Tiscali ...

[Lofty]

... have been my ISP for the past 15 months or so. And I've just about had enough.

Their fair use policy? Apparently they don't mind how much you download outside of peak hours, which are roughly 6pm - 11pm. Well that's nice. But I've never been able to download anything between around 5pm and 12:30am or so. And I'm not only talking p2p; with anything from rapidshare and download.com, for instance I'm lucky if I get dialup speeds on a 2Mb connection. And it's getting worse. Their traffic shaping or whatever the hell it is, now seems to take effect from around 3:30pm most days. Sometimes even Windows Update is effected.

Oh and web TV - and that includes live streams, SopCast. PPMate etc are also counted as downloads and are throttled something bleedin' awful.

But I've put up with it because I don't download all that much, and if I do want to download anything large it's not that big a deal to leave the machine on overnight now and again.

But the latest? I've been unable to send any emails for the past week or so - or rather I can send as many emails as I like but none of them have arrived. In case this was down to some local condition on my machine, like a trojan, virus, or even some cocked up security setting, I've been testing the situation by sending to and from various accounts - Yahoo, Hotmail and Tiscali, not only from my machine but also via Tiscali webmail.

Results:

Hotmail to Yahoo arrives in seconds, and vice versa

Yahoo to Tiscali arrives in seconds

Hotmail to Tiscali arrives in seconds

Tiscali to anywhere never arrives

I'd say that's fairly conclusive wouldn't you? And yet according to their website, email is at 100% efficiency, no service status problems are reported. Which is probably because every f*cker's been complaining but none of the messages have got through.

So anyway, now that I've proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Tiscali are a complete and utter pile of crap, what I'm wondering is - bearing in mind that I'm skint and that I do sometimes download large files, from this site for instance, a 100% legal source of free vintage films:

http://www.archive.org/details/moviesandfilms

and that most ISPs are likely to count Sopcast and PPMate broadcasts towards your download "allowance".- if anyone can recommend an alternative ISP?

[Modueke]

Lofty

100% agree with you, Tiscali Suck!!

Their customer service sucks, they connection sucks, and really cannot believe these clowns are still in business.

I moved from there quick smart, as they went downhill over the years.

I now use Eclipse internet, that are fantastic.

UK call staff, sort out any issues, and their service is brilliant.

If you PM me, I can give you a promo code

[loz]

Personally I am with Demon - I don't find them that competitive in terms of price (and I will probably be shopping around for a new ISP when I move so this thread interests me as well) however I would say that I download a lot and I have never had any problem with that.

[Lofty]

Thanks for the advice - I don't think I've finished with this yet by a long way. Just had an email from a friend with a Tiscali account who's been having similar problems.

Still nothing from their complaints department, even though I provided them with an alternative contact email. And Mod, I'll be having a good look round but will definitely be checking out Eclipse, among others so might well take you up on the Promo Code.

But before I can even think of cancelling/transferring I need to get hold of these tossers and get a Mac code out of them as well, something else I've heard countless horror stories about and another reason I've put off cancelling.

[Modueke]

Lofty

Before you go with a Mac code, (trust me, I had the same problem with them), you need to cancel.

Their codes are not worth sh*te, they are different format to all the big isp's, as they are not ipstream or are ipstream, one of the two, and when I left them, only Tesco internet uses the same form of code.

You will have to totally cancel with them, and re-apply with another service..

Meaning, you will be without web for 7 days (or more knowing Tiscali), then wait more to go with a new provider. I signed with Orange anytime for a month while waiting for it to sort out. Its dial up but can cancel anytime, when your new service is on. Snail speeds, but at least you can access to net while you wait (and to be honest, orange dial up during the wait, was quicker than Tiscali 2 meg).

It seems a long job, but to get off of those cowboys service, its worth it.. Don't line their pockets anymore.

[Lofty]

This is all very much what along the same lines as I've been thinking, and over the Summer is probably the time when I'll do less damage by not being able to get online.

Unless something changes rapidly, I'll be getting on to them after the Bank Holiday.

[Modueke]

Good luck, any call other than cancelling their service, gets diverted to a call centre in 'Somewhere far away', long waits, and a conversation with someone that doesn't speak English.

Best to do it during the close season, so your all ready to stream away.

Remember that info about Orange anytime Dial up, its ?15 a month, but its only 1 month minimum terms, so this makes a great gap for that time without broadband.

[Lofty]

Thanks I've got a feeling I'll need all the luck I can get.

