Broqdband costing a fortune

mosesgun

I'm living near Borris and am told by eircom that they best my line will give is 4Mb download. Is anyone using this with the likes of netflix etc.
I'm using Aptus at the moment and have no problems with their service but the charges over and above your monthly dowload allowance make it completely crazy for me given we have 3 kids all playing games and streaming movies etc. Eircom is slower (aputus is 6 Mb dowload) but has unlimited dowload. Anyone any experience of this speed from eircom?

rayfitzharris

mosesgun wrote: »

I'm living near Borris and am told by eircom that they best my line will give is 4Mb download. Is anyone using this with the likes of netflix etc.
I'm using Aptus at the moment and have no problems with their service but the charges over and above your monthly dowload allowance make it completely crazy for me given we have 3 kids all playing games and streaming movies etc. Eircom is slower (aputus is 6 Mb dowload) but has unlimited dowload. Anyone any experience of this speed from eircom?

Same problem here op, I can't even get an eircom line, but I'm thinking of ditching Aptus for their atrocious download allowance. Just had another wireless provider call to the door, a tenner cheaper and a 100gig allowance. Still crap but 20gigs better than Aptus all the same.

Anyone anything good to say about Premier?

mosesgun

I find it hard to believe that Aptus don't offer far more generous download allowances. Their business model is flawed in my humble opinion. As soon as a viable alternative becomes available to me I'll be gone like a light. If and when fibre becomes more widely available they will be in big trouble. Surely they must be leaking customers already given that fibre is now available in the likes of Bagenalstown.

Super-Rush

Anything over 2mb would be ok for Netflix.

The thing you'll need to look out for is the quality of the service through the line into your house.

I've seen people struggle to watch a YouTube video with Eircom where I've been able to tether my mobile phone signal and be able to watch a football match without interruption.

I'm fairly sure that Eircom offer a period of 14 days so you can make your mind up to either keep it or ditch it.

I too am an Aptus customer and have gone over my limit on both packages.

mosesgun

Super-Rush wrote: »

Anything over 2mb would be ok for Netflix.

The thing you'll need to look out for is the quality of the service through the line into your house.

I've seen people struggle to watch a YouTube video with Eircom where I've been able to tether my mobile phone signal and be able to watch a football match without interruption.

I'm fairly sure that Eircom offer a period of 14 days so you can make your mind up to either keep it or ditch it.

I too am an Aptus customer and have gone over my limit on both packages.

Thanks for that. I think I might try Eircom and see how it goes for the 2 weeks. Keep Aptus just in case. If it's ok I'll then cancel Aptus.

georgefalls

Eircom also do an unlimited download package. I'm on it.
Half price for the first six months as well.

mosesgun

georgefalls wrote: »

Eircom also do an unlimited download package. I'm on it.
Half price for the first six months as well.

What speed is your package and is it sufficient for streaming movies etc?

georgefalls

Its up to 8mb, getting around 6 though. I use netflix all the time, no problems at all.

Sully

Sky or Vodafone work out cheaper than eircom. Sky is completely unlimited while Vodafone have a fair usage cap (it's generous enough). They all use the same equipment more or less so you won't see any massive performance improvement. Vodafone also do the fibre, but I assume it's not available yet in your area.

2mb+ is fine for streaming in general but remember, the more people using your internet at home will see the performance drop.

mosesgun

Sully wrote: »

Sky or Vodafone work out cheaper than eircom. Sky is completely unlimited while Vodafone have a fair usage cap (it's generous enough). They all use the same equipment more or less so you won't see any massive performance improvement. Vodafone also do the fibre, but I assume it's not available yet in your area.

2mb+ is fine for streaming in general but remember, the more people using your internet at home will see the performance drop.

Thanks. Wish fibre was available. That would solve my problem straight away. I think i'll give Eircom a go and see what happens. If there's any problems with the line, the other providers will be reverting back to them anyway.

maccored

I cant get fibre and eircom says our line cant handle any more than 4 mbs. I tried everyone going (or as good as) and I've found regional broadband to be pretty good. Up to 7mb, lowest around 4, and usually somewhere inbetween 4 and 6mbits. 2mbit upload and no limits.

