I'm on whatever screaming.net /localtel calls itself these days. After an initial set of teething troubles it seems to have settled down and is reasoanbly good, I find. I suspect that it may be uneven in different parts iof the country. But I wouldn't rule it out - the cost of telephone rental goes up this month, but it's still fairly low. There are now no charges whatever for Internet access 24 hours a day.

We needed a second line, so took up an NTL offer of a line plus basic cable + free 24 hour Internet access, whcih was cheaper than a second line from BT/Localtel. (It's not available in all oparts of the country.) But they are a bit slow in sending out tyhe software to make use of the free Internet access (though they write grovelling apology letters, even when you haven't complained). Also their phone lines don't work with some kinds of modem, so check. (Though the free Internet access is available even if you are using a non-NTL line.)

But whatever you choose, the important thing is to have free 24 hour Internet access. It changes the way you use the Internet, and makes it a lot more fun. Dip in and see what's going on on the Mudcat any time you pass the computer.