Plusnet Pro Broadband

• All traffic prioritised at all times
• Low latency and low ping rates
• Dedicated broadband package for gamers
• 20GB usage allowance with ability to add more as needed
• Totally unlimited between midnight and 8am
• Free wireless router and free set up

Plusnet broadband review: Pro

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 Xboxes and PlayStations online regularly, they have developed a broadband package specifically for online gaming.

And what a broadband gaming package it is.

Games signature recognition technology

The Plusnet Pro broadband 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.

Ping pong!

Plusnet Pro broadband 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 has recently been boosted from a 8Mb to a 20Mb service which promises to be the usual reliable and fast Plusnet fare, with 20GB of data usage during the day and evening.

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).

All you care to download

Brilliantly, Plusnet allow absolutely unlimited data usage from midnight to 8am, which is absolutely perfect for late night frag-fests.

The contract is now a required 12 months minimum, but you do still get a free 4-port wireless router (which supports up to 10 devices) as well as free activation and free set up - so there are no initially outleighs at all.

It's not just gaming that this Plusnet Pro broadband package is suitable for.

Excellent for Skype

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.

Peer-to-Peer

Plusnet Pro broadband is also a partically worthwhile choice for any download addicts, offering priority on all traffic at all times you'll never be watching the bits trickle in at 1Kbps again.

While this package is limited to 15GB inclusive download per month, simply schedule your peer-to-peer client between the hours of midnight and 8am (when usage is completely unlimited) - and you won't have to worry about hitting a limit ever again.

Outstanding customer service

Plusnet also offer 24/7 UK-based support via a lo-call 0845 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		Special Note...	Any good?
Package:	Pro	-
Connection:	ADSL2+	Telephone line
Max Speed:	Up to 20Mb
Usage Limit:	20GB (Unlimited off-peak)	Additional usage costs £2 per 2GB. Cannot be pre-paid.
Totally Unlimited:	Yes	midnight - 8am
Hardware:	Wirless 4-port router	Connect up to 10 devices
Internet Security:	None
Online Gaming:	All major consoles supported	Plusnet gives all gaming traffic the highest priority on their network

Payment, Installation & Contract
Setup Cost:	from Free
Hardware Cost:	from Free
Line Rental Provider:	BT (£11.54/mth)
Minimum Contract:	from 0 month
Payment Method(s):	Direct Debit / Credit Card
Support:	0845 (local rate) telephone support open 24/7, plus excellent email support
Choose a package option to see more details