The problem with satellite is the contended bandwidth. My particular satellite provider (based in Italy) has a dynamic bandwidth allocation system that doesn't work very well. At the moment I should be getting about 300kbps but in reality I am getting about 80kbps. Sometimes the speed is very impressive, overnight I usually get about 900kbps. My main problem now is that they have just announced a 6Gb per month download limit :-(

I'm now looking at changing provider, which means realigning my dish which is a real pain in itself.

Life would be so much simpler if BT hadn't put that damn fibre down.

I'm looking at moving to a different provider (probably Satdrive) where speeds are normally pretty consistent at about 300kbps but often can be up to 4Mbps and they have no limits on downloads.

300kbps doesn't really compare to DSL but it's still 6 times quicker than a modem

Regards

Geraint - Tynemouth Rise [1]

Ashok - Ealing Chase [2]

I'd be interested to see how many people are prepared to get broadband in Monkston.

I've been quite tempted to order another line and request ADSL on it, however reading your page it seems a bad idea as BT will simply need to install copper straight from the exchange to my house, which, somehow, I don't think they would be prepared to do.

Regards

Vimal - St Helens Grove [3]

Taza - Tynemouth Rise [5]

I share your pain. I've been here since 2001, with no DSL due to our fibre local loop. Interestingly, the Kingston side on Monkston is copper, not fibre, so there could be opportunities for a wireless workaround!

VDSL is available now (over fibre), as is Ethernet, but BT are not good at being at the forefront of technology!

I have ISDN, but only because BT screwed up when I moved in, and then had to install a line card for Monkston to fix their screw up, but the anytime, ISP options are extremely limited.
 
I'm happy to participate in any broadband campaign you want to put together, although after two years of my own efforts, I am not terribly optimistic, because of BT's 'don't care' attitude!

If there are enough of us, there are other possibilities:

Leased line, maybe we could have a 2Mb link installed, and then distribute the service via wireless (802.11x) ?
 
Always happy to help.
 
Regards

Dale - Abbeydore Grove [7]

I too am crying out for Broadband, I live on Monkston and work in Reading and therefore I do a lot of commuting.

I have been told that if I can get Broadband then during our quieter periods I would be able to work from home.

I have, like you, tried many avenues. When I first tried to get ADSL I actually had an installation date, only for it to be cancelled without any explanation.

I only managed to find out why it was cancelled when I actually called them and still they could not offer a reasonable explanation. 

It is only because I have a friend who works for a local ISP that I managed to find out what the real problem is which is we use the Bradwell exchange and this, like you say, runs on fibre and not copper.

I hope you have success in your bid to get Monkston ADSL and please include me in any lobby group that you may get together. 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Ian [8]