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Balancing/routing - 3G and ADSL

We've used a 3G service for a couple of years which works pretty well, circa 2 to 3 Mbps downstream, that's all we can get here.

However we're starting to watch a bit more TV online now and 3G starts getting expensive. ADSL is much slower, but cheaper for higher volumes.

Both for this, and as a backup to the 3G service, I was thinking about getting the knackered old phone line reactivated (no LLU, Market 1, circa 3km line - used it a couple of years ago before we upgraded to 3G)

Couple of questions:

1. Will Seesaw stream properly at 1.5Mbps? (That's all the ADSL can manage, IP profile 1750 sync 2048 IIRC) - if the answer here is no, then the project is a no go as only 3G is quick enough (streams fine on standard def and 95% of the time fine on the higher res setting)

2. Is there any sensible way of setting up both connections behind one router so that streaming goes via ADSL and everything else via 3G? (I've seen routers that can fail over 3G down to ADSL, but that's not quite what I was looking for)
 
1. Assuming you can actually get a 1.5Mbps connection with stability then it should be ok, although you might experience the odd pause depending on how well SeeSaw's service uses buffering. The quality may automatically lower to compensate.

2. It's technically possible but in reality asking one type of physical connection to handle one type of internet traffic and another for another is more into the realm of corporate level network controls. I personally don't know a simple solution for this on home computers, it's usually an "either or" solution.
 
OK - partner works for Virgin Media (the irony, no cable round here, but the head office is only about 12 miles away!) and we can get a huge discount so I'll get that ordered, it's not much cash and worth a punt.

I wait with bated breath to see how much further the phone line has deteriorated in the last two years since it was last used. But then I could be, er, lucky and get a "good one" that manages the dizzying heighs of 3 Meg ;)
 
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Be aware that you'll probably be on their less than impressive Virgin.net ADSL platform with Virgin Media, which may not give you the best performance but I stand to be corrected :) .
 
Curiously, because it's a "staff contract" there's no minimum term. So if Virgin Media don't even have 1.5Mbps of bandwidth on tap we can change. Plus it's dirt cheap :)

I did look at AAISP which would normally be my first choice, plus Zen and IDNET, but the line is so poor it just doesn't justify the pricing.

AAISP was something like a comedy 150 to connect the line, 50 to connect the ADSL, and about 62.00 a month (10GB peak/100GB off peak I think).

That's a jaw dropping 43.00 per month per Mbps of speed running at only half the rate of 3G :(

I'll get the line connected with Virgin and if the same pair is used and the sync rate is still appalling or worse than it was then we might as well just keep the Virgin connection as a backup and to watch stuff with.

If the sync rate is better (different pair) such that it's comparable to 3G but Virgin doesn't have the bandwidth then I can change to someone else later on. I think :)
 
Cheers for that - it looks interesting. Have bookmarked for when I get it set up...

I rang Zen, who were the previous ADSL supplier on this line here (have used Zen twice), to see if anything could be done to provision anything useful here (on the basis you might have some of the line stats from back then.. and were able to locate some of the details easily), it didn't take long to look at that available options since there aren't any.

The issue appears to be the line quality and/or star configuration wiring in the house (BT wiring - though opinion seems very divided as to whether that's to blame) not the line length. But, thanks for that help too :)

Virgin is about £20 a month all-in for (cough) unlimited broadband (staff deal). Or as much as can be shoved down that pipe anyway. I can't help but feel there's a connection between the unlimited use and the reported poor ADSL speeds. But it's a cheap and cheerful (hopefully) backup to 3G, Zen is 49.23/mo for the same thing (both inc ine rental, I have no desire for a phone service anyway)

Fifty pounds a month for a meg and a half of bandwidth sounds mad. But then I do realise most of the cost is paying BT's Wholesale prices which don't vary by speed achieved, were it not for the natural limit of the performance of the phone line I wouldn't be comparing Zen ADSL and Virgin ADSL.

If I ever do move somewhere with no cable and a broadband capable phone line which can beat or even compete with 3G, I'll be back :)
 
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