Karoo ISP
Encyclopedia
Karoo is an Internet Service Provider
in the United Kingdom
. Formed in 1996 by Kingston Communications
, a subsidiary of the KCOM Group, it primarily serves consumers in Kingston upon Hull
and the surrounding area.
s Point of Presence (PoP) in Hull. This was set up with the initial formation of Demon in June 1992. Demon allowed users in Hull to make untimed 5.5p+vat calls to access the Internet via dialup accounts. Karoo followed on a few years after Demon removed their local PoP. Karoo Xtra allowed Kingston Communications customers 7 hours untimed access for the price of a 5.5p (+ VAT
) call charge (and a subscription fee of £15 per month).
This led to Hull gaining a reputation for being a so called digital city although many in Hull feel this would no longer be valid due mainly to the fact that faster and more diverse digital services are available throughout other parts of the UK.
residential line only.
As of April 2010, Karoo offers seven ADSL 2+ packages offering 24mbps downstream and 1mbps upstream connection (with exception of Karoo weekday that offers a slower speed of 64kbps in the evenings and weekends
). Karoo provides web space and POP3 email services with all packages.
In September 2011, the company began a six month trial of a 100 mbps service in the East Riding of Yorkshire
village of Woodmansey. Around 300 homes are involved in the trial. The trial is part of a plan to roll out super fast broadband to more than 15,000 homes across the East Riding of Yorkshire.
KCOM also offer ADSL services to customers outside of the Hull and East Riding area under the KCOM brand name.
As of February 2008 Karoo Broadband had approximately 81,400 subscribers.
Karoo has suffered criticism for disconnecting users on illegal downloading accusations.
from 2007 to 2009. Parent company Kingston Communications sponsors the stadium.
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Formed in 1996 by Kingston Communications
Kingston Communications
KCOM Group , formerly known as Kingston Communications, is a UK communications and IT services provider. Its headquarters is in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, where subsidiary business unit KC serves local residents and businesses with Internet and telephony services...
, a subsidiary of the KCOM Group, it primarily serves consumers in Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
and the surrounding area.
Service history
Before the introduction of unmetered, '0800' dialup Internet access and broadband, Karoo was one the first ISPs in the country to offer untimed Internet calls. It followed on from the success (or over success) of the Demon InternetDemon Internet
Demon Internet is a British Internet Service Provider. It was one of the UK's earliest ISPs, especially targeting the "dialup" audience. It started on 1 June 1992 from an idea posted on CIX by Cliff Stanford of Demon Systems Ltd. The branch in the Netherlands started in 1996, and was sold to KPN...
s Point of Presence (PoP) in Hull. This was set up with the initial formation of Demon in June 1992. Demon allowed users in Hull to make untimed 5.5p+vat calls to access the Internet via dialup accounts. Karoo followed on a few years after Demon removed their local PoP. Karoo Xtra allowed Kingston Communications customers 7 hours untimed access for the price of a 5.5p (+ VAT
Vat
Vat or VAT may refer to:* A type of container such as a barrel, storage tank, or tub, often constructed of welded sheet stainless steel, and used for holding, storing, and processing liquids such as milk, wine, and beer...
) call charge (and a subscription fee of £15 per month).
This led to Hull gaining a reputation for being a so called digital city although many in Hull feel this would no longer be valid due mainly to the fact that faster and more diverse digital services are available throughout other parts of the UK.
Current services
Currently, Karoo provides ADSL broadband services to customers within the Hull and East Riding region with Kingston CommunicationsKingston Communications
KCOM Group , formerly known as Kingston Communications, is a UK communications and IT services provider. Its headquarters is in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, where subsidiary business unit KC serves local residents and businesses with Internet and telephony services...
residential line only.
As of April 2010, Karoo offers seven ADSL 2+ packages offering 24mbps downstream and 1mbps upstream connection (with exception of Karoo weekday that offers a slower speed of 64kbps in the evenings and weekends
). Karoo provides web space and POP3 email services with all packages.
In September 2011, the company began a six month trial of a 100 mbps service in the East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
village of Woodmansey. Around 300 homes are involved in the trial. The trial is part of a plan to roll out super fast broadband to more than 15,000 homes across the East Riding of Yorkshire.
KCOM also offer ADSL services to customers outside of the Hull and East Riding area under the KCOM brand name.
As of February 2008 Karoo Broadband had approximately 81,400 subscribers.
Criticism
See: Monopoly IssuesKaroo has suffered criticism for disconnecting users on illegal downloading accusations.
Hull City A.F.C. sponsorship
Karoo was the home shirt sponsor of Premier League team Hull City A.F.C.Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
from 2007 to 2009. Parent company Kingston Communications sponsors the stadium.
External links
- Karoo Portal
- Karoo User Group
- Karoo forum at thinkbroadband.com
- Unofficial Karoo Forums