BT Vision

babe-ruth

Hi all, sorry if this has been posted before but i was wondering if anyone here knows exactly what bt's 'Activation fee' is for?

We currently have a package with bt (ends today) for vision, broadband and phone. We tend to use just over our 10 (gb or mb can never remeber which it is) each month so thought we would go the next step up to 40 (gb/mb) for just an extra £5 per month. Thing is, it talks about an activation fee of £49 but i can't seem to find out if i still have to pay this as i'm not a new customer.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

adamc260

I'd give them a quick call, I don't think realistically they can charge you to 'activate' a service that already exists... all they're doing is increasing your monthly download cap and nothing else.

penrhyn

Find the Samknows website, do an exchange search, find the LLU operators, choose one, (say Sky if its an option) get your MAC from BT and move.
BT Vision is just Freeview, why pay for it?

babe-ruth

Thanks both for your quick replys. Penrhy, i'm afraid i don't know what a LLU or MAC stands for and also i like the 'catch-up' facility with BT vision and extras you get that you don't get with just freeview.

Buzby

You've identified that the service you use most isn't actually provided by BT Vision! There are many different add-on devices (from Apple TV, YouView, to Humax boxes) that give access to enhanced services without any need for any ongoing subscription.

The only caveat for streaming services, is that if you use them a lot (and I use them in place of terrestrial) that any BB you have is capable of providing the bandwidth without costing you the earth).

macman

Or access iPlayer via Freesat with a Humax Foxsat box.

almillar

AFAIK AppleTV doesn't do iPlayer.
iPlayer on something that plugs into your TV, and you have an aerial and no dish:
YouView (Freeview HD recorder, plus on demand stuff like iPlayer, £250)
PS3
A computer connected to your TV
A 'smart' TV, which you'll have to check, and may have iPlayer built in.

[Deleted User]

Lots of Blu-ray players have iPlayer-many of them cost far less than the decoders mentioned here.

tiredofpoorservice

Thanks for all this. I'm not very technical so not sure that I completely understand what I actually need. If I ditch BT (yay!) then what sort of phone line provider do I need? ie How much broadband (this is bandwidth, right?) would I need for a YouView box? Any specific recommendations? I really don't need or want anything other than a phone line and internet. No mobile. No Wii. No blu-ray. No subscription to lifestyle channels. Sky Sports 1&2 would be nice but I've lived without them so far.

However, I would like a service which is reliable and has reasonable customer service (chance would be a fine thing...).

Thanks for any more help.


TOPS

penrhyn

For YouView its best to have an unlimited contract, this is because if you stream a lot of programmes it will eat up your bandwidth.
If you are willing to take a chance with Talk talk they will do you a YouView box for £50.