In these parts, we need all the help we can get with our broadband connection. The pitiful speeds offered via the big players may be OK for the occasional download and checking of emails, but if you want to do big-boy stuff like watch iPlayer, download movies and maybe even upload data to websites, youβll need something with more oooomph!
Luckily, there is a solution to this problem and it means that we donβt have to hang around for 4G to see if that delivers the speeds it promises.
Last year, after some really appalling customer service from my ISP, I finally dumped them AND the traditional copper-wire (where I was only able to get a snail-like 0.5-1.5 Mbits/s download speed) and headed off to Tooway Direct who provide Broadband by satellite. In the quest for a speedier connection, they offered a workable solution, even if it did mean having another Satellite dish on the house. I did my research and carefully considered the pros and cons of the satellite-route. In truth, there were some downsides. The one that everyone quotes is Latency (the time taken for the connection to make the trip from the PC to the satellite and back again). Itβs much longer than either copper-wire or fibre-optic but thatβs really only a problem if you play first person shoot-βem ups, where the delay might cost you a life or ten. Iβm not into the gaming scene, so it doesnβt bother me.
At the time, the only other downside was the price. Compared to BT, Sky, Virgin and the like, you would have been paying more β especially as you got into the higher speeds of 18 Mbit/s.
The OLD pricing strategy
OK, thatβs the downsides! and for me, the pros easily outweighed them. Here are the ones that attracted me:
If you have a question, you get through to a human being based in the UK every time you call, thereβs no hanging on for ages, and both the sales & support team are very knowledgeable. Compare that with the big players and youβre onto a winner already!
The speed quoted is the speed you actually get, more or less ALL the time
You can fit the kit yourself or get someone in to install it
..and if thatβs not enough, Tooway just announced a major revamp of its packages β and itβs even better news for existing and new customers.
Speeds are UP β Now itβs possible to get 20Mbits/s (up from 18) β and thatβs 20Mbits/s 99.9% of the time in my experience. Since the install, the speedβs rarely dropped more than a 1Mb from the advertised speed β whatever the time of day – so youΒ get what youβre paying for with none of this βtheoretical maximumβ nonsense!
Data allowances are UP too.Β As youβll see above, on the OLD packages, usage was capped, and although that wasnβt an issue for most people, it was always a concern about using up your quota (actually, not quite the end-of-the-world as Tooway offers βbolt-onsβ that allow you to buy extra chunks of data to get you through). The revamped packages shown below now offer an unlimited option, (although youβll need deep pockets if you want that facility 24/7). However, more realistically, they have now introduced unlimited downloads during off-peak (11pm-7am), which means that you can queue your stuff overnight and it wonβt impact on your monthly allowance β sweet!
For me personally, itβs all good news. TheΒ packageΒ I was on (called βTooway 18β – 18Mbit/s) now gets a boost toΒ 20Mbits/s, and, I get an increase in my monthly allowance from 26Gb to 30Gb, for a few extra ££s per month. If you donβt want to go crazy and spend quite as much as I have, there are cheaper packages β see below – but the real plus point is that they all (except the βSβ) offer FAST connections of 20Mbit/s!!!
The NEW pricing strategy
Speed results today
So, a very happy bunny this end β thanks Tooway!
I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s!Β My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here β it’s all done with love!
I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!
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