Virgin.net BB -problem changing provider -help!!

nitinpatil

Hi Guys

I have taken virgin.net BB and when i called them they said its datastream connection. I heard that you cant switch your datastream connection to another provider who got IPStreaming.

can anyone suggest whats the best way to get the cheapest BB provider using IPStraming? I have got the MAC address from Virgin.net , please guide me in right direction.I dont want to pay high setup fee.

Thanks in advance

Regards
Pats

sachinwadhwa

I have migrated from Virgin to ADSL4Less with no problems !

5MINSALONE

Hiya

have you tried the following website, somone on the forums there are sure to be able to help

http://www.adslguide.org.uk/

HTH

nitinpatil

sachinwadhwa wrote:

I have migrated from Virgin to ADSL4Less with no problems !

Hi sachinwadhwa

Thanks for info
Did you ask them whether they were using datastream or IPStream. Virgin.net randomly select datastream /ipstream connection , I got datastream , I will check with adsl4less people.

Thanks again
Pats

Simpson

Another possible reason that the migration might fail is if you are on a 'Datastream' platform. We use 'IPStream' and unfortunately it it not possible to migrate from Datastream to IPStream as yet. ISPs we know of who use the Datastream platform (on all or some of their lines) are:

Tiscali (some)
Virgin/NTL (some)
NetServices (all)
Gio Internet (all)

scottmartin

As far as i can remember, I read something ages ago saying that Datastream to IPStream migrations and vice-versa would be available from March 2005, but don't hold me to that. You're lucky that you're with Virgin, even though you're on Datastream, as Tiscali wont even give out MAC keys to those customers (like me) who are actually on IPStream, and who could me migrated easily. This is all to do with the fact that Tiscali are upset that they are losing out on the migration market because they mostly use datastream, whereas most users are IPStream, so therefore little possibility for migration.

BigAde

Was about to migrate from Virgin to ADSL4Less myself when I read this.

No idea if I'm on IPStream or Datastream... I seem to remember there's a way to check by running some sort of utility... can anyone shed any light on this?

So... if I read this thread right, I will need to be on IPStream with Virgin to be able to migrate to ADSL4Less who use IPStream. Is this right, or am I missing something!

scottmartin

To migrate to IPStream yes, you need to be on IPStream already. Virgin should tell you if you ask them, alternatively if they have very unhelpful staff like Tiscali did when I asked, you could go the hard way by asking BT Wholesale, who sell the service to Virgin. I didn't actually do this though, as a nice lady at OFCOM found out for me. Alternatively, you could wait until Datastream -> IPStream migrations are possible, which as I said before, coudl be March, so if I'm right, not too long to wait.

Have you checked with anyone how good ADSL4LESS are, as I kinda remember the name in a bad light for some reason. If you're looking for cheap yet reliable, and you're not an excessive user, PlusNet have got some good deals on at the moment, and I don't think I've ever heard a bad word said about them, and if you're not happy after 2 months, they will actually pay for you to leave, if this involves a disconnection & reconnection. You can migrate to them for free, but only if you're on IPStream already.

Hope this has helped

Scott

BigAde

For anyone interested, I found the test you can do on your line to see if it is IPStream or not... all detailed here:
http://www.adslguide.org.uk/qanda.asp?faq=troubleshooting

Bit confused myself still, because couldn't get the bt_test login to work (indicating DataStream), but could get the bt_speedtest to work (indicating IPStream). Have emailed Virgin to get confirmation.

ADSL4Less website definitely states they are IPStream, so guess I will have to be IP Stream on Virgin or wait until DataStream to IPStream connections are allowed.

Scott - yes, have looked at PlusNet, but their 512K uncapped package costs £22/month compared to ADSL4Less cost of £15/month. Have heard good things about ADSL4Less (Hotchilli) which is why I'd rather choose them over, say, EFH Broadband who have not had such a good reputation in the past.

scottmartin

BigAde, do Virgin have a facility to let you check how much data you're actually downloading each month. I though that I would need an uncapped package, as I'm online a lot, downlaod quite a lots of large files, and I also have XBox live and frequently 'game' online. However, upon checking my usage via the service provided by Tiscali, I've only once ever gone over 2Gb in one month, so for me, I think a capped package would be suitable.

With PlusNet, if you know what you expect to use each month, you can change the download limit if you select the 'Lite' package, and specify the number of GB's you want each month, after you have signed up.

Just something to think about, as I'm always wary about thinks that seem too cheap, which ADSL4LESS does to me.

Thanks for the link, very useful.

Sun

Scott,
I am on ADSL4Less...no problems till now, works perfect.....recommended.

btw...I migrated from virgin only.