BT versus Sky - frying pan & fire?

millbrookhermit

Hi, I've recently moved home and am struggling big time with choices! Hoping someone can help!

I need fast & reliable broadband access, and also want to keep my existing e-mail address ( I was with BT at the old house, but am no longer locked into a contract with them) . When the kids are home from college they do a lot of watching stuff on i-player so I might need unlimited access in the package???

One of the complications is that I am trying to get a BT line at the new house, which is proving a nightmare. There was a business line but it seems to be impossible to get it converted to a residential line ( I have spent 2 weeks and pots of money calling BT to try and sort it but no luck so far). The alternative is £120 for a new line, which is obviously an incentive to do without a BT landline.

There is a satellite dish etc at the property so signing up to a Sky broadband package is an option ( the kids would like it, but I've resisted the temptation for the last 5 years so a bit reluctant to start now unless it really helps with the broadband)

I am on an 18 month mobile package with Orange but the signal at the new place is hopeless and I can only make a call from the top of the garden so not much help there!

I've read all Martin's really good articles on the whole broadband thing but it just makes me feel very thick and incompetent 'cos I still can't really get my head round it! If anyone can offer any advice I'd be really grateful!

One more thing -- I use Skype ( PC to PC) quite a lot to talk to the kids in Uni and for international calls to family and friends so that might be a factor in deciding what call package to choose?

Thanks in anticipation!

DatabaseError

for either sky or bt broadband you need landline.
if your BT email address is essential...you're probably stuck with BT
if sky have LLUed your exchange (samknows.com), and you have sky tv...it's a no brainer...unless a BT email address is essential.
even if you don't have sky tv, it's probably worth getting for the superb broadband...still cheaper than BT...but if you need your BT email address

456789

you can keep the bt email address for £15 or dial-up every 90 days there is a topic on it somewhere here

millbrookhermit

Thanks both - really helpful ( though haven't found thread on keeping BT address yet)
But it looks like I can't get Sky anyway, since my exchange hasn't been 'LLU'd)

So is satellite broadband something different then?

syko29793

you can keep the bt email as long as you use it once every 90 days (there is a £1.50 monthly charge if you dont access the email every 90 days and want to ensure it stays live)

5limJim

millbrookhermit wrote: »

Thanks both - really helpful ( though haven't found thread on keeping BT address yet)
But it looks like I can't get Sky anyway, since my exchange hasn't been 'LLU'd)

So is satellite broadband something different then?

satellite broadband is completely different and its a common mistake when people think of Sky and Broadband as they think its coming via satellite. Basically Sky purchased an internet provider called EasyNet soemtime ago, and they have a broadband offering they sell to their customers. You must have a Sky TV subscription to get the broadband, and the broadband carries a 12month contract.

Sky are/were doing an offer where you could get the Basic TV package for 17.50/month, telephone line rental with free evening and weekend calls for £10/month. and the broadband max (unlimited download) for £10/month. 3 months free line rental and broadband were part of the deal.

I've seen billboards with this deal advertised, and people on here have said that Sky will absorb the cost of the new install as well... worth giving them a call i reckon