What is the best ISP? I need users to run some tests pls!

red_ice

hey, i play alot of games on the internet and im sure we all know that boils down to ping. I know it sounds a tad... odd, but i make a few quid playing these games, and my ping time just wont cut it when it comes to what NTL have to offer these days. I dont download much, mainly updates, thats about it. NTL told me that my biggest download in one month was 13 gigs.

I was one of the first people in dublin to get cable from NTL, and up untill about a year ago (UPC) my connection has gone to utter crap. Im sick of it, i've been calling NTL explaining my problems to complete idiots who havnt a clue what they are talking about. Put it this way, on my 15th (or so) call i mentioned my ping, and that they have overloaded their switches, and that tracerts are showing stupid pings in certain areas they put me through to india or something to NETGEAR's help desk. Im getting nowhere with these people, and i dont want to give them my business anymore.

So, if it would be possible for people to ping the servers i've put below (at peek time, 6-9pm) and tell me what ISP and service you are using, you would be helping me, and im sure alot of other people out. It should only take a minute, just go start -> run -> ping -t 22.222.222.22.

Server 1: 193.238.84.49 (uk)
Server 2: 213.48.150.9 (uk)
Server 3: 195.200.192.137 (de)
Server 4: 82.96.64.97 (hu)
Server 5: 83.221.155.160 (dk)
Server 6: 80.84.250.101 (nl)
Server 7: 83.168.202.179 (se)

heres my replies for tonight (22nd jan 2007)

---

ISP : NTL
Service : 3meg
Time Taken : 7:30

Ping times (average)
Server 1 ping : 290
Server 2 ping : 280
Server 3 ping : 310
Server 4 ping : 340
Server 5 ping : 310
Server 6 ping : 320
Server 7 ping : 320

---

I have a fresh install of windows, my machine is in pristine condition. The ping jumps around the 5th hop on a tracert for me, to which before hand i have a 16 ping average.

Thanks for your help

Creamy Goodness

ISP: BT
Service: 3meg
Time taken: 19.40

Ping times (average)
Server 1 ping : 26ms
Server 2 ping : 30ms
Server 3 ping : 51ms
Server 4 ping : 39ms
Server 5 ping : 56ms
Server 6 ping : 32ms
Server 7 ping : 59ms

kmick

Ping times (average)
Server 1 ping : 25
Server 2 ping : 28
Server 3 ping : 51
Server 4 ping : 39
Server 5 ping : 53
Server 6 ping : 32
Server 7 ping : 62

BT 3Mb - very happy with service overall. If you have a problem forget it tho.

dazftw

NTL: (3 meg) load of balls tonight!

Server 1 ping : 300
Server 2 ping : 315
Server 3 ping : 340
Server 4 ping : 308
Server 5 ping : 380
Server 6 ping : 333
Server 7 ping : 366

Pretty much the same as you and your from dublin I live in waterford!

Are BT available in Ireland? Have you guys have any trouble with them?

dazftw

Crap I need a phone line! Hmm who offers cable broadband in Ireland?

red_ice

thats excellent, BT looks great - its all about ping for me. Never the less i know alot of people in the UK who have BT and say its absolutely terrible. I have a friend up north whos dad works for bt, and he says theres a big future for them. Afaik they have incorporated a 24mb connection in wales for the first time and its meant to be the mutts nuts!

Still need more ISP's for this, keep em coming

Thanks!

Creamy Goodness

the thing is, the bt products that were quoted by myself and others are the exact same as eircom's/UTV's etc.

red_ice

So eircom and UTV's ping times will be the same? All 3 of those will be the same in that case then?

thebman

Yeah well it depends on how each bitstream provider handles certain technical aspects at their end as understand it with regard to routing etc.. which would effect pings. They are all just reselling eircom product though. You should wait for someone that knows what going on with regard to bitstream to come online as I could be wrong.

What you really want is a Magnet customer and a Smart customer to post their pings as they provide their own broadband services separate to eircoms.

bk

brim4brim is right, BT, UTV, Digiweb DSL and a few others all resell Eircoms wholesale Bitstream DSL product and therefore should all be relatively similar. However once it leaves the Bitstream network and handed over to the ISP, it might be handled differently by each ISP, depending on what sort of routers they have, bandwidth capacity, if their are connected to INEX or not (that is NTL's main problem, it isn't), their backhaul provider, etc. can all potentially make a difference.

