Trying to figure out how to change providers

madmish00

Ok so here goes....

We are currently with Virgin Media - XL TV, 20MB Broadband and Anytime calls. I have wanted to move for some time partly because my of work (cannot connect to my works server through Virgin or Sky for some reason) but have stayed with them because of the free ESPN (other half likes UFC and it was £10pm on its own) and because of the cost of getting a BT line installed to switch. However, I have noticed on my bill that my £11 loyalty discount is due to end on 1st July which would increase my bill to £67.14 a month. We have also just found out that the UFC contract has gone to the new BT Sport channel as of 1st Aug so perfect opportunity to move.

I have priced up and to get all of the channels we want the best option appears to be:

Sky TV Entertainment Extra £26.50pm (currently offering free HD box and installation and £100 M&S voucher)

BT Infinity Broadband £16pm (currently 6mth free and £25 Sainsbury's voucher and includes BT Sport on Sky platform free)

BT phone £10.75pm equivalent when paid annually (currently offer free line installation)

So I know that I would need to give 28 days notice to VM to cancel and deal with retentions pestering me to death. But I'm not sure how I time ordering the others. Obviously I need the phone line installed first because apparently the Sky Box needs to be connected to a landline for activation. But I need the Sky to be set up so that I can get the BT sport with my broadband....

It's all very confusing!

Anyone know how this would work?

Thanks

Buzby

The BB option is very much second rate - cable delivered BB is vastly superior to ADSL which has lower speeds and higher intention rates (multiple customers accessing the same available bandwidth).

You may be able to get a better deal by feigning departure !

macman

Sky box does not need to be connected for activation. You can buy out the landline connection requirement at sign-up for an extra fee of about £20. And it's not enforced anyway, unless you have a Multiroom sub.

[Deleted User]

Buzby wrote: »

The BB option is very much second rate - cable delivered BB is vastly superior to ADSL

BT Infinity is not ADSL.

iniltous

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

BT Infinity is not ADSL.

And VM cable isn't vastly superior to FTTC VDSL, and in some cases not even superior to ADSL either, contention ( not intention) is not even an issue

MartinSpoon

Buzby wrote: »

The BB option is very much second rate - cable delivered BB is vastly superior to ADSL which has lower speeds and higher intention rates (multiple customers accessing the same available bandwidth).

You may be able to get a better deal by feigning departure !

This is nonsense. Firstly, the OP is looking at Infinity (Fibre VDSL) not ADSL. Even on the "up to 38" package, speeds average above 30Mbit/s in the real world.

(http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2013/03/14/average-uk-broadband-speeds-hit-double-figures/)

Secondly, Virgin is not immune from problems. When too many people are connected on a single node (local connection point) the service can be contended. Virgin are notoriously bad at responding to this, and seemingly, incapable of forecasting demand for it .

(http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Virgin-ridiculous-Broadband-problems-caused/story-17122675-detail/story.html#axzz2T9erVXaa)

They also have a serious of inexplicable problems, such as the inability to stream video (e.g. YouTube) on a broadband line that should be more than fast enough. It's been the subject of several forum threads on Virgin's forums since September 2012 and it still hasn't been fully addressed. There's a similar speed problem with Playstation 3s. Virgin, seemingly, have no idea how to fix it.

(http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Up-to-60Mb-Speed/Video-Services-Buffering-Constantly/td-p/1481680/highlight/false)

madmish00

Thanks for your responses (though some are a tad technical for me!)

It turns out Infinity isn't yet available in my area - though it is coming soon.

Is the regular BT Broadband really that bad? My main issue with VM is that I can't get onto my works secure server through it (not sure of the technical reasons why - I connect with a RAS card and it apparently isn't compatible)

Also at the minute there is no confirmation that BT Sport will be available to VM customers and ESPN has been bought by them so don't want to get tied into a new contract with them

MartinSpoon

BT's non-Inifinty broadband (ADSL) is fine. They've recently made improvements so that you no longer get slowed down at busy times, and it comes with some useful extras like access to BT WiFi hotspots when you're not at home.

If want ESPN and/or BT Sport, for now, you will need to leave Virgin. If Infinity is not available in your area, then you don't really have much choice on broadband speed, just the provider (Sky wont offer you their fibre broadband as its reliant on the same BT network used for Infinity). Whether or not the speed is good enough for you depends on what you want to do. I live in the city and get good ADSL speeds of 15Mbit/s. I'm on the Internet a LOT, but I don't download lots of big files so generally I'm happy - everything I want to do (browse, youtube, iplayer) are perectly fine.

MartinSpoon

Back to your original point... I'd start by calling BT and telling them you want to move your phone and BB to them from Virgin. BT's new BB contracts are 18 months. You can ignore Sport for now. THEN call Sky and get that setup (TV only). Once you've done that, you can call BT sales and they will immediately activate BT Sport on your account - because you will have more than 12 months left on your BB contract you don't need to do anything else, just ask for the 'free' sport on sky. Do that before 1st August and you get HD for free

MartinSpoon

I meant to add... I'm not totally sure about the timing of cancelling your virgin service and setting up your new BT service, I'd ask the sales advisor when you call BT (you won't be the first to do this). If you want to order and online to get one of the online offers, suggest you phone and ask first (or use their webchat) to check.