Broadband Packages

I have been looking into various broadband packages available as I am usually asked to recommend one over the other.

BT broadband is still the one I would recommend because of quality of service for the connection. The customer support can be lousy though (I'm waiting 4 months to get caller ID enabled on the line, BT blame Eircom etc.) and sign up can take months to get enabled (My Uncle had ISDN and took 3 months to sign him up through various mistakes on their part, I have a full log which I might post later if anyone is interested)

Factors in choosing a connection are:

- Cost: Including Line Rental
- Type: Cable Vs ADSL Vs Wireless
- Service: Connection uptime and connection availability
- Contention Ratio: i.e. 48:1. This is the number of other broadband users in your area using broadband over the same exchange wire. The lower the better, business broadband packages usually offer 24:1 or lower, home user packages can be 48:1
- Contract Term: 6-12-24 Months
- Download Limit: i.e. 8GB, Monthly allowance of data you can download, usually not a problem unless you download movies or a LOT of Music over the connection.

Current BT costs are €40 per month including line rental (€25 per month for the first four months).

When comparing other packages standard Line Rental is usually approx €19 per month. All offer single billing now so you don't get a bill from Eircom for line rental and another for broadband services from BT.

Imagine broadband has recently come along. They are offering Always-On Broadband for €19.99 per month + Line Rental
Type: ADSL

Smart broadband is cheaper but just become available if you signed up early in the year. I know someone that just got switched on, but they signed up in March 05.
Cost: €35.00 per month (including line rental for 1st 100,000 customers, they don't tell you how may they have already though.)
Contract: 12 Months
Type: ADSL

IrishBroadband have a wireless product that requires Line-Of-Sight with one of their antennas (usually on a mountain somewhere). It is cheaper at €25 per month, as it doesn't use a phone line there are no line rental charges required. No minimum contract either. I tried to get this installed for a friend who lives within the catchment area and he could not get a signal so had to send it back, when it does work there can be dropped connection problems etc
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=283302
Type: Wireless

Only posted the options and costs involved as I have them to hand. I am on a 6 month contract with BT so can change to some of these others if not happy with their service after that time.