AOL Doubling ADSL Speeds For Free?

Neil · 06-02-2005, 12:15

The ususlly reliable www.ISPReview.co.uk has in interested thread running.....

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/talk/showthread.php?t=17687

If it's true then why would anyone get ntl's Freedom ADSL with a 5 gig limit, when they can get AOL's uncapped service?

The other thing is that AOL's helpline is free (via an 0800 number), whereas ntl charge 75p per minute.

**Paul M** · 06-02-2005, 14:45

Do you still have to suffer the crap AOL software ?

Halcyon · 06-02-2005, 14:58

I never knew the words "free" and "AOL" could go together in the same sentence.

Gareth · 06-02-2005, 15:00

I know there are ways of circumventing their crappy s/w, so it shouldn't be a problem..... dunno if I could handle the stigma of having an AOL ip address though :o

Hopefully this'll lead to similar packages at similar prices from others. Where AOL treads first, others will surely follow

Matth · 06-02-2005, 22:19

Interesting - and I made a DUN connectoid on a friend's machine, and it worked fine, straight in with the Software not running (though I suppose you still have to load the crap to register).

512k uncapped, for the price of NTL's 300k slightly capped, or forthcoming 1Mbit moderately capped.
No news server (AOL recently dumped newsgroups) instead of a now working quite well, but somewhat limited news server.

There has to be a catch, other than the stinking AOL software - 512k unlimited at that price would be killer.

Neil · 07-02-2005, 11:53

Looks like it's true.....

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02...oadband_speed/

DieDieMyDarling · 07-02-2005, 12:31

This is really big news. Is it definately staying uncapped? If it is ntl are gonna be picking up the pieces.

Ntl jumped the gun, offering faster speeds, thinking the cap wouldn't bother too many people because of the higher speeds, it won't be such a sweet pill to swallow now that other services are offering the same lower speeds, and almost the same higher speeds, but with no cap.

This has made my mind up for sure, i'm going to AOL when the caps come in on ntl. Not a doubt in my mind now. In fact i might even go before it comes in.

Neil · 07-02-2005, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieDieMyDarling

This is really big news. Is it definately staying uncapped? If it is ntl are gonna be picking up the pieces.

Ntl jumped the gun, offering faster speeds, thinking the cap wouldn't bother too many people because of the higher speeds, it won't be such a sweet pill to swallow now that other services are offering the same lower speeds, and almost the same higher speeds, but with no cap.

This has made my mind up for sure, i'm going to AOL when the caps come in on ntl. Not a doubt in my mind now. In fact i might even go before it comes in.

Don't feel obliged to go to AOL for uncapped ADSL, there are plenty of other suppliers out there.

http://www.adslguide.org.uk/isps/compare.asp would be a good place to start.

DieDieMyDarling · 07-02-2005, 13:04

I'm in Northern Ireland though, our choice is limited, it's the only reason i've stayed with NTL, even when they were having huge problems with email etc.

etccarmageddon · 07-02-2005, 13:15

oh dear! NTL are now over priced compared to AOL!!!

AOL offer 1mb for Ã‚Â£25 or 2mb for Ã‚Â£30 a month

currently NTL offer 750k for Ã‚Â£25 and 1.5mb for Ã‚Â£38 a month

doh!!!

oh hang on - this will happen over the next 6 months!

Kevin.Beaumont · 07-02-2005, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Don't feel obliged to go to AOL for uncapped ADSL, there are plenty of other suppliers out there.

http://www.adslguide.org.uk/isps/compare.asp would be a good place to start.

AOL offer broadband over NTL's Network, though - other suppliers don't.

You can now use AOL from Linux, as somebody has put together a software package which authenticates you without any of the AOL software (obviously) - so the same should be true for Windows.

Matth · 09-02-2005, 18:07

http://www.the-scream.co.uk/forums/t12323.html

Not quite the one I was looking for, but it would appear you can use AOL broadband without going near AOL software at all.

Why mess around like that?

Well, can you get as good a package/price, from any ISP that's half as competent?

It sure blows apart NTL's rather self-serving price comparisons, after they "dumped on" AOLs 256k - I think I'm drawing a line in the sand now... let's see if anything changes with NTLs proposed speedups, as I'd quit 1Mbit/5Mb for 512k/unlimited like a shot! - 5Mb would probably be ok, but I don't want the worry.

scrotnig · 09-02-2005, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

If it's true then why would anyone get ntl's Freedom ADSL with a 5 gig limit, when they can get AOL's uncapped service?

Basically because it's AOL.

There are loads of good ADSL providers out there to choose from other than AOL, and you can bet that their speeds will adjust in due course as well.

Be warned, AOL is for newbies, anyone wanting any semblence of control over what they do on their PV should steer clear.

Juan · 09-02-2005, 19:30

The AOL site says only AOL Gold (1Meg) is available to NTL users, 512kbps and 2Meg for BT lines only:

http://www.aol.co.uk/products/broadb...l?promo=228937

testcard · 23-02-2005, 17:08

Ok aol is not cool name but has more street cred then ntl

Do really need their software?

What restrictions are there on aol?

Are you able to use your router?

Thirty quid for 2megs on a BT line is not bad