may is going to 4g so the means no line rental to eircom.

But Im not sure if I whant to change to wimax now because like a few of you I heard a cupple of bad things about it.

Jozee

Hi Folks,

anyone got Digiweb Metro Broadband since? Does it work on lower floors or only on the 4th floor? I will need something soon, but would like to avoid Cablewatch or paying DSL line rental.:)

jumpgun

I see UPC have put planning permission for some kind box down near the bus terminus, so hope they will be in soon.

tutse

I live in The Waxworks and the tv situation is driving me crazy. Can anyone who has had a Sky dish installed tell me the procedure - does your apt have to be facing a certain way etc??

Cantona's Collars

tutse wrote: »

I live in The Waxworks and the tv situation is driving me crazy. Can anyone who has had a Sky dish installed tell me the procedure - does your apt have to be facing a certain way etc??

Dish has to face southeast-(28 Degrees east) If you have a clear line of sight it doesn't even need to be up high.
All you need then is decent broadband to compliment it.

lensman

tutse wrote: »

I live in The Waxworks and the tv situation is driving me crazy. Can anyone who has had a Sky dish installed tell me the procedure - does your apt have to be facing a certain way etc??

Here's a pic which shows you exactly the direction your dish should be pointing based on your location, try it yourself at www.dishpointer.com

Black_Knight

Right. Some handy info from all ye guys. Im living in pelletstown manor in ashtown.

Ive rang up Imagion WiMax and they said I was too far from their transmitters to get BB and that a different BB company had a contract to supply BB to the area, so they couldnt mount a transmitter on the Royal Canal Bank appts. He said they were hoping to have one installed by September.

Rang up Digiweb. First time i was told I can get DSL broadband, but it would be ~€30 + Eircoms line rental. So about 50-55 euro. Ouchies, too much.

Rang them up again to ask about their wireless metro broadband. Was again told im too far from their transmitters to receive broadband. I asked where their transmitters were, and they said Finglas. Considering im on the 4th floor and my apartment faces North, I may be able to get it. They agreed to send out a guy to test whether we can receive Digiweb Wireless Metro BB. I should know within the next 10 working days. Total cost is ~€40 for 8mb with 60gb cap. I can live with that. I had to set up a contract with them for 12 months to get the guy to come out and test whether I can receive broadband off them, but if I cant, they'll cancel the contract etc.

Ill keep ye posted.

jumpgun

I live in park view 4th floor north facing and have digi web, so you should be ok.

Black_Knight

jumpgun wrote: »

I live in park view 4th floor north facing and have digi web, so you should be ok.

What sort of speeds and ping are you getting in the evening/night time?

If you could go onto www.speedtest.net, run a test there and post your results thatd be cool! Cheers!

jumpgun

Here you go its usually better.

jinhee100

And I regret that I didn't go with cablewatch from the start.
It's slow but so far it's stable enough.
I think the download speed is about 1M.
But better than not having one.
It's 39euro a month and installation cost 50euro.

At first I tried to get another service and I had to live on 3G for a month.
And it resulted lots of trouble.

See this.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056512488

But with cablewatch, I got the line the next day after I ordered.
Don't know if I'm just lucky enough to use this slow line right away.
But it solved my internet problem.
Still could be an option if you don't wanna go thru too much hassle like I did.

Black_Knight

If Digiweb can do anything near what Jumpgun is reporting they're doing for him, id be happy. 40 quid a month, free installation, and reports of good speeds..... Ill believe it when I see it.


Hopefully I see it

adm

jinhee100 wrote: »

It's 39euro a month and installation cost 50euro.

I live in rcp so i feel your pain but 40 quid for 1MB in DUBLIN CITY is a bloody scandal if you ask me. I use utv and pay 65 (including line rental) for 10mb (though i dont get 10mb usually its still pretty good)

jinhee100

adm wrote: »

I live in rcp so i feel your pain but 40 quid for 1MB in DUBLIN CITY is a bloody scandal if you ask me. I use utv and pay 65 (including line rental) for 10mb (though i dont get 10mb usually its still pretty good)

Yeah. It's bloody scandal especially for me from Korea. People using 100mb line in there since several years ago. It would be just 30euro a month. And I never got bothered having 100mb service there actually coz my old VDSL was enough for me. It was 20mb. But I think the actual speed was around 10mb.

And about cablewatch.
<snip> the installation guy told me they increased speed to 3mb.
So officially it's 3mb.
Anyway speed is ok to me as long as it is steady.

Just having lots of problem from funny company.
They just called me and told me that I still need to pay <snip>

jumpgun

Here a test from to day around 19.55

I have not had much hassle with Digiweb.Just wish the download limit was higher so I could watch tv on it.

Black_Knight

jumpgun wrote: »

Here a test from to day around 19.55

I have not had much hassle with Digiweb.Just wish the download limit was higher so I could watch tv on it.

http://www.buyincoins.com/details/digital-tv-hdtv-dvb-t-usb-stick-dongle-tuner-recorder-receiver-product-70.html

Pretty sure theres no Broadband required. Ive ordered 2, I can let you know how they fair out once I get them.

man.about.town

jinhee100 wrote: »

Yeah. It's bloody scandal especially for me from Korea. People using 100mb line in there since several years ago. It would be just 30euro a month. And I never got bothered having 100mb service there actually coz my old VDSL was enough for me. It was 20mb. But I think the actual speed was around 10mb.

And about cablewatch.
Tony the installation guy told me they increased speed to 3mb.
So officially it's 3mb.
Anyway speed is ok to me as long as it is steady.

Just having lots of problem from funny company.
They just called me and told me that I still need to pay cancellation fee.

