Switching to Sky Plus Box from Virgin

Leodogger

I want to have a Sky Plus Box so that I can record movies but because I have Virgin TV and Phone I think I need to get a BT line back in. I know I was quoted ages ago over £100 to reconnect the line as we were originally with BT over 8 yrs ago.

Can anyone tell me the cheapest way to do this ?

I am also paying over the odds for my internet speed with them too at £20 per month and am getting shockingly low speeds although they say I should be getting 10mb min and I am getting approx. 1.5 to 2.0 mb download. They put it down to a USB connection and sent me a new router which uses ethernet which my old computer does not support. I am changing my computer therefore so am quite prepared to change internet provider also.

Thanks.

spike7451

Sky will work on a VM phone.As to your internet,you need a service tech out.
Spike (ex-ntl service tech)

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

If all you want is Sky TV, you don't need a BT line.

As part of the T&C's you're supposed to have the box connected to a phone line for a year, but that doesn't have to be BT line.
You don't actually need to have the box plugged into a phone line at all for it to work, though you may get charged extra at install if it isn't.

Edit : Sky can install your new phone line if you want Sky's phone/broadband, you wouldn't have to go to BT for it. Not sure about the price though.

Leodogger

Sorry I am a little confused. When I rang some time ago to switch to a Sky tv and broadband package the first thing they asked me was what was my telephone number. When I gave it to them they said I needed my BT phone line reconnected as sky does not run on cable ?

I am not very technical, am I getting things the wrong way round then?

spike7451

Sky Broadband wont work on cable,your Sky TV box,as posted by Phantom will work on cable as it works different from the broadband.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

As Spike says;

If you just want Sky+, you can keep your VM line.

If you also want phone & broadband, you'll need a new line, but Sky can arrange this for you, for a price.

Leodogger

Thanks for clarifying that for me. So how much would I have to pay does anyone know?

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Until someone can give you a definitive answer (if there is one), this is from the Sky website -

If you currently have a cable phone service and don't have an active BT line, it's still easy to switch...

If you are a new Sky TV customer and subscribe to Sky Talk Line Rental and a Sky Talk calls package and you don't have an existing BT line, we can arrange installation of a new line. We will inform you of the installation charge when you place your Sky TV and Sky Talk order.

jonnyb

you don't need sky+ to record things.

virgin have their own version, the v+ box.

you can upgrade with them ans save the hassle of needing a bt line.

and renegotiate all your services while upgrading.

it worked for me.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

If you want to go over to Sky, you need to check whether your exchange has Sky LLU presence. If not, you won't get their cheaper broadband deals.

InaPickle

I recently moved lock, stock and barrel from Virgin to Sky (TV, phone and broadband) a few months ago. It was the best thing I ever did! I paid £25 for them to connect the BT line as opposed to BT, who charge as much as you said (a friend of mine was quoted over £120 a year or so ago). They've come to some arrangement with BT over it, apparently. I don't know what to suggest if you have a long time left on your Virgin contract, but personally, if you are near the end of the contract, I would see what deal you could get out of Sky.

Good luck, whatver happens!