Speed or Contention ratio

[Jack-daniels]

Using ADSL Is it better to have a low Contention ratio or a faster connection when used mainly for downloading?

I wanted to go for a 1-meg connection with a Contention ratio of 20:1, but it seems to work out quite expensive.

Basicly should I drop to 512 or go to 50:1 Contention ratio.

Cheers

JD

[pablo69]

it all depends how many people are connected on the same line as you at the same time.i'm on 1 meg with 50:1 ratio and it seems to be fine.i'm no expert on this but i think it means worse case(e.g when your online and downloading,if there are another 49 people on at the same time.your bandwidth would reduced.what are the chances of that).

[Pegasus]

but i think it means worse case(e.g when your online and downloading,if there are another 49 people on at the same time.your bandwidth would reduced.what are the chances of that).

There will always be at least 49 others on at the same time (a whole lot more than that in reality).

I won't bore you with the technical details, but contention is actually applied on the backhaul to the ISP.
Providing the ISP has enough bandwidth (check out ADSL Guide to see who's rated tops), then you shouldn't really see the effects of contention.

In other words Jack, take the 1Mbit.

[Jack-daniels]

Thanks guys.

JD