Advice on switching from Virgin Media to BT

sarab66

I've been with Virgin Media and it's predecessors for around 25 years and moved into my house 20 years ago and immediately had cable installed.  I pay circa £55 for landline, broadband and TV.  I don't use the tv though and try as I might I've never got them to cut it off as they say it is 'free'.
This year I've become increasingly frustrated at the poor quality of broadband and WiFi but also want to look at bringing the cost down.
It seems that I will need to start with getting BT installed.  For various reasons I need to keep a landline.
My queries are:
- do I need BT installed to move to another provider?
- can I switch my Virgin landline number to another provider?
- would BT be able to connect their lines into the four Virgin telephone points that I have around the house.
Really appreciate any insight as I'm just getting so fed up with the quality of connection that I get with Virgin and the high price that I'm paying.
Thanks in advance.

Neil_Jones

1) A BT line will need to be installed, yes.  There may already be a line physically connected to the property which could be disconnected at the exchange, otherwise a new line would need to be installed.

2) You should be able to transfer it.

3)  It can be done, or you can do it yourself.  Alternatively have you considered cordless telephones so you only need one socket at all?  Just a thought.

Note that BT is not the only provider in town.  All the phone line providers (BT, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk etc) just need a BT line to work on.  Doesn't mean you have to go with BT themselves.

Mister_G

Have you considered negotiating with VM?  Obviously you will need to be at (or near to) the end of your contract.

If you price up the service you require from another provider and then go back to VM with this price, they may well match it.

You say that you have issues with a VM reliable connection.  Is this via a hardwired ethernet connection or WiFi?  If WiFi, then there are a number of factors that can affect your connection that can be outside VM's control.

JJ_Egan

OP note that generally you will not get the same speed with BT .

<

poor quality of broadband and WiFi>

That reads as  wifi rather than the actual BB  , how are you testing ??

sarab66

Neil_Jones said:

1) A BT line will need to be installed, yes.  There may already be a line physically connected to the property which could be disconnected at the exchange, otherwise a new line would need to be installed.

2) You should be able to transfer it.

3)  It can be done, or you can do it yourself.  Alternatively have you considered cordless telephones so you only need one socket at all?  Just a thought.

Note that BT is not the only provider in town.  All the phone line providers (BT, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk etc) just need a BT line to work on.  Doesn't mean you have to go with BT themselves.

Thank you so much for taking time. I have gone through the cordless phone phase over the years but get so fed up that they just don't last or they are always in the wrong room.  
So this means I could just pay for a BT line and rental and then get a different supplier from day one?

sarab66

Mister_G said:

Have you considered negotiating with VM?  Obviously you will need to be at (or near to) the end of your contract.

If you price up the service you require from another provider and then go back to VM with this price, they may well match it.

You say that you have issues with a VM reliable connection.  Is this via a hardwired ethernet connection or WiFi?  If WiFi, then there are a number of factors that can affect your connection that can be outside VM's control.

Hi Mister G, several neighbours are also complaining and getting fed up too.  It's both via the ethernet connection that goes from my router to my PC and wifi connection to laptops and TV (which is also supported by Devolo). Will try the price matching but with better service :-)

sarab66

JJ_Egan said:

OP note that generally you will not get the same speed with BT .

<

poor quality of broadband and WiFi>

That reads as  wifi rather than the actual BB  , how are you testing ??

My testing is if I can use it or not.  I tried to use the VM testing app and repeatedly told me I was an unrecognised customer.

JJ_Egan

Yes but if its wifi it may be  you at fault not VM .