Right - so you can exchange one set of problems (which appear to happen rarely and have been fixed) for another. IB hasn't been as stable as I'd like to see - regular data pauses, mini blackouts... and their customer service stinks. To each their own...
I've never used MBT so I can't comment on their latest problem but to those who are thinking of switching to IB or using it as an alternative I highly recommend it. Keep in mind though they've had their share of issues so you won't be immune to the kind of problems you've faced with MBT, but I think it's always a good idea to have a back up broker for emergency purpose. Also for all our carping about IB's customer service, I noticed that it has improved greatly (in terms of cases being solved, quality of answers) and they even answer my call without the obligatory hold music on lol (I might call them once a month or something).
Heck, with all these people using MBT and seeing how MBT resolves its issue on this thread, I'd consider using it as my back up broker.
Aurum is correct. IB does have data pauses now and then. But nothing terribly long. It's true that no matter where you go, you won't be immune. If MBT upgrades some of that electrical equipment that went out, heck, it might be better now going forward. But that memory of that long outage remains and lack of trust.
But IB has $10 for inactivity fee, and the Java interface seems not so impressive as compared to navigator
In plain English, Utter BS. MBTX's specific routing is unknown to the trader. If you have an order that was open before their system goes dead, you have no idea of its status. Therefore, you are incorrect in saying you could hedge an order that was "stuck".