Which Provider?

[DaveyBoy]

okay I have been contracted to Aol for about the last 4 years and I've never had a problem with their service, getting good constant speeds of about 4.3Meg download at all times. Since the takeover of Aol UK by carphone warehouse and the server migration the speed has decreased significantly and it's become a lottery to see what speed I get. The speed is greatly affected in the evenings now as I always seem to get speeds under 1Meg, sometimes under 0.1Meg!!!.

Basically I've checked the Aol forums and a lot of other people are suffering from the same problems, getting terrible speeds and some struggling to even get online at all. I've had enough of this and now I am planning to leave Aol and find a new provider. Which do you recommend?

We have a maximum of 3 computers connected at any time. I also own a PS3 and am a keen online gamer so would like a good speed to allow good hosting and prevent lag. Aol say that the maximum download speed available in my area is 5Meg, and my postcode is S32 2HY. Also I don't want to join a provider which reduces internet speed at peak times, like I've heard that Tiscali do.

After checking out a few deals and hearing recommendations from friends I was considering getting 02 or sky, since we are already subscribed to sky TV it seems good value for money. Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.

You can't get O2 in your postcode area.. the Sky available in that area is only the BT Wholesale version. If you are into games you maybe should look at Plusnet as they have a spe******t gamers deal.

[DaveyBoy]

hmm shame about 02. I'll have a look at plusnet as well then. Also what do you mean by sky being the BT wholesale version?

Sky own their own equipment in some exchanges where they can offer better speeds and cheaper prices, however at your exchange they don't have their own equipment, so they have to use BT's equipment which means they can't offer their better prices/deals.

[DaveyBoy]

okay cheers for that.