Do I need a BT box to get phone/broadband from other companies such as orange?

CommitedToChange

Sorry if this has been answered I have searched but can't find what I need.

I'm currently with virgin but their prices are quite high so I was hoping to switch my phone and broadband to a cheaper company possibly orange. However I don't seem to have a BT box in my flat - can these other companies run their services through my telewest/virgin box or would I have to get a BT one installed to take advantage of their prices?

I hope this makes sense - I think I've confused myself.

Thanks

spike7451

If you are on Virgin National ie ADSL broadband,then the should be able to however if you are on Virgin Cable,then no,it's a physical impossiblity for a company such as BT/O2/Orange ext to run their broadband & phone service thru Virgin cabling.
This is because with Virgin Cable,non of their service goes anywhere near BT's telephony exchange.Virging Cable runs completely different to that of any other broadband supplier.
Spike (ex NTL/VM Engineer)

CommitedToChange

Thanks, how do I find out which one I'm on - should I just call up and ask or is it on a bill. Sorry for being dense

spike7451

Is your broadband modem connected to something like this & not a phone socket?
(DISREGARD the TV/FM tags on the photo)


If it's a box like that then it's cable,well,if you have one of these boxes,then it's cable.Thery're also found behind the TV on the wall & the may be a grey/brown or white box on the front of the house like this:

CommitedToChange

Ah thanks - Yep I have a similar looking box with one entry point that has telewest written on it. That box is connect to my phone line though.

Right time to fib to Virgin in the hope that they will lower my package price rather than lose me as a customer.

spike7451

They don't connect to the phone point,the isolator is CATV cable,not Telco.More likely your phone point is mounted next to the isolator.If you can post a pic that'd help.

CommitedToChange

I was going to add a picture of the box but it doesn't seem to want to let me - I'm not sure I'm allowed