Digital TV Cost Cutting Article - Discuss What You've Been Offered

jeffcarolt

Hey_Dude wrote:

I pay £25 a month for 8 meg.

I'm not a techie - so I've no idea how to check the actual speed I get.....

It seems okay - just curious if 2 meg would result in a massive slow down....

Duder

Here is another speed check http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/

devonpilgrim

I have been having the same dilemma as a lot of people - do I swop to Virgin Media or not?

Currently I have:
One Tel for phone £10.00p/m
Sky+ (managed to get if for free about 6 weeks ago - with no tie in - don't ask long story) and no monthly charge.
I do have Sky Sports as DH can not live without - £34.00 p/m
AOL Broadband £15.00 per month
18185.com for international calls as my entire family live abroad as do my DHs (lucky family!). calls about £30.00per month
Total £89.00 per month

Anyway I spent hours (and I mean hours) on the phone to all parties and in order to receive similar from Virgin Media it would mean going onto the VIP pack and this was £85.00 per month all in but I would need to pay for my international calls.

Sky countered with an offer of £50.00 per month but this includes:
Line rental £11.00
Sky+ with Sky Sports package £34.00 per month
Broadband 2Mb FREE
Talk unlimited £5.00 per month
This includes unlimited national and Local calls 24/7 at no extra cost BUT importantly to me it includes 24/7 unlimited international calls at no further costs so my total costs for the month should stay at £50.00 as long as we keep away from the 08 and 09 numbers! (I know - saynoto0870)

So if the math is right a saving of £39.00 per month ! :rotfl:

But I have to say Virgin couldn't touch the Sky deal - for me - but it does all depend on what is most important to you. Phone, TV or mega fast Broadband.

jeffcarolt

devonpilgrim wrote:

But I have to say Virgin couldn't touch the Sky deal - for me - but it does all depend on what is most important to you. Phone, TV or mega fast Broadband.

Did you have a look at the talktalk deal a think they have an international phone call and free broadband also included is the line rental at about £21.00. Not sure where the international calls are for though ?

devonpilgrim

I haven't but I will now. I have not given anyone my MAC code yet so there is still time. Thanks

devonpilgrim

jeffcarolt wrote:

Did you have a look at the talktalk deal a think they have an international phone call and free broadband also included is the line rental at about £21.00. Not sure where the international calls are for though ?

Just checked TalkTalk and they work out at £4.99 per month more. So Sky still has the edge. Thanks again for taking the time to give me the info though.

Hey_Dude

LEE69 wrote:

http://www.speedtest.net/
for a broadband speed test

I get download 3940 kb/s
Upload 354kb/s
Latency 66ms
Server London
Distance 100 ml

I'm a techie thicky - what does this mean - as I've said I'm shelling out for 8mb with Telewest?

MTIA

Duder

Hey_Dude

jeffcarolt wrote:

Here is another speed check http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/

With this one I get:

3,920 kbps download
362 kbps upload

I'm now getting worried.

This test seemed to have a speedo where my speed never hit the 4mb mark and I'm paying for 8 mb....

Am I doing something wrong?

Duder

jeffcarolt

Hey_Dude wrote:

With this one I get:

3,920 kbps download
362 kbps upload

I'm now getting worried.

This test seemed to have a speedo where my speed never hit the 4mb mark and I'm paying for 8 mb....

Am I doing something wrong?

Duder

No you are paying for up to 8MB download. The only people that will get that speed are people that live very close to the exchange. You are getting close to 4MB which is a lot better than most. Have a look at the samknows website that I posted earlier that will tell you what you can expect (and that's a rough guide). Unless you do large downloads you should not really have a problem at 4MB. If you really want fast download speeds then go with Virgin/NTL if they in your area (Cable) as you would get a better download rate due to being on cable.

after re-reading your posts you are on telewest that is cable isn't it? Give them a ring they may have you on the wrong download speed. I am not that up on cable so I am unsure what the restrictions regarding download speeds are. But suspect they have incorrectly capped you at 4MB. When on the phone get some credit for your missing 4MB!

WELSH_BOY_3

Just phoned sky to threaten to cancel (due to not being able to afford subsription). they acceppted without offering anything. Kids now crying and wife not happy.
They have given me a cancellation date, are they likely to phone back and discuss or not. whats bets way forward?

allan2006

nope sky didnt ring me back during my months notice, been a whole week now, boy do i miss sky1

but virgin medias offering does look tempting......