how to find out if I need a line installed?

mess0804

Hi, I just moved to a flat that has the white socket but it says virgin on it? I thought virgin did cable, how do I find out if I need a line intalled or hopefully not ? The white socket looks exactly like BT's that I had in former place only the logo on it confused me.
If I call Plusnet or BT would they know if I need it installed or would they charge me an engineer anyeway ?

macman

Plug in a handset and test for a dial tone?
The cost for a line install or a reconnection is the same anyway at £130 rack rate-though most providers discount that. Any provider can arrange a line provision or reconnection, it doesn't have to be BT.
If it's a VM line then indeed it will be cable. You'll need a new install for a BT-based line.

mess0804

So the VM line socket looks exactly like the BT one?
I was hoping not to fork £130. Might work out cheaper with virgin but have not read good reaviews about their broadband

kwikbreaks

If it says Virgin on the faceplate it is absolutely certain it's a cable phone. They look the same as BT faceplates because they both take normal telephones.

Most ISPs who offer phones as well will install the phone for free or discounted but you'll have a minimum term - most likely 18 months. I think VM do 18 month terms now too.

VM broadband varies by area and the size of those areas can be very small indeed. You need to ask near neighbours if they are on cable and what it's like. Asking on a forun is postcode area XXn any good is pointless as congestion problems can just cover a street or two. VM don't move fast in fixing them either.

macman

You won't have to pay £130 unless you accept BT's rack rate. Plusnet for example charge £49.99. With cashback that'll be as good as free.

Pikeyp

Do you really need a land line at all?

You don't need one to get VM broadband for example.

Pincher

You will find that if you order non-cable broadband at the same time as a phone line, installation tends to be discounted.

Virgin likes to say free installation under the guise of "promotion", so you just have to wait a bit for one that says free installation.