New house - what set up ?

Miss_Wetwipe

OK, so in the next few months I'll be moving into a new build. Unfortunately it's not going to be served by Virgin, so I'm stepping into new territory and looking for a new provider. What I need is :

Broadband
Telephone
TV

The main TV should be something similar to what Virgin Tivo offers (plenty of storage, ability to record multiple programmes, and HD) - also plenty of channels (not bothered about sports, movies etc).

TV box in bedroom 1 should have recording capabilities and a variety of channels.

TV in dining room doesn't need recording capabilities, but should have childrens channels.


Any advice about who or what to get? I feel like I'm wading through mud at the moment!

macman

Since broadband is exchange specific, start with an exchange search on www.samknows.com for your available LLU providers.
If you don't require Sport or Movies, then I can't see why you need a subscription TV service? Use Freeview with an aerial or Freesat with a mini-dish-if either is already installed then stick with that. A second feed will be required fo the 2nd room. Then pick the appropriate Humax PVR for your chosen platform. And a digibox for the dining room if no PVR facilities required there.
No ongoing subscription cost, just the initial purchase price.
NB: does the property already have a BT-based landline installed?

Gratis

I would go about it in much the same way as macman but would commence the whole process by considering whether “free” (with a licence) television – namely, FreeSat or FreeView – would be adequate for your needs. If not, then check out what Sky, BT and TalkTalk can offer you by way of television.

Before making any decisions on television, however, check to see whether, at your property, a Sky/FreeSat dish would be able to obtain an unobstructed line-of-site to the Astra satellite(s) and whether a conventional television aerial would be able to obtain an adequate signal of Freeview (including Freeview HD).

Thus apprised, then start investigating what broadband suppliers and speeds are (or will shortly become) available to you, using the aforementioned https://www.samknows.com site.

Bear in mind that broadband which works solidly and reliably is better than cheaper or faster broadband which doesn’t – especially if you need a degree in Hindu to deal with the Customer Services of the latter.

At that stage, you can decide which (if any) Broadband+TV deals appeal to you.

Finally, decide whether you want to add telephone to your preferred Broadband deal.

In the end, it all boils down to your personal preferences (and what you can, or choose to, afford) within the parameters of what is actually available to you at your premises.

Bundled deals tend to be cheaper but many prefer the flexibility and bargaining power of having separate suppliers for each utility. There’s also the fact that if you get into a dispute with a single company which supplies your broadband, your telephone and your television viewing, they have you by the nuts and sorting it out could become difficult.

With a new-build property, make your decisions in advance and – as with plumbing, radiators and electricity sockets/switches – get the necessary cabling for television, telephone and Internet/networking installed to your preferences before the plasterers go in!