Moving to new area

moneyistooshorttomention

I am moving to a new area shortly and will need to set myself up with an Internet provider and phone provider.

I currently am in an area with Virgin cable and use them for both phone and Internet. I have their package with 24/7 free phonecalls to standard phonenumbers (where those calls are for less than an hour).

I am okay with standard reasonable speed broadband and am okay about just having my tv connected up separately to the Freeview tv channels.

My most important considerations are:
- efficient/reliable Internet provider
- still having free 24/7 phonecalls for up to an hour (all those long-distance phonecalls I will be making to people back in my current area!!).

Any thoughts as to who might be the best Internet/phone provider for me please? (NB: I don't want BT or TalkTalk....as I've read too many bad comments about them).

EDIT: I shouldn't be charged anything for leaving Virgin, as I've been with them for a few years now.

macman

Since broadband is exchange-specific, start with an exchange search on www.samknows.com for your available LLU providers.
You don't actually say if VM cable is available in your new area, though it's implied that it's not?
If you want cable speeds then you will need to look for FTTC availability, rather than ADSL.
VM will most certainly charge you an ETC if you have had any changes to your service or tariff in the last 12m or so that commenced you on a new minimum term.
Almost all providers offer an Anytime calls option for about a fiver (they're not free, they're inclusive).

moneyistooshorttomention

I'm guessing ETC translates into "payment to escape us".

Virgin don't operate in area I am going to.

Much googling later and it looks like the way to avoid BT and TalkTalk will be to go with PlusNet or John Lewis.

Who'd a thunk it that John Lewis would be an Internet provider?

victor2

As macman says, samknows will tell you what's available. Unless you negotiated a better deal or discount with VM in the last 12 months, you shouldn't be in a new contract, so will just have to give them the usual notice to leave without penalty.
Lots of companies resell the BT provided service, so that's why the likes of John Lewis get in on the act. For all their sins, VM do provide a good broadband service and IME you get the full "up to" speed you pay for. I have their call anytime service too and pay line rental 12 months in advance to keep that cost down. Quite a few providers offer that as well I believe. VM shaft you on calling 0845 numbers unless you pay even more for the anytime service, so you get shafted either way. Not that it bugs me you understand.