I could always go for an (excuse the language) Aol free trial. It's ok I've heard plenty of horror stories about that lot. In years gone by, before they checked details before you singed up, I've done several consecutive free monthly trials and never had any problems cancelling. And if any Aol reps happen to end up reading this - I'm just a mouthy git. Try proving it sucker.

Anyway. You can't do that any more. But I just happen to have a never-been used Mastercard at my disposal - not bent, just spare - and that's all I need.

Believe me, there is no way in the World I'll be paying Aol ?19.99 per month for any kind of service. But it will give me up to 30 days grace to sort a move from Tiscali to somewhere sensible. Touch wood.

[Modueke]

Sure, but remember to grab the aol disk prior to Tiscali cancelling, as you will never be able to download the install at that speed and you will be paying some provider or another per minute dial up doing it. Install it while Bband still going.

Honestly, I'm not on commision (actually the opposite), but Orange anytime is good for a stop gap, quick, easy, no large software install like aol. One call when Bband back on, they cancel it no probs.

[Lofty]

Hopefully I've got an Aol disc lying around here somewhere .. I mean I can't have thrown them all away surely!

I take your point about Orange, which might be a longer term solution depending on whether their ASDL service has improved since it was initially launched. I know one or two people locally who are having similar problems with Tiscali, so I think I'll wait to see how they get on before pushing ahead with anything definite.

[Lofty]

Been looking at the list of broadband ISPs at ISPreview.com, this lot ScotDSL , formerly JJTEL Online look very promising:

Download speed up to 8Mb

Upload speed up to 448Kb

Free connection and migration

Unlimited bandwidth (No download limits)

No caps

No restrictions

No port throttling

No fair usage policy

No minimum contract

10 email addresses

Quick and easy to install

Easy monthly payments. No hidden extras.

Sounds too good to be true? Perhaps it is. But at ?15.95 per month with no minimum contract, it's got to be worth checking out.

[Modueke]

Looks good.

I heard if a company has different packages, ulimited or limited download GB. The limited GB per month packages are given priority speeds over unlimited in busy times, therefore getting the best of the network. I could be wrong, but this is what my isp told me.

[Lofty]

I'm a little concerned about how good the above package looks, and the lack of information on the company. Not to worry, I'll have another look around in a couple of days. I'm getting square eyed so need a break from the screen.

I've just had confirmation from my brother in law that none of the emails I sent him after the Champions League final got through either. And of course, Tiscali are still saying there's no problem.

[Modueke]

Its crazy, was getting the same probs with them last year, and its still happening.

Remember you have webmail on the net if you need to check for mail, as the problem maybe gaining from the server to your outlook/thunderbird Here

They are a bad company, that rely on advertising and getting people signed in for 12 months to a shat service. Go on their forums, they know themselves they are crap.

Tiscali "The Cheapest", you get what you pay for, and their not even worth that.

[Lofty]

I've tried that. Tried sending/receiving from two different Tiscali based accounts, one the LineOne email address I've had for years, the other one I created for the broadband account and never use for email. And the same thing happened; I could send but they never got anywhere.

I like the sound of ScotDSL but haven't managed to find enough info on them to encourage me to take a risk. In the meantime, I've been checking Eclipse's FPU:

[web]http://www.eclipse.net.uk/index.cfm?id=fixedfup_res[/web]

Even Option 1 should be more than enough, and the FUP restrictions only come in to play if you exceed these limits for two consectutive months. And besides that, from what I've seen, their reviews are much better than those for Tiscali and all the other usual suspects.

Now all I need is a MAC code. I'll be on the phone to them next Tuesday.

[Modueke]

Yep, thats the bunch, I'm not sure their the biggest firm, but they swung it for me, when I was browsing. Maybe a good thing that they are not the biggest. More customers killed Tiscali service.

I'm on their Home option, as Evolution has the 'Slower service during peak" as its unlimited. I think I get 10 or 20 gig a month? Not too sure now, but its more than enough, went a few gig over here and there, which came out to a couple of quid on top.

And see that, you get a month free (though the Tiscali Macs dont work there), and if I give you a promo, I get ?30, Milky bars are on me!!

Touch wood, not had any major probs with them, and connects perfect everytime.

A breeze after using Pisscali

[Lofty]

I haven't decided for certain that I'll be joining Eclipse, not just yet. I've emailed their tech support to ask whether the Tiscali-supplied SAGEM modem is compatible and how easy or otherwise it is to set up. Should be ok but I want to check first.