<snip> i left them a few years ago to go to eircom, they rang me back saying they were increasing speed of broadband to 20mb, never happened, anyway went back to them after dispute with eircom over line rental and my cointract, emailed cable watch recently and said they were increasing speed to 25mb in early march, i responded saying they said that 2 years ago, they never responded, there also apparently rolling out <snip>

on plus side your right, there service is next day, unlimited download that really is unlimited because it takes so long

bluestrattos

Hello,

I'm looking for a place in the area, Ashtown-Rathborne.
UPC still no go right ?
Seems that Eircom or Vodafone are the only options for BB. Correct ?

tutse

UPC is still a no go!
But I've made a call to sky and am going to get a dish installed if possible - let the management company come and try and get it down, I'll fight them. Watching a telly that doesn't even give a tv guide in this day and age is ridiculous.
:mad:

bluestrattos

Anyone living in Pelletstown Manor would like to share their experience with Broadband ?

I got a friend of mine who lives further in RCP and complains about Vodafone (too slow), Eircom according with their website doesn't provide 24mb to Pelletstown Manor.

Then there's Digiweb Metro, but their cap of 100Gb doesn't give my much confidence as I like to use and abuse my netflix account.

Finally I need a good upload speed not only for xbox but also for professional reasons, which means that upload of 1mb upload, is nothing but a joke.

Summary:
-Eircom - slow speeds, and very expensive
-Vodafone - very slow and average expensive
-digiweb - slow/average speeds, low traffic allowance
-any 3G provider - Vodafone, O2,3, Meteor - good up/down speeds, very low traffic allowance

t-photo

Hi All

Moved to rathborne close recently. The broadband situation is absolutely crazy Everyone seems to be settling for 3 to 7mb download speeds! Thats nuts in this day and age.
Ive been using 3G since i moved in and its ridiculous. Moved from south city and really missing 25mb UPC. Got a letter the week we moved saying they were upgrading it to 30mb in the area. Heartbreaking. Love the Ashtown area though, much prefer it to the city.

My family home in a rural part of county sligo have better broadband

Everyone should write to the local TD asking to allow more companies like UPC into the area. People should not have to pay the same price for completely inferior services just for the sake of competition law.
Most things we use now like video calls, streaming movies, online gaming are all impossible without proper high speed broadband. Most of the broadband companies in this area are charging full price for services that are not fit for their purpose.

Sorry if thats a bit of a rant, its a frustrating subject.

Is anyone using Smart Telecom? Whats the feedback?

Any advice or suggestions are much appreciated

Black_Knight

Rumours from Sky are that they're bringing in Sky broadband. Doubtful though imo.

Hopefully Eircom can get their next generation BB in at some stage.

bluestrattos

I too have to suffer of getting used to UPC broadband and now... well you know.

Recently I got TV (UPC) installed and I was chatting with the guys, and seems that until 2016 it's not possible to have UPC.

I also drop a tear when he showed me some antennas in a close by building, and told me that all these surrounding buildings could have 20mb broadband from UPC through wireless, if the agency that regulates the communications in Ireland allow UPC to do that.

Seems that the only option to have UPC in Ashtown, is talk with the houses on the other side of the Canal, and split the bills and put there a emissor so you would have broadband in your place. (Actually I'm really thinking in doing that)

Cina

My broadband in Ashtown (vodafone 7mb) is atrocious at the moment. Constant disconnects and 1000ms pings to boards. Unbelievable the quality of Tv and net around here really.

bluestrattos

Well I do share your opinion about how bad is the broadband service in Ashtown, but about TV, I found UPC very good (as usual).

About broadband I've been using O2, good coverage and speed, but I'm waiting for the guy from Metro (Digiweb) to call down, so he can verify if I can get it or not.

Is Wimax an option in Ashtown ?

fcleere

the whole situation is ridiculous! it's like we don't exist out here, I know people living in the backarse of nowhere who have better broadband options than people living here!
wimax is an option as far as I know, probably depending on what way your apartment is facing etc etc.
has anyone any new revelations regarding other suppliers?

fcleere

the whole situation is ridiculous! it's like we don't exist out here, I know people living in the backarse of nowhere who have better broadband options than people living here!
wimax is an option as far as I know, probably depending on what way your apartment is facing etc etc.
has anyone any new revelations regarding other suppliers?

Prezatch

I live in the village, never had a problem with Digiweb in the two years or so I've been with them. Taken at 18:30 on a Monday:

bluestrattos

I live in Pelletstown and also have Digiweb (Metro).
right now:

alexandropolis

Hi JoeyD,
Where exactly in The village are you?
I live in The Parkview apartments, Rathborne.
I arranged everything with digiweb for my connection and after 4 days I called them to ask them how long it is going to take.
They said that they do not have coverage there.....

On the phone they said that the area is ok and even took my personal and bank details.
After that they didn't even call me....

sweenekm

alexandropolis wrote: »

Hi JoeyD,
Where exactly in The village are you?
I live in The Parkview apartments, Rathborne.
I arranged everything with digiweb for my connection and after 4 days I called them to ask them how long it is going to take.
They said that they do not have coverage there.....

On the phone they said that the area is ok and even took my personal and bank details.
After that they didn't even call me....

Hi

Myself an my partner are
Looking
At apartments up there. The agent Said we would have to get cable watch. What is going on? How are you getting on now ?

sweenekm

tutse wrote: »

UPC is still a no go!
But I've made a call to sky and am going to get a dish installed if possible - let the management company come and try and get it down, I'll fight them. Watching a telly that doesn't even give a tv guide in this day and age is ridiculous.
:mad:

Myself and my partner want to move into apartment up there. How u get on with a dish?