Sky TV, Virgin Phone & Web - Advice Please

infaddict

Hi everybody, this is my first post so please go easy on me. My husband and I are hoping you lot can assist us and point us in the right direction

I currently use Virgin for my phone line and broadband. I have a standard phone package (don't use phone too much, mainly on evenings) and the lowest broadband package (think its 2Mb with unlimited downloads).

I also currently have Sky TV (Sky+ box) with Sky Sports package and the Home & Leisure package (can't remember exact name).

Anyway, I'd like to try and save some money by switching everything to one provider. I'd also like to take the opportunity to upgrade to HD TV, so I was looking at the options available to move everything to Sky. I am happy to pay the £49 for the HD box.

The major sticking point is that my house doesn't have a BT line, so I am looking at how best to proceed. I can't really afford the £124.99 installation charge. I've read the many many threads/posts about this charge and I am also aware of the free installation (18 month, 10 calls per month, £11.75 per month) offer that is on this month.

Please can anyone offer some advice on how best to proceed? If I go for the free BT installation offer, then take a Sky talk package & Sky broadband package, how do I still make the 10 BT calls required each month? Or if this offer a non starter for me?.... Or do I miss out on Sky Talk and go for a BT package instead?

I've called Sky and they won't pay the BT installation for me. The best they can do (after threatening to cancel) is to credit me £40 onto my account when I upgrade with them.

So many options and small print, I must admit I am very confused. Any advice on the best/cheapest way to proceed is much appreciated.
Virtual beer is the reward for any assistance :beer:

utilitybroker

If you move to BT and switch your calls to Sky Talk you wont be able to make the 10 calls a month through BT using the BT override code 1280 as the system Sky Talk uses blocks it.

Sky can install phone lines direct see what they will charge you.Worth seeing if their give you any free or half price line rental.

Heinz

Small typo there infaddict.

Utilitybroker didn't mean "want" regarding the 10 calls a month, he meant "won't". That is a problem with the way Sky now provides its calls service but is one you can overcome if you have to make use of the BT free installation offer (you get a BT Calling Card and use that to make the necessary calls).

infaddict

Thanks for the replies.

My worry is that it seems that "1280" has been clamped down on, what happens if the "calling card" method is also clamped down, and I then have no way to make my 10 chargeable calls a month. Would there be any other way I could do this? If I don't make the calls, does anybody know what BT will do?

Heinz

Charge you the full installation price retrospectively.