Topic: ISP recommendations (UK)

Hello lovely NintendoLife folk

So I'm looking at switching my ISP. I'm currently on Sky Unlimited and I can no longer seem to play online with it, particularly in Splatoon where I'm constantly getting 'unstable connection' errors and then being booted off. Everything else works just not Splatoon. I've had a search online for solutions but none seem to work, Sky won't let me use another router I have to use their own and they have no online support just a premium phone number :/

So I'm saying screw those guys! I need my Splatoon! But I've no idea who to go with? I've been told BT Infinity 2 is good but I'm not sure I can afford near £50 a month, that's double what I'm paying now. So, do any UK folk have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Before you switch it's worth checking that the problem isn't the physical connection to your house from and including the street cabinet. If this is faulty all ISPs will have the same issue as they all share it (apart from Virgin Media cable). Do you get anticipated speeds/ping when you run a speed check on your connection?

I used an app called Ookla to test my connection. It tells me my download speed is 5.2mbps, upload is 0.2mbps and ping is 40ms.

Everything else works fine, Netflix, iPlayer, Spotify, general internet browsing. it's just Splatoon

Is that what you should be getting? Sounds like a poor ADSL speed (but still good enough for the apps you mention - barely), are you on fibre (FTTC) or adsl? You can see with the bt adsl checker if it's within expectations.

Can't the BT ADSL checker as it's not a BT line, but according to sky I should be getting around 11mbps and there are no problems in my area that they're aware of.

Thank you for your help so far by the way, it's much appreciated

BT line is irrelevant, put in your address it will work (it's the same cable/phone line from your home up to the exchange regardless of the provider, BT openreach manages this for everyone) rather than phone number. https://www.btwholesale.com/includes/adsl/adsl.htm?s_cid=btw_...

It's the address checker option (don't use postcode checker as it's not accurate). In theory all ISPs should reach the expected speeds with a working line.

Hhhm ok, that says:
WBC ADSL 2+: Downstream Line Rate up to 17mbps, Downstream Range 10-19.5mbps
ADSL Max: Downstream Line Rate up to 17.5mbps, Downstream Range 6.5-8mbps

Depends on what you're on ADSL max probably not a fault, ADSL 2+ likely a line fault (I would expect ADSL2+). Might be discussing with Sky about what you should be seeing and if they will do a line test.

Ok so I gave them a call, despite their site saying there were no faults on the line they do think it's an external problem that'll take a couple days to fix. No Splatfest for me this time

Going to see how they handle it and depending on that see wether or not it's worth moving. I don't like the fact I can't use my own equipment and have no online chat support for when this stuff comes up, so I might move anyway. I've registered interest with Virgin to get their system in my building as they seem to have the best reviews for gaming.

Thank you so much for your help!

That's ok, there may still be an issue after this is fixed but I hope it helps. If you use Virgin cable then you''l bypass all this though. Can't get it in my house