AlanS181824

My friend has Aptus and gets 6/1 with a 40GB limit!

Crazy stuff having a limit these days.

Go with Eircom.

mosesgun

Order placed with Eircom. I'll plug it in and see what happens. If its not up to the job I'll look elsewhere. If I get 4 or even 3MB download it will be fine. If I'm not getting that, I'll send it all back and cancel within the cooling off period. I'll report back here with how it goes.

mosesgun

maccored wrote: »

I cant get fibre and eircom says our line cant handle any more than 4 mbs. I tried everyone going (or as good as) and I've found regional broadband to be pretty good. Up to 7mb, lowest around 4, and usually somewhere inbetween 4 and 6mbits. 2mbit upload and no limits.

Thanks for that. I actually came across Regional Broadband and it looked ideal for me. I emailed them where my house is located and they came back and said they had no coverage in my area. I was surprised as their converage map looked like they did. Ah well.

maccored

Ah damn. Ask them to keep you updated, you'd never know. i thought looking at their map they had all of the area covered too.

mosesgun wrote: »

Thanks for that. I actually came across Regional Broadband and it looked ideal for me. I emailed them where my house is located and they came back and said they had no coverage in my area. I was surprised as their converage map looked like they did. Ah well.

mosesgun

Just to update those interested. I got Eircom broadband router and installed it. 4Mb advertised and I get approx 3.4mb download consistently. Have it a month almost now. We kept Aptus too and our usage throughout the month with them was 30Gigabytes from a limit of 80. Just wanted to keep aptus in case Eircom was rubbish. Everything works fine on eircom. Netflix, youtube, sky go etc. Very happy with it and NO DOWNLOAD LIMIT. I wish it was a bit faster but for the money it beats aptus hands down. might hang on to aptus for a few months and mix between them and eircom that way I know my total monthly internet costs.

tommycahir

sorry to be dragging up an old thread but looks like Aptus has listened to peoples complaints and has upped their data allowances, Just noticed they must have a typo as the PDF screenshot below is showing 1400GB whereas the mail body sayd 140GB..

AlanS181824

tommycahir wrote: »

sorry to be dragging up an old thread but looks like Aptus has listened to peoples complaints and has upped their data allowances, Just noticed they must have a typo as the PDF screenshot below is showing 1400GB whereas the mail body sayd 140GB..

Great news for those still using their service.

My friends who had Aptus actually got rid of it a few weeks ago and now have Vodafone DSL @1Mb at peak times compared to @3Mb peak with Aptus.

tommycahir

AlanS181824 wrote: »

Great news for those still using their service.

My friends who had Aptus actually got rid of it a few weeks ago and now have Vodafone DSL @1Mb at peak times compared to @3Mb peak with Aptus.

Yikes, that is one thing that I have to say is great with aptus is their peak time speeds are not much slower than offpeak time.

I am also assuming that similar increases would be applied to other packages that they are selling..

racso1975

Yeah the solum duo goes from 40 to 60gb. By looks of it Just add 20gb onto your current allowance

mosesgun

They are listening to their customers so credit where it's due. An unlimited package before the end if the year will be a great addition to their offering. They'll probably charge a fortune though.

Super-Rush

Having watched my dl limit for so long i'll never get near 140gb in a month.

AlanS181824

mosesgun wrote: »

They are listening to their customers so credit where it's due. An unlimited package before the end if the year will be a great addition to their offering. They'll probably charge a fortune though.

Aptus Unlimited - €69.99 (Pure guess.)

Vodafone Unlimited - €40.

