Moving broadband from Virgin to Sky - a mistake?

Ellie12

Hi

I'm shopping around for a new broadband package as Virgin have gone ridiculously expensive for what I need.

I have the phone/basic tv/broadband package. I never use the phone, rarely watch the TV and use computer/tablet for gaming, occasional downloads & general surfing.

I've now twice called Virgin to cancel, they have managed to convince me not to leave twice as they say Sky's broadband will be far far slower than Virgin, which was recently put up to 30, though i didn't even notice!!!

Virgin say the speed Sky are offering is nothing like the 11-18Mbps stated as most of this gets 'lost' in the wires providing service and I will most likely get 3. Is this the case and is 3 really bad?

I'm very confused. I don't want to sign up for a 12 month contract and find I cannot use my computer or tablet very well.

Is this just a sales pitch to get me to stay?

Please help!!!

p.s answers gratefully received in laymens terms please, I'm not very computer literate :-(

macman

Yes, cable speeds are ultimately higher than standard ADSL speeds. The main imitation with ADSL is your distance from the exchange. However, if Sky are quoting you 11-18MBps, then there is no reason to believe that that you will only get 3MBps. Try the speed tester on another site such as BT or Plusnet and see what it indicates: speeds should be similar, and 11MBps may be enough for you.
You are however aware that any ADSL service requires an active BT-based landline, which you don't have on a cable service? So you will need a landline provisioning or reconnecting. Your existing VM cable line cannot be used with any other provider.
Sky's LLU service is generally very good. Sky Connect is dire-which are you referring to?
What are your other LU options? Do an exchange search on www.samknows.com to find out.

Ellie12

Hi Macman.

Thanks ever so much for your reply.

Interestingly enough I've just done a speed test on my virgin broadband and its come back as 19mb download and 1mb upload so hardly the 30 I was informed I have!!! Didn't know I could do that!!!

I am looking at Sky unlimited package. I'm presuming that's LLU, the exchange checker on sam knows indicates Sky is ok in my area

I understand a line will have to be installed/started up again, but at the moment it's only £15, which is offset by the £25 M&S voucher :-)

Think I'll bite the bullet and go with Sky - I can wait a few more seconds for my pages to open :-)

Thanks again. :T

Basil1234

also worth remembering you can pay your years line rental up front with sky and save £5 a month odd on line rental.

mazza111

The dd was with sky and was inundated with problems, but it could just have been her area.

I'm pretty sure there maybe hundreds of people who haven't had problems, like I've not had problems with virgin, I'm sure there are plenty people who have.

You're probably not getting the promised speeds because you're using an old modem, that doesn't go as fast as the line speed does

Paul_01

To give you an idea, I recently started with Sky broadband (LLU) with the promise of 12-19Mbs.

Having just completed the 10 day testing period, my router is syncing at 21Mbs, with speedtest.net showing a d/l speed of 17-18Mbs.

Virgin telling you that yours will be as low as 3Mbs is scaremongering.

You won't see any difference in general surfing to what you're getting now. If Sky are cheaper, I'd definitely encourage you to switch.

Teddie22

I have been with Sky unlimted b/band for 6 months now, and does NOT work at all. Sky's answer to tryin to fix the problem "Call a BT Engineer" We rewired the entire house with new phone cables etc and still does not work. BT are stumped as well and said its down to sky?!

The only time we get a good connection is between 2am - 4am. But constantly drops off or stops working for hours on end! Oh Sky customer Service is appaling. They run a line check at 230am. And found no faults?!

We are moving to Virgin Fibre Optic. Cant wait to have broadband back in our home.

pickoftheday

Cable broadband should give you at least 95% of the advertised speed, if it isn't then it needs to be reported as a fault and they should send someone out.

Don't forget that their are a lot of things that could slow your connection down, including Browser problems, network outages, wireless issues and using torrent sites.

The only reason I would move to Sky would be because of their Unlimited data allowance.

brainz

If you want peace of mind about the speed sky are offering ask for the mals(minimum access line speed).
This is usually much lower than the speed you will actually get but then( if i remember the statement correctly its somthing like) if your speed is below the mals and cannot be resolved through the steps sky reccomend in the first 3 months you can leave your contract without penalty in accordance with ofcom's voluntary code of practice on broadband speeds.
I agree with paul_01 though it sounds like scaremongering as even if it was 3meg which i seriously doubt that would be enough for what you have suggested you use the internet for anyway.
In response to teddie22 although i am not doubting he sounds to have had a poor experience its slightly unfair to say Sky customer service is appaling when ofcoms satisfaction report puts sky in first place for fixed broadband line rental and pay tv.