MSE News: Sky takes over O2 and Be broadband: What does this mean for customers?

shiprob195

dibs1975 wrote: »

We were due to switch to sky broadband at the end of this month and for the past month they have rang asking if we wanted to switch early. We rejected the first few times and the last time I asked what offers could they give to switch early. Now we get sky tv the entertainment plus package, unlimited broadband and phone for 12 months and only pay the line rental. The broadband router is syncing up faster than o2 did and so far had no problems. The o2 was at about 14-16 meg and sky is at 18-19 meg. Had doubts about switching but seem to have a good deal for now.

I phoned to get my MAC from o2/sky. Had priced up BT BB, Phone and TV. Sky put me through to retentions.

They offered me line rental for £14.50, free BB for a year, free entertainment+ and half price sky sports for a year.... so £25.50 for the month. took 2 weeks to sort out and install. The kids are thrilled!

teddysmum

That's the standard offer to O2 customers migrating to Sky (except for the Sports, which was your choice to take).

Quentin

Getting a £50 credit is becoming standard too!

(To offset any unspecified "fees" you are put to by any other supplier to enable you to join sky!)

teddysmum

I wasn't offered it, but knowing of it's existence asked for and got it. It will almost cover my year's Anytime.

heather8

Here is my tale of woe.

Back in August I phoned O2 and told them I didn't want to move over to Sky. Don't worry you can stay with us and they offered me unlimted BB and line rental for 9.00 per month. You don't have to switch to Sky they can't make you switch over, that's what I was told.

Well ever since then all of my monthly bills have been wrong, eventually sorted out and refunded accordingly.

Hounded by Sky to switch, rang my mobile number, home number, letters. I was really cross and tonight I received a letter saying that unless I contacted them to say otherwise, they would be switching me over and taking 25.00 per month from my account:eek::eek:

So I rang them and gave them a right ear bashing. I have now been put to the back of the migration queue according to Shaun at Sky and no money will be taken from my account. We've got some amazing deals he said, I told him I wasn't interested.

I than rang O2, they have told me that I don't have to switch over to Sky and I can stay with them until the final day, as yet O2 don't know when that is, but they will be in touch.

So now looking for another provider. I have had many years of happy service from O2 and it is sad that they have sold up. I am not very happy at all about Sky having all of my personal details including my bank account details.

Quentin

They say that they now don't think they will complete migrations till June/July.

So may be worth hanging on a while to get as much as you can out of the o2 deal.

But despite what o2 told you, a switch to sky is inevitable eventually, so when push comes to shove will be the time to move elsewhere if you don't want them taking over your phone line.

teddysmum

The present offer is very good (though not as good as last month when line rental saver was only £119.40): free broadband, free entertainment extra plus tv for 12 months and at the end, the box is yours to use as a Freesat receiver or sell, if you don't want tv, but will it be as good later ?

I lost a few months free with O2, but it suited me to move as by Bt renewal was due, Sky told me they intended to migrate me in December and staying put made dates uncertain and left my broadband out of phase with phone.

So far, I have no regrets as my broadband has increased in speed and stability , while the cost of it (even without tv) compares well with others, when the cost of line rental is taken into account.

Quentin

It may be a good sky offer/bribe.

However many of us just aren't interested in giving them our phonelines or business!

Soulistic

I wanted to add my bit here... just in case it can help anyone.

Background: Currently on O2, and have been a customer of theirs since they launched the BB service. Have always been a happy customer. Early this year, I added the phone line service which is also very good. In total, was paying about £20/month with line rental and anytime call package, with free BB for a year.

I then got a mail through the post from Sky about a week ago telling me that my services were due to be migrated to Sky in Jan/Feb time and that they would be increasing the cost to £22/month. Not cool!

So, I called the Sky O2 Team (the Olympus team), and tried to see what they were offering. I was less interested in the TV, so got the following deal:

- Free line rental
- Anytime call package (lacks the 300 countries free, but hey, I can use Localphone for that)
- Fibre BB (40MB one, not the Pro)
- 12 month contract

Worked out to £20/month. I thought it was an amazing deal and have gone ahead with the work to have the line and phone transferred over to Sky. I realise it's a gamble on the service, but since it's only 12 months, I figure there's nothing much to lose here.

I hope this helps someone out!

hsa_3

So I rang this morning and I'm being offered line rental free for 12months, unlimited broadband plus Talk Anytime International (which they swear includes 0845 numbers) for £20 a month, 12 month contract. When I said I'd think about it they offered me £75 credit into my account immediately. Whatever I do they can't upgrade the 20Mb limit on my O2 account so whether I move or stay that seems a problem. They suggest my broadband speed may improve with the new router (it did last time). Apparently the chargeable number for Sky CS is free with a Sky landline.

As we might be moving in a year or so I think I will go for it as the least hassle option, if it's rotten after 12 months I can still switch. Thanks to this board for encouraging me to argue! Hope everyone does the same.