I see from the Addicted message that Wendy and Jacqui have the Broadband internet (and Jill, you work for NTL). I watched the NTL advert on this recently and decided to look into it further. Questions: Jill, I down loaded the system check and it seemed to go on for ever. Any idea how long it actually takes? I have a small flat with my NTL Digital connection in the bedroom (Sky in the lounge). Would they supply me with enough cable to run from the bedroom to the lounge where the computer is? And to Wendy and Jacqui, is it as good as the adverts say it is? I notice NTL have the advantage over BT Openworld in having a cheaper option (nice one, Jill!). Would appreciate any comments please. Thanks.
Janet.

Hi Janet, I think that Broadband internet is fantastic :D The internet connection is permanent so now i can chat on the phone and play around on the internet at the same time (just means i don't really listen to whoever is on the phoneline ). Broadband internet is apparantly 10X faster than dial-up connection (the difference is amazing!!!) and the advantage it has over NTL is that you are permanantly connected to the internet - with NTL you have to reconnect every two hours. We pay 25 a month for the broadband - but it is worth every penny because the pc is on nearly all day, every day Hope this helps .......now, over to you Jill and Steph LOL

Hi Janet, I'm on broadband too and wouldn't be without it. saves all those frustrating times of not being able to connect, and you can keep on top of your e mail as and when it comes in. My computer is on all the time when I'm not at work or my son's not at college. It's well worth the 25 a month I pay. They ran enough cable for me to have it in my back room even though the 'cable in' socket is in the front (there was a hole in the adjoining wall which I drilled through beforehand but that should not be a problem) Love Maggie

Hi guys. Yes BB internet is deffo the way forward Not that I'm gaining anything from making that statement, you understand!Normal dial internet access thru the telephone line can be as fast as 56kbs (kilobites per second) but downloading can take forever. It also ties up the phoneline unless you have a secondary line for the internet. BB is available thru the digital cable modem. It is always on, so you have no waiting to connect and no bootings off after 2 hours. There are 3 speeds currently available:- 128 kbs at 14.99 monthly; 512 kbs at 24.99 monthly and 1 megabite at 49.99 monthly. A company called Barron McCann actually supply BB. the installation package arrives at your home independently to the digi cable modem. All the installation for BB is, apart from the digibox, is a 22metre cable and an ethernet card. I don't actually work in the BB dept (far too technical for me) but if you want to know more look on the askntl.com website and put in your postcode. From there you'll be able to read all about it and decide if it's the option for you. Hope all this bumph helps :D JIll x

in the backwoods of sheppey we do not have cable could we still get b.b.?

Thanks for all your replies. I still do not know if my PC is able to take the connection, when I have an age to spare I'll try running the system check again. Cheers.
Janet.

To get broadband internet access you need to live with a certain distance from a digitally enabled telephone exchange (about 5 miles I think).
If you're exchange isn't enabled then the only option other than a standard dial up modem is satellite adsl from BT.
You get a small dish that goes on your house which can transmit as well as receiving signals. A modem is supplied that plugs straight into your PC so it works just like cable as a permanent connection. Problem is it's more expensive than cable modem or normal adsl but you can use it anywhere in the UK.

Good morning. Haven't been on for a while. Broadband is coming into my exchange at the end of May so would you advise me to go for it. I use the internet a lot.

hi jaycee,
i'd recommend anybody to go for broadand. not only is it faster but you can get some good 'all in' deals. i pay 25 a month for unlimited access, so i can chat at 3am if i want, and all day too
claire

NTL in Southampton dont even have digital, and we asked about broadband and they sed not for at least a couple of years!

I live near Worthing and we can be connected at the end of the Month. Southampton surly will be soon - looks as if they are working their way along the coast.

freeserve are doing a special deal ( on the msn site I saw the ad) but being u.s in the comp. dept. I do not know if it is a good deal

I have Freeserve and I do think it is a good deal. The only problem is we are moving at the end of the month - if I have it now BT will charge me another 70 to move it to my new address. Maybe they will carry the promotion on for a buit longer then I`ll be OK otherwise will have to pay the full price in June.

Hi Clair_eke - which server do you use to get 25 all in deal. The cheapest I've been quoted is 29.99 and that's both BT and Freeserve.

hi jaycee
we're with telewest broadband, they provide our phone too, but i don't know if there all over or just in the south west. good luck,
claire

Thanks Claire, unfortunately Telewest are only in your part of the world, I think. Certainly they're not here in the wilds of West Sussex. Thanks anyway. I shall go for it as soon as it becomes available here anyway.

We are on Telewest broadband tooooo :D ......so they are in the Midlands too...slowly taking over the country LOL
I couldn't be without it now........i can sit on the pc all day....and chat on the phone at the same time.....how exciting is my life LOL

Broadband internet is certainly the way forward, but anyone going for it should make sure that there computer is protected against hackers.
With a normal modem dial-up your IP address changes each time you connect to the internet, making you a moving target for would be hackers. With broadband your PC is most probably going to be left connected for long periods of time, therefore putting your computer at much greater risk.
You should invest in a 'firewall' program which will help protect you from unwanted hackers. A firewall works by blocking any communication over your internet connection that you have not authorised. Symantec make a good one called Norton Personal Firewall, it's easy to install & set up.
Personally, I know someone who got their computer hacked only weeks after getting NTL broadband as he had no firewall!

Good advice Tommo, we have Zone Alarm on our pc, and the first couple of weeks of being on broadband were fascinating......cos we were always getting messages through zone alarm that someone was trying to access the pc
We have also got Norton installed now, as a couple of weeks ago, we got a virus through an email (which i kindly shared with Steph - sorry Steph :D ). So you have to be careful.

has anyone seen the new ad from bt for broadband saying that installation(I think ) is free?

I have Telewest Broadband and telephone up her in Newcastle upon Tyne. I lived in West Sussex for a year though and they'd never heard of it there.

Broadband is fantastic! Well worth the extra money per month. Friends locally have BT BB and not quite so good in ways as prevents file transfers, ICQ chats, etc.

A friend down in Stoke on Trent has broadband too, but with NTL. Prices don't seem to vary quite as much from the different providers now, although Telewest offer cheaper installation fees.

If you have Telewest in your area, contact me to recommend you and you'll get installation half price (and I'll get a free month's subscription)

Bundlebob

I live about about 7 miles south of Southampton (as the crow flies) out in the sticks and im having broadband installed tomorrow - cant wait !! Can not see why you would have a problem ???

Hi everyone, i go onto BB on sat. with NTL and its 14-99 a month,i have only had good reports about it,well heres hopeing Sandie