[niley]

I've had permanet installed now for 2 weeks (the Biz 2MB service). When I ordered the service, they told me there was about a 3 week lead time. 2 and a half weeks later they rang me to arrange a time to install it, and so a week after that I had broadband, in the middle of nowhere Kerry.
Initially I wasnt too pleased to be honest, as opposed to the 1512 download speed I had ordered, I was getting ~ 600. Also they'd only given me an internal IP, not the public IP I ordered the Biz service for in the first place. I rang them up the next evening, they told me someone from technical support would get back to me. The following day someone did ring me back, I told them my woe's, they said they'd pass the public IP request along to whoever it was that handled such requests, the guy also said he was noticing alot of errors on my connection, with would probably account for my poor speed results. He said they'd "keep an eye on it" (Didnt believe that for a second).
Later that day someone rang me back regarding the IP request, asked me 2 questions, 1, what was my firewall software, 2, what was my anti-virus software. Evidently they dont want their network brought to a halt by someone with a few rogue processes running on their PC. They must have been happy enough with the answers, as before lunch I had an email with my public IP.
For about 1 and a 1/2 weeks I put up with the dismal download speed, Then I rang them again, but this time I never got the promised call back. 2 days later I went up onto the roof to check out if there were any branches of trees or anything in the way, and to have a look at the antenna alignment (permanet will tell you you've not supposed to touch their equipment, so dont blame me if you annoy them). Before permanet ever installed their antenna Id chopped the top of some tree's which I knew were going to be in the way.
Anyways there was nothing in the way, but sure enough the antenna wasnt aligned correctly. The guy installing it had an RF signal strength meter with 4 or 5 leds on it, but I could tell just by looking at the antenna it was pointing way off line. So I pulled out a spanner, realigned the antenna by about 0.5 of a degree, and went back to check on the download speed. right away it was running at 1488, close as be damned to 1512.
So anyways, Permanet works at the speeds it claims, provided enough care is taken when installing it. Its technical support is Ok, but they dont always ring back, especially with claims of reduced speeds being the problem. The connection drops for 10-50 mins at a time, at random times, only once have I seen an explanation for this on their Service Status section of their website.
Also, I forgot to mention, according to my GPS, Im 8.2 miles from the Base Station.
And if you read all that, fair play to you.
-Niall