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Aquiss vs. Sky broadband?

Ok so I have previously written a thread on whether I should go with Sky 17Mbps unlimited or BT 17Mbps Unlimited, and my suggestions were Sky. But I have recently came across Aquiss, they seem just right for me and with their "Family Gaming it offers, up to 19Mbps faster than BT and Sky) and a 1.3Mbps up. Since this package is named numerous titles such as Unlimited Home, Family Premium Unlimited etc, and Family Gaming, it offers a Gaming Mode which does things with the path and activates some things for supposedly lower latency, (of course, it's all about where you are from the server but it may help with some delayed packets and etc.) So my question is should I go with Aquiss Family Gaming 19Mbps rather than Sky's 17Mbps Unlimited? Also, a big advantage over Sky, Aquiss offers ADSL2+ cabling. And I have heard that Aquiss has a MUCH stronger and reliable line than Sky, along with great customer service, and best of all, their servers located are in Manchester which is ideal for me since I am about 20-40 miles away from it.

And also, all I do is play games, if this helps.
 
Both Sky and Aquiss would have to be offering ADSL2+ for you to get 17Mbps or 19Mbps.

I read periodic reports from forum users of congestion and network breakdowns with Sky.

I do not read any reports of these with Aquiss.

On the other hand, Sky have many more customers, and so I'm more likely to read about issues with Sky.

Aquiss do post on here, so might be able to tell you a bit more about latency optimisation.
 
Both Sky and Aquiss would have to be offering ADSL2 for you to get 17Mbps or 19Mbps.

I read periodic reports from forum users of congestion and network breakdowns with Sky.

I do not read any reports of these with Aquiss.

On the other hand, Sky have many more customers, and so I'm more likely to read about issues with Sky.

Aquiss do post on here, so might be able to tell you a bit more about latency optimisation.

Thanks for the info on ADSL2 cabling for both providers, so I think I am leaning more towards Aquiss, and I will see if I can try and speak to them on here, also on Aquiss' website, when you order your broadband package, there is no messages about a phone line rental, you can buy that as a standalone product. Which is good for me.
 
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lm currently with sky FTTC, so far lve not been able to fault the service, however having being with Aquiss as well l couldnt fault them either. only reason l changed ISPs however was because l wanted FTTC and they didnt offer what l needed at the time.
 
The guy behind Aquiss is the guy who originally ran Vispa, back when THEY had an excellent reputation.

I only have experience of their Fibre service, but tech support has been prompt and detailed when I have needed it.
 
indeed, when ld called in the past and spoke to staff they were always helpful.. one time just outside office hours even had a 15min random chat with one rep lol.. my point being is they are a pretty nice bunch over at Aquiss, unlike some larger ISPs where you get passed around and have to constantly repeat yourself to an annoyed rep who has no clue what he/she is doing past the script thats in front of them which (normally everything they want you to do has already been tested, but you have to do it again), smaller and friendlier can be better without a hefty price tag..
 
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Thanks for the info on ADSL2 cabling for both providers, so I think I am leaning more towards Aquiss, and I will see if I can try and speak to them on here, also on Aquiss' website, when you order your broadband package, there is no messages about a phone line rental, you can buy that as a standalone product. Which is good for me.

Neither ADSL 2+ nor LLU (which is what Sky will use if it's present at your exchange as it's cheaper for them to use their own network than that of BT) are standalone. Both require a phone line to operate. I assume they assumed everyone who wants to buy it knows that but clearly this is not the case so maybe they should change the wording if that's how it reads.
 
I thought it was. He didn't treat us in the user group very well. He was and probably still is not nice.

There were two that owned Visper in the old days so you need to be sure which was the one you are talking about.
 
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Neither ADSL 2+ nor LLU (which is what Sky will use if it's present at your exchange as it's cheaper for them to use their own network than that of BT) are standalone. Both require a phone line to operate. I assume they assumed everyone who wants to buy it knows that but clearly this is not the case so maybe they should change the wording if that's how it reads.

Ok, well if Aquiss require a line rental to operate then I cannot go with them due to pricing. My other option is Zen, if I stand correct on their website on the ADSL packages, on the Unlimited up to 17Mbps download it says "Without line rental" 17.83/month and next to that "With line rental" 13.33/month, 17 pound/month with line rental. So I am very sure that Zen do allow you to go standalone with the broadband since it clearly states that question. Zen's ADSL unlimited up to 17Mbps download package seems fairly cheap, if I wanted to purchase that I would be able to purchase their line rental too. As far as the quality of Zen's internet I have read simultaneous reviews on how it NEVER slows down and is at the estimated/advertised speed 24/7. Also, this gives me the chance to have fibre optic broadband, since "apparently" you can have standalone broadband, so then I can afford fibre optics, only 38Mbps though. Also a free 60 pounds router when ordering the fibre packages! And it's only 30 pounds for activation.

Sorry that I have to write "pounds" in a word, my keyboard is messed up.
 
I thought it was. He didn't treat us in the user group very well. He was and probably still is not nice.

See Kits post below yours; there were two guys, the arse pushed the nice guy out, and the nice guy now owns Aquiss, the arse now runs Vispa (and it shows)
 
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See Kits post below yours; there were two guys, the arse pushed the nice guy out, and the nice guy now owns Aquiss, the arse now runs Vispa (and it shows)

Anyway, I have changed my mind so many times on ISP's over the past few months, I have gone from wanting Virgin Media, to BT, to Sky, to Aquiss, and now to Zen.

This is really my only choice that is in my area that they allow you to go standalone with the broadband, they have a positive customer service, positive feedback, positive customer reviews, and they don't slow you down "by that much anyway" even on heavy loads at peak times.

