Fast4

I've been with Fast4 for just over a year. I frequently experience disconnections (other than at the normal 2-hour cut-off time). When I have queried these the support people have told me their records show the disconnections have been at my request - what rubbish! I'm hardly likely to request a disconnection in the middle of downloading something!

For the last month Fast4 has been experiencing a problem with its unmetered subscription number and it has been impossible to get access during the day. Generally it has been possible to connect to Fast4 only between (approximately) 2.00 a.m. and about 9.30 - 10.00 a.m. At all other times connection fails with an error 691, username/password invalid. They are aware of this problem and admit that many subscribers are affected. They say it is a problem with their suppliers' network and they're trying to fix it. However, I've worked in the computer industry for more than 30 years and I know it doesn't take a month to set up a new network, bank of servers, routers, a new telephone number etc.

Fortunately I'm semi-retired so I've been able to use the internet during the night but now I'm thoroughly fed up and with no end to the problem in sight I'm looking for another dial-up ISP (broadband isn't available where I live) - I'd rather like to be able to go to bed while it's still dark! Fast4 is about the cheapest around but it's not so cheap if you can't use it and have to use a PAYG connection as well as paying their monthly subscription. I recommend avoiding it at all costs!