For someone that isn't highly bothered, how important is the Contention Ratio?? I mean what difference will I notice between 20:1 and 50:1??

 

http://www.uk-broadband-provider.co....es/help.htm#2b

Bigger the contention ratio, the slower your potential, actual speed. If you're sharing your bandwidth with 49 other hardcore downloaders, don't expect to get your full speed.....

50:1 is fairly normal for domestic ADSL BB.

 

At the best of times, it will not make any difference. At the worst of times, you could be sharing your 512k or whatever bandwidth you have with 20 or 50 people.

512k between 50 people is only 10K download speed - that's worse than a modem

If you live in an old people's estate like me you are probably ok though

 

What a load of horlics

 

Get back to work Jamz.. Lazy Fooker making Wayne do it all

 

Wayne is currently reading the paper

 

Er, no, 512/50 = 10.24

Theoretically, if all 50 people are downloading at full pelt, 10K is all you are going to get... Why do you think contention ratios exist ??? Cos without them, ISPs would not be able to cope with the bandwidth demand placed on them (oh, and BT).
Look carefully at your DSL contract, you may find that the minimum bandwith you are guaranteed by your ISP is between 4 and 15K, not 512K !

Still a load of horlicks ???

 

yup

 

How so ?