Also been reading up on the MAC code procedure. Which should be straightforward enough. But then Tiscali are involved so I won't be counting any chickens.

And yeah I saw the ?30 recommendation thing, so I'll let you know if I do decide to sign up with them. I'm also fairly sure I can find a friend or two to recommend in the not too disant future.

You're right about the size of the ISP as well. I'm that round here every other halfwit's got Tiscali - you can feel it slowing down as soon as the kids get home from school, then again a little later when everyone gets home from work. Tiscali's fault again for not providing enough bandwidth per user.

[Modueke]

I remember the old 6pm disconnects with Tiscali, lucky to get back on before 8pm, the good old days..

Of course, Don't be obliged to join Eclipse, I'm sure theres better out there if you look. I was going to join Pipex, though the Hoff advert put me off

[Lofty]

Of course, Don't be obliged to join Eclipse, I'm sure theres better out there if you look. I was going to join Pipex, though the Hoff advert put me off

Trust me, I won't. Feel obliged that is. I've been looking through the list of ASDL providers at ispreview.com and investigating the ones I like the look of.

Interesting you mention Pipex. I've recently read that they're having a clampdown on p2p/copyright offenders. Not that I want to open that particular little can of worms Then you've got the download limits. I think a complete match via Sopcast comes to something like 1Gb, so Eclipse's 20Gb per month peak hour allowance should be plenty. Without checking, I'm fairly sure that Pipex's allowances are a little lower than this, and it's the same with a lot of ISPs, unless you're willing to pay a fair bit more.

though the Tiscali Macs dont work there

This was when you switched? I think Tiscali have improved their MAC routines since then - not surprising they were forced to after so many complaints. And a good sign is that the "who are you moving from" list on the Eclipse sign-on screen includes Tiscali.

[Modueke]

Its going back to last year when I switched from Tiscali lofty, so they probably have improved the MAC routine since then, they "had to improve something on the list".

I believe, though don't quote me, that some kind of organisation mob were getting these providers to use the same system as the rest, as I switched from Tiscali.

Good luck in your quest to get off that network of clowns. Your connection will feel better for it.

[Lofty]

Don't worry I haven't forgotten. Not by a long way. The only replies I've got from them are emails telling me I need to phone between 9:00am - 6:00pm, which I've been too busy to do today. I'll leave it til I've got the best part of an afternoon free.

I've just been on the phone to another friend of mine. He and his Mrs has assumed their emails were ok but it looks like they're having the same problems as me. The email they sent me 45 minutes ago still hasn't arrived.

I'm slightly concerned that Eclipse, or whoever I end up moving to, won't be compatible with the SAGEM modem so that's something else I need to investigate.

[Modueke]

You get another with Eclipse Lofty, brand new modem, even so, the last one still works too, had the same on Tiscali.

[Lofty]

That's nice to know. I didn't see any references on their site so assumed it was a wires only service, which should be perfect for me because I've already got all the kit from Tiscali.

[Modueke]

Yea, its a wire jobby, but can pay more for wireless if its a must. One thing you need to know, if your using the sagem one, is that, is it set for higher speeds above 2mb?

Tiscali 8mb (when I was with them), was again like a circus act, never had the option, one said the line could, one said couldnt, you get the idea.. but apparently the modem I used then, could handle it.

The eclipse one is good to go (obviously depending on your telephone line/exchange etc).

[Lofty]

Latest I've heard is that my line should support the famous up to 8Mb. Some sites tell me the limit is 6Mb, but I'm really not that fussed. A hypothetical 2Mb is fast enough for me and then some.

As for Tiscali, they've finally discovered there's a problem. From their Service Status page:

Service Status Announcement:

Problems with outbound email

16:18:11 Tue May 29 2007

We are currently experiencing issues with outbound emails on our mail servers. This is not affecting all delivery addresses, some mail will continue to be delivered as normal, but some mail is being blocked by the receiving email servers.

Spam is a major issue for all ISPs and periodically all ISPs will be targeted by spammers. We unfortunately have currently fallen foul to such an attack and have been targeted by spammers using our service to send out spam, this in turn has meant other ISPs have taken measures to block mail being sent by Tiscali.

Our engineers are taking urgent action to block the spammers abusing our email service, this will progressively take effect over the next few days. We will post daily updates on the Service Status page and also within Forums until normal service is resumed.

In you are experiencing this problem and are not sure if your important mail is being received, we suggest that you temporarily use an alternative free email service

I could have told them that last Thursday