Review of Plusnet Broadband Your Way PRO
- The UK's first dedicated broadband package for gamers
- Totally prioritised gaming traffic
- Low latency and low ping rates
- 15GB usage allowance with ability to add more as needed
- Free wireless router
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PLUSNET has always given priority to gaming traffic through its proprietary games signature recognition technology, but now with over 6000 of its customers reportedly playing their X-boxes and PlayStations online regularly, they have developed a broadband package specifically for online gaming.
And what a broadband gaming package it is.
Ramped up
The Plusnet Broadband Your Way Pro uses Plusnet’s old games signature recognition technology - where various popular games were given digital signatures which were recognised by Plusnet and prioritised on the network - and ramped it up to recognise not just games signatures, but anything that looks like gaming traffic.
The result is the UK’s first and only truly dedicated broadband package for online gaming.
Low latency
Plusnet Broadband Your Way Pro promises low latency and ping, and therefore much less lag which, in the heady world of online gaming, can quite literally mean the difference between life and death.
Well nobody’s dying in real life, but too many characters have died unnecessarily, ok?
The broadband offered by Plusnet for this package is the usual up to 8Mb reliable and fast Plusnet fare, with 15GB of data usage during the day and evening (this was 10GB, but it has recently been increased).
Don’t panic, you can easily add more data to the package for as little as 75p per GB, or just get Plusnet to charge you the extra amount at the end of each month (you can set a maximum cap).
Truly unlimited downloads
Brilliantly, Plusnet allow absolutely unlimited data usage from midnight to 8am, which is absolutely perfect for late night frag-fests.
While there is just a one month contract, you can commit to Plusnet for 12 months and get a free wireless router thrown in and the activation fee is waived.
It’s not just gaming that this Plusnet Broadband Your Way Pro package is suitable for.
Ideal for broadband calls
The low latency and ping rates also make it ideal for VoIP phonecalls and we’d argue this is the best broadband on the market for anyone who uses Skype.
And if it’s good for Skype, you just know its going to be great for Ventrilo and Teamspeak too, so no more delays when ordering the 14 year old South Korean kid to give you cover!
VoIP users will also be pleased with Plusnet’s free 240 minutes of anytime broadband phonecalls offered each month with the package.
Support
Plusnet also offer 24/7 UK-based support via a geographic 0114 local number, as well the option for a static IP address, should you require it.
So, if you are a gamer or have thought about plugging your new console into the world of online gaming, there is no doubt that Plusnet’s dedicated gaming package should be on your shortlist.
To find out more about the other broadband packages that are good for online gaming, and who deem to be the best, see Julia Kukiewicz's excellent Best Broadband for Online Gaming investigation.
A little more detail
Broadband
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Special Note.. |
Any good? |
| Package Name: |
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Pro |
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| Connection Type: |
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ADSL |
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| Max Speed: |
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8Mb |
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| Usage Limit: |
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15GB (Unlimited off-peak) |
Add extra if you need for a very reasonable price per GB |
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| Hardware: |
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Wireless Router |
Free when you sign up for 12 months, otherwise starting at £50 |
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| Anti-virus Protection: |
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Yes |
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| Firewall: |
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Yes |
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| E-mail Account: |
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Yes |
Unlimited email addresses |
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| Webspace Provided: |
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Yes |
250MB of webspace |
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| Domain Included: |
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No |
.co.uk domain names available for £1 per month |
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| Backup Dialup: |
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Yes |
Free 0808 dialup number |
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| Consoles Supported: |
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All major consoles supported |
Plusnet gives all gaming traffic the highest priority on their network |
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Payment, Installation and Contract
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| Payment Method(s): |
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Direct Debit / Credit Card |
| Activation Fee: |
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£40 (or free if you sign up for 12 months) |
| Installation: |
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Free |
| Minimum Contract: |
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1 months |
| Line Rental: |
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BT Line Rental required |
| Support: |
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0114 (geographical) telephone support, plus excellent email support |
Actual User Ratings
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At a Glance
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Bundle details: |
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Phone: Not included |
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TV: Not included |
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Mobile: Not included |
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It is best suited for: |
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Gamers wanting the UK's only dedicated gaming broadband package. Also excellent for internet telephony (VoIP) such as Skype. |
Customer Reviews
Remember, the customer reviews below are subjective (and are not the opinions of ChooseISP.co.uk).
dean from stoke on trent writes... 13/05/2008 "Broadband Your Way Pro is a brill package would tell anyone to get it. Downside is dont expect to see your game voucher!"
Alex Hislop from Birmingham writes... 10/10/2007 "I was a Plusnet broadband customer already but switched over to the Broadband Your Way Pro about 10 days ago. At first I didn't notice a huge difference, but after a few days I really can tell. I'm definitely more competitive now. I recommend this Plusnet package for gamers."
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