Moving from O2 to Virgin (fibre optic)

Pythagorous

Looks like Virgin have some very good bundle deals http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html/bundles/index.html

but what's the deal with fibre optic? Is it really much better than using normal phone copper wire? I've had a lot of issues with my broadband lately and having replaced the wireless box etc I've now come to the conclusion it may be due to the fact I have to use a very long phone extension lead so not having to use the phone line is a big plus.

I've found O2s customer service to be pretty good, but what about Virgin's?

Are there any other fibre optic companies to consider?

spike7451

First off,in order to go from O2 which is ADSL to Virgin,which is Cable,you need to have a Cable line installed into your property.This comes from the VM street cabinet to your home & does NOT connect into BT's exchange or wiring in any way.
Secondly,VM Cable broadband runs thru the same system & cabling as the TV & NOT your phoneline.
Thirdly, VM is Fibre Optic UP TO the Multiplexer (Mux) & DA (Distrabution Amplifier) which can be up to & over 1/4 of a mile from your home.From the Mux & DA it is COPPER wireing (Coaxial & Telco) to the street cab & then to your home.

If you were to get VM broadband installed,as I said above,a new line will have to be installed to your home,from the entry point to your home,a Coaxial cable is ran from there to the point where the PC &/or TV is.
Your point about your phone extension is mute as it wont be used.
This is the thing that annoys me about VM,they use the Fibre Optic as a selling point but, as I said many times before,it's only Fibre up to a point.

HTH,
Spike (Ex NTL/VM Service Engineer)

Pythagorous

Thanks, I was aware that it would go through a different line to the phone line which is why I mentioned its a plus (i.e. not having to use the phone extension which seems to have been causing me problems).

I presume VM install the cable for free? They have sent flyers through my door a number of times so I presume my area has the cable close by.

spike7451

Pythagorous wrote: »

Thanks, I was aware that it would go through a different line to the phone line which is why I mentioned its a plus (i.e. not having to use the phone extension which seems to have been causing me problems).

I presume VM install the cable for free? They have sent flyers through my door a number of times so I presume my area has the cable close by.

They should install for free,If you're getting 2 tv boxes & bband & are quite a distance from the street cabinet (also depending on type) make sure they fit the right drop cable,like an RG7.
Also make sure they check the signal levels with a signal meter before they go.
Lil tip,Bacon butties make the install go quicker.....:D

mk-donald

IN MSE mode : do remember to check what £back referrals are available too - eg TopCashBack have £120 on their site at this moment for "Virgin Media Cable sales" - see MSE site (which they are forever upgrading)
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cashback-sites-comparison/
under various Virgin Media... names I think

MKD

woody01

Pythagorous wrote: »

Looks like Virgin have some very good bundle deals http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html/bundles/index.html

but what's the deal with fibre optic? Is it really much better than using normal phone copper wire? I've had a lot of issues with my broadband lately and having replaced the wireless box etc I've now come to the conclusion it may be due to the fact I have to use a very long phone extension lead so not having to use the phone line is a big plus.

I've found O2s customer service to be pretty good, but what about Virgin's?

Are there any other fibre optic companies to consider?

Fibre Optic or not, Virgin BB is HEAVILY traffic shaped at peak times and only a very select handful get more than 25% of the speed they pay for.

C_Mababejive

I was on VM cable for BB only for quite a few years. I fell out with them after they insisted that i had to have my speed upgraded from 2mb to 10mb and pay more. I insisted that i was quite happy with the 2mb service.

The other issue with VM is that they have a retentions dept and so you find that whilst your paying the headline advertised price,others are phoning retentions and hacking out secret,cut price deals for themselves. There is also the "new customers only" deals.

And finally,there is VMs bad attitude when you finally insist on cancelling.

I am now with O2 BB ADSL LLU product up to 8mb for £7.50 (?) per month as i also have an O2 PAYG mobile.

O2 customer service has been excellent and a recent technical issue with a faulty line was persevered with and sorted.

Are you on the LLU product or the BT wholesale product? Whats the issue your having?

Maybe we can advise or maybe a trip over to digitalspy forums may assist?

Frying pan>fire??