Needing broadband - Is there a way to get it installed sooner than November(?!)

ecstaticstatic

I've just moved into my new flat and thus am facing the fun task of trying to connect broadband. I had a Virgin fibre optic (cable) connection in my old place but unfortunately there doesn't appear to be a fibre optic connection to this flat - Virgin customer service told me there was but the landlord states that there definitely isn't (but that it appears my neighbours may have fibre optic, so it exists in the building but simply not in my flat... apparently).

I began signing up for Talk Talk online (aware of bad reviews but friends in the area have good speeds) but upon reaching the section for booking an engineer (as this will require a phone line) I find that there are no available dates to install until the 7th of November! I knew it might take a little longer than cable (which took a few days at most from ordering to installation) but this seems like madness to me.

Talk Talk rep on the phone told me that all other providers will have the same availability of engineers and it did appear that way when I filled in the web form for Plusnet. I'm in 4th Year of university and, having important deadlines before November, really do require a good connection for both uni work and my part-time job. I would have begun the process of getting broadband sooner but I was forced out of my last flat as a result of a dodgy landlord illegally subletting to me without my knowledge, being forced out by housing association, what have ye! Only viewed and moved into this flat last week.

So basically, do I have any options that won't have me waiting until November? Talk Talk rep suggested I get a mobile broadband/dongle until they can connect me, but my knowledge of mobile broadband is that it is exceptionally slow... unless speeds have improved? Any help is very much appreciated!

Buzby

Speeds vary by time of day, use or network. Find out which provides the best signal for your requirements - this is the starting point only, as local usages can vary tha will affect your service. That said, it is better tan nothing - but only go PAYG, never a contract.

diamonds

Type your postcode in to Virgin on the middle right here: http://www.virginmedia.com/

Should inform you if available at address, I can get Virgin but the owner at the bottom of our block cant ??

ecstaticstatic

Done that thanks.. they say I'm covered but there's no fibre optic connection in the flat (it's a small studio, would've found it by now). Unless they'd be willing to cable me in but I'm assuming that may take even longer than going with talk talk!

Considering going with Samba mobile broadband for now and waiting for Talk Talk to come in November...

[Deleted User]

ecstaticstatic wrote: »

they say I'm covered but there's no fibre optic connection in the flat (it's a small studio, would've found it by now). Unless they'd be willing to cable me in but I'm assuming that may take even longer than going with talk talk!

Laying a cable doesn't take long, it's the availability of installers that determines how long you'll wait.
Ring Virgin and enquire, I agree their broadband is vastly superior to anything Talk Talk can offer.

diamonds

Virgin usually install within 4 weeks, if your address comes up you can order. TalkTalk, dont bother, the chief executive is great, answers emails but the team she has under her lie...

ecstaticstatic

Thanks for your advice, I'm going to explore the Virgin option a bit more tomorrow, hopefully I can work something on the phones with them... would definitely prefer that to Talk Talk hassle if possible as I have no need for a landline in the first place.

Pennywise2012

Interesting! I had to wait 7 weeks for a BT engineer to come out and install my Sky landline/broadband 'because of the Olympics'. I wonder what October's excuse is?

OP, I hung on as long as I could, but in the end I used BT Fon - it's not the cheapest, but you buy bundles of 24 hour passes. So you should be able to eek a month's worth out for the entire time.

skint_explorer

I would tell them BT or Sky have offered you earlier dates and you will go with them. Should make them shift a bit faster.?

diamonds

If you order Virgin let you select the date before completing the order.