New to broadband - Should i get a wireless or an ADSL line?

I am already conntected to Eircom with two connections in my home (upstairs and downstairs). I live in North dublin and there is broadband in the area.

Should I get wireless and does that permit me to avoid the line rental fee that I pay to Eircom or should I just build on what I already have and get a 1mb bundle from BT/Imagine?

To be honest I have no real idea about IT so any help would be appreciated.

Re: New to roadband - Should i get a wireless or an ADSL line?

Ishmael said:

Should I get wireless and does that permit me to avoid the line rental fee that I pay to Eircom or should I just build on what I already have and get a 1mb bundle from BT/Imagine.

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It really depends on your needs and wants.

If you get wireless broadband you can do away with the need for line rental. You also give up your dedicated phone line and have the potential of not being able to set up a SKYPE/VOIP alternative if your wireless connection isn't up to the job. [lots of discussion of wireless BB causing problems with Voip due to poor connections, check AAM and other sources]

Options such as Cable Broadband (through Chorus etc.) may also be available as ways to remove your land line costs.

Re: New to roadband - Should i get a wireless or an ADSL line?

I would defo want Skype - to be honest is there much of a difference and do u think i would get this sorted before Christmas?

Re: New to roadband - Should i get a wireless or an ADSL line?

Ishmael said:

I would defo want Skype - to be honest is there much of a difference and do u think i would get this sorted before Christmas?

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Much of a difference between Skype and a conventional phone line? Really it depends on the quality of your BB connection. You will notice some difference, whether it's enough to put you off the cost savings depends on just how good/bad your connection is.
(Do some homework on this before taking any action, some providers have [or at least did have] problems with Skype connections due to latency (and possibly other??) issues - Others here on AAM may be able to confirm what set ups work for them)

As for sorting before Christmas. If you go with wireless you won't have the delays of changing to a DSL provider (Eircom can be very slow in allowing the change over - so if you hope for one of the bundles like BT chances of having before Christmas are very slim). Not sure just how busy the wireless providers may be this time of year, but I'd be shocked if you couldn't have it sorted before the holidays kick in.

Fwiw, I have seen a number of complaints from people using a wireless service (namely Clearwire) to make Skype calls.

CCOVICH said:

Fwiw, I have seen a number of complaints from people using a wireless service (namely Clearwire) to make Skype calls.

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I believe some users with Digiweb (on the Metro package) have had similiar problems.

What is a VOIP?

Ishmael said:

What is a VOIP?

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VOIP stands for Voice Over IP.

It basically means your voice conversations are turned into digital signals and transmitted through your BB connection instead of through the usual analogue phone line (land line).

I've just got UTV broadband - which provides 2 meg broadband for 20.99 per month (9.99 for the first three months). This price includes free off-peak calls to all UK and irish landlines. Personally I think this is a pretty good deal.

Although it is charged on top of eircom line rental, wireless wasn;t really an option as i needed a phone line for Sky+. I ordered it about 10 days ago, my account has been activated and my wireless router was delivered today (looking forward to hooking it up!)

I don;t have any links to UTV - i just thought you might be interested if you want to get more bang for your buck. A similar package with Eircom costs 10euro more per month.