If this ISP with pricing or else fails too. I am gonna have to stick with my Sky 17Mbps Unlimited, which I would rather not have.
 
I posted on the Zen forums if I could connect my Asus RT-AC66U router to the Zen internet, and I got fantastic replies, the replier even told me what modems I could use. (This wasn't a Zen operator it was just a friendly guy on the forums)
 
williamholden2 all ADSL packages need a BT landline to deliver the broadband there has to be a physical BT landline to the home.

Onlyu broadband that can be delivered without a landline is mobile broadband as that is delivered over 3G or 4G depending on what masts are in your area.
 
williamholden2 all ADSL packages need a BT landline to deliver the broadband there has to be a physical BT landline to the home.

Onlyu broadband that can be delivered without a landline is mobile broadband as that is delivered over 3G or 4G depending on what masts are in your area.

Ok thanks for the info, do fibre broadband packages require a landline?

If Zen's fibre unlimited broadband requires a landline rental from my current BT landline, then my only choice is Virgin Media, which runs on cable, which does not require a landline, correct me if I am wrong. I sincerely do NOT want to go with Virgin Media due to throttling and Cable is a bit on the expensive side. If I do have to with Virgin Media, that will be alright but not ideal for me since I'm gaming and I don't want throttling, although I will get to experience high bandwidth for a while until my family gets some money up again, then I will try and purchase Aquiss/Zen with a landline.
 
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With respect you are getting things all mixed up.

Without line rental means that you have line rental with someone else. So you could have BT for your phone but still have service with Zen.

ADSL and FTTC NEED a phone line to work - Unless you have a Fibre To The Premises connection which is literally just a piece of fibre then you still need a phone line.

Only Virgin Media allow you to have internet with no phone line because their network allows it. Virgin don't throttle anymore unless you upload too much and the only slowdown is the area. However you get free install and 28 days to change your mind. FTTC does not give you that option. so they are worth a shot. I am on 50mbps and I get that 24/7 but 200 in my area just falls over at 3mbps

Zen are one of the best. I have been with them on Unlimited Fibre 2 and it works fantastically. one month I did over 11TB on a 80/20 FTTC connection with them. I recommend them whole heartedly.

BUT you still need a phone line for any ADSL or FTTC connection


ADSL is both phone and broadband on the same wire from the same unit. FTTC is 2 separate wires on 2 linked boxes (which is why they add a new one - purely for the internet bit) Until it gets to these boxes your phone wire and internet wire are still twisted around each other
 
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williamholden2 all ADSL packages need a BT landline to deliver the broadband there has to be a physical BT landline to the home.

Onlyu broadband that can be delivered without a landline is mobile broadband as that is delivered over 3G or 4G depending on what masts are in your area.

Of course let's not forget some providers can give you a copper pair which might well be installed by BTO but has no voice services on it so it not the same as a standard BT landline.

It's ideal for people who don't like having a landline due to mobiles being so generous these days and I wish more providers did it - but it's still worth a mention.
 
With respect you are getting things all mixed up.

Without line rental means that you have line rental with someone else. So you could have BT for your phone but still have service with Zen.

ADSL and FTTC NEED a phone line to work - Unless you have a Fibre To The Premises connection which is literally just a piece of fibre then you still need a phone line.

Only Virgin Media allow you to have internet with no phone line because their network allows it. Virgin don't throttle anymore unless you upload too much and the only slowdown is the area. However you get free install and 28 days to change your mind. FTTC does not give you that option. so they are worth a shot. I am on 50mbps and I get that 24/7 but 200 in my area just falls over at 3mbps

Zen are one of the best. I have been with them on Unlimited Fibre 2 and it works fantastically. one month I did over 11TB on a 80/20 FTTC connection with them. I recommend them whole heartedly.

BUT you still need a phone line for any ADSL or FTTC connection


ADSL is both phone and broadband on the same wire from the same unit. FTTC is 2 separate wires on 2 linked boxes (which is why they add a new one - purely for the internet bit) Until it gets to these boxes your phone wire and internet wire are still twisted around each other
Yes I have realised I am getting confused. Thank you for respect :).

I understand now that FTTC and ADSL need a phone line rental, so it looks like this is my last resort *Papa Roach starts playing* only joking, these are my choices, going with Virgin Media 50Mbps/100Mbps (might not be able to afford the 100Mbps package) or stick with my Sky 17Mbps Unlimited, now in all regards I am a gamer, so I am focused on latency, jitter and packet loss here. Which of my options do you think I should go with? There are also 3 people in the house, 2 are me and my brother, and we are heavy online/multiplayer gamers, we both have gaming PC's, and sometimes I play online on my tablet, and another family member just checks emails and creates documents.

1. Virgin Media have higher bandwidth, but the service provider have very well-known throttling.
2. Sky have lower bandwidth (17Mbps) but their throttling is not as bad.
 
I can't say I have noticed throttling on Virgin. They got rid of downstream STM years ago. 50 is going to 70 for free soon (area by area) so you will end up with a 70 connection without line rental for £30.25 a month. This is not bad when you consider even the likes of Plusnet are around the £35 mark for a phone line and 40/10 FTTC

You get 28 days to try them out and get your money back if you don't get on with Virgin.

I play games via wireless and I get pings of 18-20 wired it's usually around the 15 mark. My games aren't ping dependent but I have no problems.

This is my line over distance. http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/4814724851 I have 2 sky boxes, wifes laptop and phone and a British Gas Smart Meter running on that with no problems.

on UK servers I get 54 (ish) http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/4814734490 so if on 70 profile we get 74 that's the max you can get with a 80/20 FTTC connection (I used to sync at 74/18 50M from my cabinet) and as Virgin like to complete with FTTC I am sure the overheads will allow it

But my Virgin line is just a residential /play line/backup
 
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