However in general most of the Bitstream providers seem to be similar, with Eircom and BT being two of the better.

You should also look for pings for Smart and Magnet as they use completely their own equipment and networks. I've heard very good things about Smart with low pings and them tuning a persons BB for low pings if requested.

Cuddlesworth

Ntl's routing went to hell tonight in Dublin and more then likely affected most users. Me included.

If you are interested in good consistent pings then get a eircom line or a reseller of that line and drop Ntl as they only seem to be getting worse as time goes by. I'm thinking about my options as well, but I am limited by the lack of a phone line and wireless coverage. For the moment I only play Wow really, but with some of the Fps coming out I am beginning to worry.

Gonzo

ISP: Eircom
Service: 3meg
Time Taken: 01.38

server 1, 19ms
server 2, 18ms
server 3, 37ms
server 4, 38ms
server 5, 38ms
server 6, 27ms
server 7, 55ms

dazftw

Thats better

NTL 3 meg

Time Taken 3.43am

Pinging 83.142.54.107 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 83.142.54.107: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=55
Reply from 83.142.54.107: bytes=32 time=38ms TTL=55
Reply from 83.142.54.107: bytes=32 time=36ms TTL=55
Reply from 83.142.54.107: bytes=32 time=36ms TTL=55
Reply from 83.142.54.107: bytes=32 time=41ms TTL=55
Reply from 83.142.54.107: bytes=32 time=37ms TTL=55
Reply from 83.142.54.107: bytes=32 time=42ms TTL=55
Reply from 83.142.54.107: bytes=32 time=41ms TTL=55
Reply from 83.142.54.107: bytes=32 time=38ms TTL=55

Note: this is a counter-strike 1.6 server in the uk

I was getting 300 - 400 ms earlier!

Gonzo wrote:

ISP: Eircom
Service: 3meg
Time Taken: 01.38

server 1, 19ms
server 2, 18ms
server 3, 37ms
server 4, 38ms
server 5, 38ms
server 6, 27ms
server 7, 55ms

Im liking them pings! Em is there much of a difference between Cable Modems and DSL? In terms of download speed and what not?

Cuddlesworth

DeafVision wrote:

Im liking them pings! Em is there much of a difference between Cable Modems and DSL? In terms of download speed and what not?

Cable can have around 10meg download, Dsl in this country is limited to around 3meg. Pings should be the same, but Ntl have started to route people all over europe, even if they are sending packets down the street. For games, if you plan on having 4 or more people play, a good upload(512k) is needed. Other then that there should be no relative difference between 1meg and 10 for gaming.

red_ice

DeafVision wrote:

Thats better


Im liking them pings! Em is there much of a difference between Cable Modems and DSL? In terms of download speed and what not?

those pings were nothing special, look at the time, its well past peek! I usually get something around that with NTL on off peek time. I wanna see those pings at 7pm at night, if it stays like that, im sold.

dazftw

red_ice wrote:

those pings were nothing special, look at the time, its well past peek! I usually get something around that with NTL on off peek time. I wanna see those pings at 7pm at night, if it stays like that, im sold.

Yea thats a good point actually! If there the same at like 7- 9 tonight I might go for it aswell! I used to be on Eircom and had no problems went to NTL for the speed but have had alot of problems!

Steffano2002

I would gladly post ping results with my Magnet (ADSL2+ not Eircom resale) but it wouldn't paint a pretty picture... Indeed, I think there's something wrong with my upload at the moment (around 150Kbps instead of 512Kbps).

Furthermore, Magnet use interleaving ("heavily" IMO) which means ping times suffer...

Basically, I have over 500Kbps when I download (although I'm only on 4Mbps) and my ping is rock steady! Problem is, ping is 100ms everywhere! And if you play at high level (seems you do) 100ms just isn't good enough as you get p@wned by people with 30/40ms...

I'm attributing my ping issue to either my upload problem (in which case maybe Magnet can fix it easily) or to the heavy interleaving (in which case I'm fooked cos I really don't think Magnet will do something about it any time soon)...

I'll post results this evening anyway to give you an idea although it would be better if other Magnet users did so...

Gonzo

those pings are usually similar 24 hours a day so pinging at 2am doesnt seem to make any difference to 7pm in the evening.

