Moving to a non-cable area while under contract with Virgin

ichilton

Hi,

I've currently got Phone, TV (XL Pack with V+) and Broadband (Large) from Virgin Media. I've had it for a few years but I upgraded in December which tied me in to a 12 month contract.

I just called up Virgin Media because we are going to be moving in the next few weeks and they advised that our new house is not in a cable area, even though it's only round the corner on the same estate.

They then proceeded to tell me that because they can provide a national service there (i.e ADSL broadband over a BT line), I would either have to take that at £12/month + a BT line or pay £120 to get out of my contract.

They they advised that if I were to take their broadband offer, they then sign me up for a new 12 month contract!

Anyone had a similar problem?

Is there any way round this? - I assumed that because they can't provide my cable service they would have to let me out of the contract.

Thanks,

Ian

ichilton

Hi,

I wanted to go with O2 because I am going to get an iPhone soon (just waiting for the new version to be announced) so I will get it cheaper - and get extras like e-mail to mobile etc.

Ian

macman

ichilton wrote: »

Hi,

I've currently got Phone, TV (XL Pack with V+) and Broadband (Large) from Virgin Media. I've had it for a few years but I upgraded in December which tied me in to a 12 month contract.

I just called up Virgin Media because we are going to be moving in the next few weeks and they advised that our new house is not in a cable area, even though it's only round the corner on the same estate.

They then proceeded to tell me that because they can provide a national service there (i.e ADSL broadband over a BT line), I would either have to take that at £12/month + a BT line or pay £120 to get out of my contract.

They they advised that if I were to take their broadband offer, they then sign me up for a new 12 month contract!

Anyone had a similar problem?

Is there any way round this? - I assumed that because they can't provide my cable service they would have to let me out of the contract.

It doesn't work like that. They contracted to supply you at your current address, if you move to a non-cable area they're not going to come and cable that street just to supply you.

ichilton

macman wrote: »

It doesn't work like that. They contracted to supply you at your current address, if you move to a non-cable area they're not going to come and cable that street just to supply you.

Yeah exactly - if i'm no longer at that address and they can't supply (which isn't my fault!), they should let me out the contract I think!

Ian

macman

But you are missing the point. The contract is based on your present address. You are moving (which isn't VM's fault) before that contract is up. They're not obliged to supply you at any other address under that contract. As it happens, you are moving just around the corner-but using your logic you would expect them to cable you up if you moved to a remote island off Scotland.
Only a small percentage of the UK is cabled up.

ichilton

Yeah but I can't stay at my current address just because my Virgin contract isn't up....

Oh well looks like i'm stuck with taking their ADSL..

Thanks,

Ian

macman

At least the £120 saving will cover the cost of installing a BT line at your new property.

ichilton

That doesn't make me feel any better!!