Local ISP or faster AOL?

I'm connected to Local ISP in my city and I get 28.8kbps connection with 56K. My friend is using AOL (same 56K modem) and get's 36Kbps. i read Pcgamer magazine and they said that local ISPs are better? How? When I play Tribes2,for example, I get 210 as the best ping (when I choose a server), my friend gets 180 on the same server (we live close). I play fine with 28.8, he gets CONNECTION problem every 15 seconds with 36!!! What's the explanation??? Better have 28.8 on local ISP then 36 on AOL?
Is AT&T a good ISP? Will give me better connection or slgish playing?
HELP!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

I don't know about at&t's service but it could be bad phone lines in your area. You could try to have the phone company test your line.

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AOL preys on very naive individuals. You might notice that it will tell him that he is connecting at 33.6 or even 56666 (which doesn't exist for dialup). Basically AOL is lying to you and having the software round up by a factor of 10 or something.

You should check your bandwidth vs his. You will undoubtly find that you are creaming him and you are paying less. AOL is due to increase their rates btw.

I was stuck with AOL for 30 days after Netzero stopped offering unlimited service a couple months back. I was very frustrated. I kept logging on at 53333 or 56666, but when I checked my actual bandwidth I was between 17K and 22K. It's a big gimic.

I now pay $10 per month, connect at 53333 and get a bandwidth in the 40's. I just checked right now and I'm at:
40.1 kilobits / sec.

You will have to check around and use the trials to find a good provider in your area. Then use an online bandwidth tester like the one I just used:
http://bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/

<font color=red>Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.</font color=red>
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Just think about what the internet's opinion AOL has been for the past 5 years:

"AOL BLOWS"

<font color=red>=P

Yeah, one of my friends uses the AOL CDs as coasters on his coffee table.


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