I pinged 2 more uk sites just now (2.45pm)

Pinging uk2.net [83.170.69.14] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 83.170.69.14: bytes=32 time=18ms TTL=59
Reply from 83.170.69.14: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=59
Reply from 83.170.69.14: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=59
Reply from 83.170.69.14: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=59

Ping statistics for 83.170.69.14:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 18ms, Maximum = 20ms, Average = 19ms

Pinging www.jolt.co.uk [82.133.85.65] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 82.133.85.65: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=58
Reply from 82.133.85.65: bytes=32 time=18ms TTL=58
Reply from 82.133.85.65: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=58
Reply from 82.133.85.65: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=58

Ping statistics for 82.133.85.65:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 18ms, Maximum = 19ms, Average = 18ms

ping tests using Eircom's Wireless 4port Netopia Modem

red_ice

ISP: NTL
time taken 14:50

Server 1: 35
Server 2: 25
Server 3: 50
Server 4: 43
Server 5: 40
Server 6: 70
Server 7: 80

fkin terrible.

Steffano2002

red_ice wrote:

ISP: NTL
time taken 14:50

Server 1: 35
Server 2: 25
Server 3: 50
Server 4: 43
Server 5: 40
Server 6: 70
Server 7: 80

fkin terrible.

Why aren't you happy with that red_ice?

Furthermore, I think people should ping 20 times (e.g ping 193.238.84.49 -n 20) and post the results to see if there is a significant variance between each ping test...

Cuddlesworth

Steffano2002 wrote:

Why aren't you happy with that red_ice?

Pings should be sub 50 to most parts of mainland Europe, as it is elsewhere in Europe. Just because we get crap pings doesnt mean we should be happy with them.

red_ice

Steffano2002 wrote:

Why aren't you happy with that red_ice?

compare my off peak ping times with that of cremo's on peak ping times all around Europe. that 30 ms difference to the last server makes a big difference. i'd prefare a consistent 50 all over europe to an inconstant 20-80.

Redisle

Irish Broadband Breeze 3mb:

Pinging 193.238.84.49 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 193.238.84.49: bytes=32 time=25ms TTL=53
Reply from 193.238.84.49: bytes=32 time=36ms TTL=53
Reply from 193.238.84.49: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=53
Reply from 193.238.84.49: bytes=32 time=26ms TTL=53

Pinging 213.48.150.9 with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out.
Reply from 213.48.150.9: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=53
Reply from 213.48.150.9: bytes=32 time=29ms TTL=53
Reply from 213.48.150.9: bytes=32 time=49ms TTL=53

Pinging 213.48.150.9 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 213.48.150.9: bytes=32 time=31ms TTL=53
Reply from 213.48.150.9: bytes=32 time=30ms TTL=53
Reply from 213.48.150.9: bytes=32 time=26ms TTL=53
Reply from 213.48.150.9: bytes=32 time=33ms TTL=53

Pinging 195.200.192.137 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 195.200.192.137: bytes=32 time=48ms TTL=50
Reply from 195.200.192.137: bytes=32 time=48ms TTL=50
Reply from 195.200.192.137: bytes=32 time=51ms TTL=50
Reply from 195.200.192.137: bytes=32 time=48ms TTL=50

Pinging 82.96.64.97 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 82.96.64.97: bytes=32 time=44ms TTL=50
Reply from 82.96.64.97: bytes=32 time=45ms TTL=50
Reply from 82.96.64.97: bytes=32 time=41ms TTL=50
Reply from 82.96.64.97: bytes=32 time=43ms TTL=50

Pinging 83.221.155.160 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 83.221.155.160: bytes=32 time=50ms TTL=113
Reply from 83.221.155.160: bytes=32 time=47ms TTL=113
Reply from 83.221.155.160: bytes=32 time=46ms TTL=113

Pinging 80.84.250.101 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 80.84.250.101: bytes=32 time=36ms TTL=118
Reply from 80.84.250.101: bytes=32 time=36ms TTL=118
Reply from 80.84.250.101: bytes=32 time=37ms TTL=118
Reply from 80.84.250.101: bytes=32 time=38ms TTL=118

