Trying to change provider - address not on database

samborfc1

Hi all hope someone can help me. I currently have Sky talk and broadband and the line coming into my house is BT. I am looking to change provider as not only is Skys customer service non existant, it is also quite expensive.

The problem I have is my address is not on any other providers database, so I can't order anything. The postcode comes up and my neighbours address comes up, just not my house.

I phoned BT who said it was nothing to do with them and I had to phone Sky. I phoned Sky who said there was no problems and they didn't know anything.
One of the providers suggested maybe BT or Sky was blocking my address so I couldn't change provider, but they both said this was rubbish.

I really don't know what the problem but all I know is I don't want to be stuck with Sky. Can anybody help?

Heinz

What does the Royal Mail database list against your postcode?

Click on the Find an address tab and enter just your postcode in the bottom line.

samborfc1

My address comes up fine on the Royal Mail website. Sky found my address so I can't understand why no-one else can.

Mark_In_Hampshire

Is the house quite new?

Some providers have a link to a live postcode (PAF) database and so the data is in real time. As soon as the address is on there, it shows up to the ISP. It can take a little time for a new postcode to show up on the database.

Some instead buy a subscription and have a static copy of the data held locally. Which means their data gets out of date relative to other providers.

It doesn't have anything to do with BT, and is entirely an issue with the ISP you've picked. Sadly, if they can't be more flexible, you will need to change your plans and go elsewhere.

samborfc1

Thanks for the reply, I just phoned Virgin Media and my address wasn't on their database, The lady said my address had to registered with Royal Mail for at least a year before I can get any Virgin products!
I find it unbelievable a company the size of Virgin media can only update their database once a year :mad:

iniltous

If you already have a BT line, then how did this get fitted in the first place if your address doesnt appear on BT systems ?...if you are paying line rental to BT and broadband and calls to Sky then I presume both these companys 'found' your address OK.....
Is it VM you are having a problem with, and is it VM's cable services you want ?, or can you only get VM to 're-sell' BT services to you, in other words are you in a VM cabled area ?, if its cable you want then it could be VM's own systems that dont show your address as 'cable ready', if its going to be a resold bt line, (just changing provider,) then they should be able to find your address from your existing line details,
BT put lines into newsites all the time without postcodes, quite often the address would be something like ,Plot 5, Wimpey development, Nowhere Lane, ... the BT new sites rep would normally liase with the developer to identify the correct property when service is ordered, this way the line can be installed way before the postcode is allocated by the Post Office

samborfc1

iniltous wrote: »

If you already have a BT line, then how did this get fitted in the first place if your address doesnt appear on BT systems ?...if you are paying line rental to BT and broadband and calls to Sky then I presume both these companys 'found' your address OK.....
Is it VM you are having a problem with, and is it VM's cable services you want ?, or can you only get VM to 're-sell' BT services to you, in other words are you in a VM cabled area ?, if its cable you want then it could be VM's own systems that dont show your address as 'cable ready', if its going to be a resold bt line, (just changing provider,) then they should be able to find your address from your existing line details,
BT put lines into newsites all the time without postcodes, quite often the address would be something like ,Plot 5, Wimpey development, Nowhere Lane, ... the BT new sites rep would normally liase with the developer to identify the correct property when service is ordered, this way the line can be installed way before the postcode is allocated by the Post Office

Thats what I was thinking, the BT line was here when I moved in, and Sky had no problem setting up the phone line and broadband so I don't understand why Virgin can't find it.

I emailed one of the top guys from Virgin and he said " I can confirm that we absolutely do not have fibre-optic cable service in your area", but I knew that anyway, I thought you could get Virgin through your existing phone line?

macman

You can get Virgin National services through your BT line-not VM cable. The former is just a resold BT Wholesale service.

samborfc1

macman wrote: »

You can get Virgin National services through your BT line-not VM cable. The former is just a resold BT Wholesale service.

That is what I am trying to get, I put my postcode into the website and it says

"You're in a Virgin Media National broadband area You're not in a fibre optic cable area, so we can't give you TV. But we can give you Virgin Broadband using your existing phone line."


But then I put my address in and its not found :wall:

macman

Why on earth would you want Virgin National? As I said, it's just a resold BT service-you can get that much cheaper from many other resellers.

samborfc1

Can you recommend any good ones? I just Picked Virgin because I've never been with them, plus you get 50 free photos a month

I just put my house number and postcode into the BT broadband website and it was not recognised! How is that possible when I have a BT line in my house?

I don't understand how this all works