So grateful I live in the town, rural broadband prices are extremely high!

eoin1539

mosesgun wrote: »

Just to update those interested. I got Eircom broadband router and installed it. 4Mb advertised and I get approx 3.4mb download consistently. Have it a month almost now. We kept Aptus too and our usage throughout the month with them was 30Gigabytes from a limit of 80. Just wanted to keep aptus in case Eircom was rubbish. Everything works fine on eircom. Netflix, youtube, sky go etc. Very happy with it and NO DOWNLOAD LIMIT. I wish it was a bit faster but for the money it beats aptus hands down. might hang on to aptus for a few months and mix between them and eircom that way I know my total monthly internet costs.

I knew someone who had aptus but got rid of it because of the cap and the speed was low at peak times because of the contention ratio.

AlanS181824

eoin1539 wrote: »

I knew someone who had aptus but got rid of it because of the cap and the speed was low at peak times because of the contention ratio.

That's just one of the cons with it being a wireless provider I guess!

eoin1539

AlanS181824 wrote: »

That's just one of the cons with it being a wireless provider I guess!

Ye and it's so expensive too! Like for 4mb not even at peak times and for an 80gb cap it's €80! That's madness.

Super-Rush

eoin1539 wrote: »

Ye and it's so expensive too! Like for 4mb not even at peak times and for an 80gb cap it's €80! That's madness.

Where are you getting this price from?

eoin1539

Super-Rush wrote: »

Where are you getting this price from?

From the aptus website, I think they changed the price so now it's €59.99 for an 80GB cap.

Super-Rush

I'm currently paying €50 for a 140gb cap.

Never had any contention issues even at peak time.

tommycahir

Super-Rush wrote: »

I'm currently paying €50 for a 140gb cap.

Never had any contention issues even at peak time.

Same here with a 7mb connection for €50 and 140GB cap as per above, however contention will only come into play depending on the link you have and amount of people on it, personally on my link I have only seen any slow down a handful of times over the last 5 years I have been using Aptus and that was it dropping maybe by 25% or so in terms of speeds available according to speedtest results.

AlanS181824

Super-Rush wrote: »

I'm currently paying €50 for a 140gb cap.

Never had any contention issues even at peak time.

Vodafone 100/20 €40 per month, love living in the town.

eoin1539

AlanS181824 wrote: »

Vodafone 100/20 €40 per month, love living in the town.

^
I'm on UPC and I'm paying €40 for unlimited 120/12. Hate to have a cap :pac:

tommycahir

AlanS181824 wrote: »

Vodafone 100/20 €40 per month, love living in the town.

eoin1539 wrote: »

^
I'm on UPC and I'm paying €40 for unlimited 120/12. Hate to have a cap :pac:

Unfortunately when living in the sticks like me options are limited! Am so far away from exchange they can't even guarantee me 1mb connection...

eoin1539

tommycahir wrote: »

Unfortunately when living in the sticks like me options are limited! Am so far away from exchange they can't even guarantee me 1mb connection...

What ISP?

Super-Rush

Tbh I'd prefer to suffer DL caps than live in the town.

eoin1539

Super-Rush wrote: »

Tbh I'd prefer to suffer DL caps than live in the town.

I like living in the town, I love my Internet too much :pac:

Super-Rush

Has anyone heard anything more about Aptus going unlimited?

Their website hasn't been updated, ever, and they're not on Facebook or Twitter which i find really strange.

tommycahir

They are usually very responsive to emails, I have heard some rumours that they will be announcing a new product which will be unlimited but no idea when that will happen.

mosesgun

tommycahir wrote: »

They are usually very responsive to emails, I have heard some rumours that they will be announcing a new product which will be unlimited but no idea when that will happen.

I was speaking with them a few weeks ago. Unlimited will be available but only on their 5 Megabit download package. I currently have the 7 Megabit package and for some reason this is not going unlimited. I can however get a 200 Gigabyte monthly download cap for an extra €5 per month. So for €55 per month I can get 200 gig monthly download cap. Not bad but still not unlimited. They are lovely people to deal with but their pricing policies are all over the shop.