Pinging 83.168.202.179 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 83.168.202.179: bytes=32 time=65ms TTL=44
Reply from 83.168.202.179: bytes=32 time=76ms TTL=44
Reply from 83.168.202.179: bytes=32 time=89ms TTL=44
Reply from 83.168.202.179: bytes=32 time=77ms TTL=44

dazftw

All tonight before 8pm

Server(1)
Pinging 193.238.84.49 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 193.238.84.49: bytes=32 time=1397ms TTL=54
Reply from 193.238.84.49: bytes=32 time=1567ms TTL=54
Reply from 193.238.84.49: bytes=32 time=1455ms TTL=54

Server(2)

Pinging 213.48.150.9 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 213.48.150.9: bytes=32 time=1317ms TTL=54
Reply from 213.48.150.9: bytes=32 time=1054ms TTL=54
Reply from 213.48.150.9: bytes=32 time=930ms TTL=54

Server(3)

Pinging 195.200.192.137 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 195.200.192.137: bytes=32 time=1283ms TTL=56
Reply from 195.200.192.137: bytes=32 time=982ms TTL=56
Reply from 195.200.192.137: bytes=32 time=1326ms TTL=56

You get the idea!

NTL FTW!!!

We should get 1 or 2 people to do a ping test every day for a week in the morning and the evening to see which ISP(all different tests of course) is the best im pretty much sick of NTL tbh

Steffano2002

DeafVision wrote:

We should get 1 or 2 people to do a ping test every day for a week in the morning and the evening to see which ISP(all different tests of course) is the best im pretty much sick of NTL tbh

What a great idea DeafVision! We should do this for all ISPs! I don't mind representing Magnet but I'm not the best person for this as I currently have a high Ping issue...

Steffano2002

Below are the ping test results on my Magnet 4Mbps connection. As you can see, the stability is out of this world! Improving on that would be impossible. However, Magnet's interleaving is unfortunately adding, in my opinion, around 40 to 50ms...

I would gladly sacrifice a little bit of stability if it means losing 40/50ms!!!

Ping statistics for 193.238.84.49:
    Packets: Sent = 20, Received = 20, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 53ms, Maximum = 56ms, Average = 54ms

Ping statistics for 213.48.150.9:
    Packets: Sent = 20, Received = 20, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 55ms, Maximum = 57ms, Average = 55ms

Ping statistics for 195.200.192.137:
    Packets: Sent = 20, Received = 20, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 69ms, Maximum = 71ms, Average = 70ms

Ping statistics for 82.96.64.97:
    Packets: Sent = 20, Received = 20, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 68ms, Maximum = 71ms, Average = 69ms

Ping statistics for 83.221.155.160:
    Packets: Sent = 20, Received = 20, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 73ms, Maximum = 77ms, Average = 74ms

Ping statistics for 80.84.250.101:
    Packets: Sent = 20, Received = 20, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 62ms, Maximum = 65ms, Average = 63ms

Ping statistics for 83.168.202.179:
    Packets: Sent = 20, Received = 20, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 78ms, Maximum = 80ms, Average = 78ms

Steffano2002

Forgot to mention that these tests were made between 21:04 and 21:13

red_ice

Steffano2002 wrote:

What a great idea DeafVision! We should do this for all ISPs! I don't mind representing Magnet but I'm not the best person for this as I currently have a high Ping issue...

isnt that what this is?

optiplexgx270

UTV 3Mb (with unlimited option enabled)

Server 1: 193.238.84.49 (uk) 25ms average
Server 2: 213.48.150.9 (uk) 32ms average
Server 3: 195.200.192.137 (de) 53ms average
Server 4: 82.96.64.97 (hu) 39ms average
Server 5: 83.221.155.160 (dk) 55ms average
Server 6: 80.84.250.101 (nl) 41ms average
Server 7: 83.168.202.179 (se) 64ms average

Steffano2002

red_ice wrote:

isnt that what this is?

Well no... He suggested every day for a week

JNive

1: Minimum = 34ms, Maximum = 121ms, Average = 68ms
2: Minimum = 70ms, Maximum = 144ms, Average = 107ms
3: Minimum = 61ms, Maximum = 150ms, Average = 105ms
4: Minimum = 61ms, Maximum = 116ms, Average = 77ms
5: Minimum = 62ms, Maximum = 129ms, Average = 83ms
6: Minimum = 83ms, Maximum = 168ms, Average = 132ms
7: Minimum = 91ms, Maximum = 183ms, Average = 128ms

tested @ 06:30 on Chorus - Cork