Cassie is coming to the UK...need help with internet & tv

cassiebrighton

Hello boys,

This is Cassie. I am moving to the UK from USA for 10 months. If anyone wants to hang out let me know.

I am staying in a private let, alone. I will need to get internet service and television service. I know I need a television license too.

I don't know much about the internet/television system in the UK, it is so confusing!

Can anyone tell me what I need to do...I don't think I need a phone line in the apartment.

I am looking for good value for money, I don;t need super fast internet or 1000 television channels.

Also, if I get a 12 month contract, can I cancel it in 10 months?

Can I attach my photos here?

Thanks boys,
Cass

macman

You don't need to pay for TV here, you can get over 100 channels free either via an aerial (Freeview), or a satellite minidish (Freesat). Your flat probably comes already wired for one of these systems, or possibly for Sky, which is a subscription service.
Internet access requires a BT-based landline (for which you have to pay line rental), unless you are in a Virgin Media cable area. Again, check with your agent to see what service is already installed. What you need is ADSL broadband-the alternative is faster and called FTTC (fibre optic).
You can cancel in 10m, but you'll generally pay an ETC equivalent to the last two months of the contract.
You only need a TV licence to watch live broadcasts

[Deleted User]

cassiebrighton wrote: »

. I will need to get internet service and television service. I know I need a television license too.

The first thing you need to decide is whether you wish to subscribe to pay television or would rather just have access to free-to-air channels.
If you decide not to pay there is really only a choice between Freeview (viewed via an antenna or aerial) or Freesat (viewed via a satellite dish). To be honest, if you don't want to pay then the decision over which service you have will probably have already been made by the Landlord of the flat you are renting. There is little difference in the channel availability between them anyhow.

http://www.freeview.co.uk

http://www.freesat.co.uk

cassiebrighton wrote: »

I am looking for good value for money, I don;t need super fast internet or 1000 television channels.

There are so many providers of internet around that it's unwise for me to attempt to recommend just one.
I'm certain you can Google the big name providers; BT, Sky, Virgin, Plusnet are just a few which come to mind. Just do your own price comparison, although do note that individual service availability might be limited by your location.

cassiebrighton wrote: »

if I get a 12 month contract, can I cancel it in 10 months?

There is generally a twelve month minimum term, so if you cancel after only 10 you'll probably have to pay the remaining two months subscription.

cassiebrighton wrote: »

Can I attach my photos here?

Well, unless they are related to TV moneysaving, I'm not sure why you would want to.

Enjoy your stay in the UK, I'm sure you'll make many friends once you arrive...:)

elsien

Would have given a fuller reply but I seem to be the wrong gender for the OP. Why is the wonderbra advert suddenly coming to mind?

[Deleted User]

elsien wrote: »

Would have given a fuller reply but I seem to be the wrong gender for the OP. Why is the wonderbra advert suddenly coming to mind?

Well, I don't know about wrong gender, but I do agree that "Cassie" may be a little misguided about this particular forum.

If "Cassie" simply wants to hang out online, The Money Savers Arms might be a more appropriate sub-forum to visit;

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

kwikbreaks

The other thing to watch out for is that increasingly the minimum terms are 18 months rather than 12. This is especially so if having a phone line installed (or possibly even just reactivated).

cassiebrighton

Hello friends,

Sorry for being a bit flirty in the first message. I am seeking advice from all genders. Elsien - please accept my apologies and please let me know your thoughts.

I am still a bit confused as to the television options.

If I do not want to pay, then I need to check with the landlord/letting agent if the flat is wired for freeview or freesat? Can it be wired for both?

And if I want to pay, then do I need to check anything with them, or can I choose any company that has service in my area?

Also, I will need to buy a small tv...is Ar**s the 'best' option or can I look elsewhere? Maybe rent a tv? Unfortunately the landlord does not provide it.

Can I buy any tv or do I need to buy one that corresponds to the type of service I want....I see tvs listed as freeview, freesat, etc...but am confused.

Finally, for now, if I choose to use the freeview or freesat options, can I just get broadband service without paying for tv service? It seems like most of them are bundled!

Thank you,
Cassie

paulbrannan

cassiebrighton wrote: »

Hello friends,

Sorry for being a bit flirty in the first message. I am seeking advice from all genders. Elsien - please accept my apologies and please let me know your thoughts.

I am still a bit confused as to the television options.

If I do not want to pay, then I need to check with the landlord/letting agent if the flat is wired for freeview or freesat? Can it be wired for both?

And if I want to pay, then do I need to check anything with them, or can I choose any company that has service in my area?

Also, I will need to buy a small tv...is Ar**s the 'best' option or can I look elsewhere? Maybe rent a tv? Unfortunately the landlord does not provide it.

Can I buy any tv or do I need to buy one that corresponds to the type of service I want....I see tvs listed as freeview, freesat, etc...but am confused.

Finally, for now, if I choose to use the freeview or freesat options, can I just get broadband service without paying for tv service? It seems like most of them are bundled!

Thank you,
Cassie

DOn't forget, that you will also need to buy a UK TV licence
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/

[Deleted User]

cassiebrighton wrote: »

Can I buy any tv or do I need to buy one that corresponds to the type of service I want....I see tvs listed as freeview, freesat, etc...but am confused.

Any TV you buy (new) will receive Freeview, many will get Freesat but some will need a separate "set top box". Anywhere you rent is almost certain to have an aerial connection to run Freeview, so if you just want cheap and simple you should be able to just buy any TV and plug it in. I chose PlusNet for the internet because the Consumers Association recommended them for value for money and customer service.

cassiebrighton

Hello friends,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I am aware of the tv license. However, do I need the TV license for 12 months or can I pay monthly and keep it for just 10 months?

Any suggestions on where to get a good deal on a tv? or should I rent one for 10 months?

Thanks!!
Cassie

elsien

As above, if you just want basic channels freeview should be fine, you don't need to tie it into any other packages.
If you want broadband then most people use the landline to access it. The downside is the length of contract so even if you're only here for 10 months you'll still have to pay till the end of the contract. So double check when you take it out that it is a 12 month contract as some are longer. It works out cheaper to take the line rental and broadband as a package from one provider, it doesn't have to be BT.
The other alternative (which gives you less data and I think for anything but very light surfing works out more expensive) is mobile broadband.
http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/guides/broadband_no_landline/

Edit - you have to get the tv licence for 12 months although you can pay in installments if it helps. Looks like claiming a refund only applies for quarters so 10 months won't help.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/youre-moving-address-aud23

I don't know many places that rent tvs - they tend more to be on the rent/buy model with stupid interest rates. You might pick up a second hand one if you don't want to buy new. Depending what size screen you're looking for, Argos is a good starting point to get an idea of prices.