Super-Rush

mosesgun wrote: »

I was speaking with them a few weeks ago. Unlimited will be available but only on their 5 Megabit download package. I currently have the 7 Megabit package and for some reason this is not going unlimited. I can however get a 200 Gigabyte monthly download cap for an extra €5 per month. So for €55 per month I can get 200 gig monthly download cap. Not bad but still not unlimited. They are lovely people to deal with but their pricing policies are all over the shop.

That makes zero sense. It's just typical from them.

SoupyNorman

Super-Rush wrote: »

Has anyone heard anything more about Aptus going unlimited?

Their website hasn't been updated, ever, and they're not on Facebook or Twitter which i find really strange.

I am loving this thread...

I'm moving to Castledermot in 6 weeks and I was seriously fretting about internet. Aptus seem to be a real answer.

I've emailed them and they have confirmed CD is within their coverage.

I know they still have data caps but they are double and triple what the mobile broadband provide.

It's a real alternative until eFibre makes it (if ever).

mosesgun

SoupyNorman wrote: »

I am loving this thread...

I'm moving to Castledermot in 6 weeks and I was seriously fretting about internet. Aptus seem to be a real answer.

I've emailed them and they have confirmed CD is within their coverage.

I know they still have data caps but they are double and triple what the mobile broadband provide.

It's a real alternative until eFibre makes it (if ever).

Yep. To deal with they are really friendly and offer a decent service. It's their pricing policies as regards data caps etc that are the problem. Surely they are living on borrowed time as when a viable alternative arrives, their customers will be gone in a flash!!

Shiraz 4.99

SoupyNorman wrote: »

I am loving this thread...

I'm moving to Castledermot in 6 weeks and I was seriously fretting about internet. Aptus seem to be a real answer.

I've emailed them and they have confirmed CD is within their coverage.

I know they still have data caps but they are double and triple what the mobile broadband provide.

It's a real alternative until eFibre makes it (if ever).

There should eFibre in Castledermot by Sept, earlier if you believe the promises so don't go signing any 12 month deals with anyone yet.

SoupyNorman

Shiraz 4.99 wrote: »

There should eFibre in Castledermot by Sept, earlier if you believe the promises so don't go signing any 12 month deals with anyone yet.

I really want to believe this.

I see on the rollout map it says Castledermot is scheduled for July-Sept but I queried this on the Broadband forum and I was giggled at.

madmaggie

Agree with previous posters re Aptus. Their installer climbed up a tree here to get a signal, and put up the dish!! I'm the only internet user in the house, and that's just for eejiting around really, so not bothered by caps etc. Massive improvement on the dongle yoke I had before.

Shiraz 4.99

SoupyNorman wrote: »

I really want to believe this.

I see on the rollout map it says Castledermot is scheduled for July-Sept but I queried this on the Broadband forum and I was giggled at.

Go by this map, shows where the cabinets are to be located.
http://fibrerollout.ie/where-and-when/

Click on Fibre Servies Planned & balloon says:

Estimated date for first Live Fibre Services is Summer/ Autumn 2015

A balloon would never lie now would it.

SoupyNorman

Shiraz 4.99 wrote: »

Go by this map, shows where the cabinets are to be located.
http://fibrerollout.ie/where-and-when/

Click on Fibre Servies Planned & balloon says:


A balloon would never lie now would it.

I think I will let my cynicism evaporate and just get mobile broadband instead of signing up for a year with aptus, see how things go over the summer.

Shiraz 4.99

SoupyNorman wrote: »

I think I will let my cynicism evaporate and just get mobile broadband instead of signing up for a year with aptus, see how things go over the summer.

3G!!!!! in Castledermot . . . . oh dear, dial up would be faster

There's 2 masts depending who you're with, I reckon they are powered by a AAA battery.

SoupyNorman

Shiraz 4.99 wrote: »

3G!!!!! in Castledermot . . . . oh dear, dial up would be faster

There's 2 masts depending who you're with, I reckon they are powered by a AAA battery.

Oh lord it's bad huh?

Ok, we're buying the new house off family so I can speed test their current line speed.