New conversion - How can you tell if there's broadband?

Sacher50

We're in the process of buying a flat in a newly converted Georgian building, no one's lived there since it was converted. There are new modem ports in the wall, but how can I know if they're functional before we move in? Our survey looked at the electrics, heating and water, how can we check we're connected to the exchange?

Also, does anyone have experience with getting Virgin fibre connections installed in a property in terms of cost, practicalities?

Slithery

Ask the vendor?

Irishpearce26

As above ask the vendor or look at getting a quote from a broadband provider as they will check the line of the property to see if they can provide the service. Also worth noting that virgin don't operate in all areas, i live on the outskirts of a city which is a massive housing development and virgin isn't available in the area.

Blue_bell_20

It’s good that you are thinking about this. We just bought a house, the person before us had sky. Although when we moved in we found out the fibre box had reached its limit and we couldn’t have it. Also that there was an issue with the phone line (we needed an engineer, which our current internet provider would charge us for). We’ve ended up with mobile internet sim and a router. Surprisingly it’s working (mostly) ok. It’s faster than fibre was at our old house at times. Then a few occasions it will go down. Then again that happened with our last provider too.

I would say to check your phone signal in the house, and maybe anything you like to use. For example my partners phones gps doesn’t work in the livingroom, which stops him playing certain games. My phone signal is also weak in the livingroom. We didn’t pay full attention when viewing because we were focused on the house. 

FreeBear

Sacher50 said: There are new modem ports in the wall, but how can I know if they're functional before we move in?

Are you sure they are "modem" ports and not telephone points ?

prowla

You could check the post code to see if broadband is available to that address.

(It won't tell you if there is an active account connected, but knowing the answer isn't "no" could be of some use.)