Removing Virgin cables from new house 13 July 2022 at 8:50PM in Phones & TV 6 replies 233 views

queenbee4000

Hi, I am due to move house soon to a house that currently has Virgin. As I understand it, my broadband provider will be able to change my line to a BT Openreach one but what about my TV? Would I need an tv aerial engineer to fit an aerial and appropriate cables I assume? 

Neil_Jones

Depends on how you get your TV at your current house.

If its Freeview, just get a rooftop aerial installed (or try an indoor one if you're feeling lucky).

If it was Sky, they'll stick a new dish up if needs be.

If its an internet based provider (like Now  for example) it'll work once the internet is up and running.

Re: the internet - if there is no BT line physically there, one will have to be installed.  Its more likely though there is one there, just deactivated.  If that's the case, the provider can probably activate it remotely.  Then all you do is plug your router in when its active and Bob's your Uncle.

queenbee4000

Neil_Jones said:

Depends on how you get your TV at your current house.

If its Freeview, just get a rooftop aerial installed (or try an indoor one if you're feeling lucky).

If it was Sky, they'll stick a new dish up if needs be.

If its an internet based provider (like Now  for example) it'll work once the internet is up and running.

Re: the internet - if there is no BT line physically there, one will have to be installed.  Its more likely though there is one there, just deactivated.  If that's the case, the provider can probably activate it remotely.  Then all you do is plug your router in when its active and Bob's your Uncle.

Thank you. I just have a normal tv that plugs into the wall so I would guess I need an aerial fitted. I have an aerial in my loft at the moment but i also have a booster box so I guess I could get that again installed. I wondered if there was a way of avoiding an engineer but I guess there isn't! 

roddydogs

So they don't have the backup of a freeview aerial?

Bigphil1474

OP, the house you are moving to may well have an aerial. Just because they have VM (cable?) doesn't mean they will have removed any pre-exisiting aerial. If so, you can just plug in and off you go.

Neil_Jones

It must be remembered prior to the early 1980s the only way to get TV in this country for most people was via a TV aerial stuck on a roof pointing towards a transmitter.  Satellite TV (and cable for the most part bar a few local exceptions) didn't become mainstream until that time, though broadcasters had been making use of them (and you had the whole "live by satellite" thing as a selling point for performances).

So unless the property is a newer build (as a lot of modern properties/developments may have the cabling but not the aerial itself) or an aerial was never installed/ has been taken down deliberately or by accident) then it's almost certainly going to have a TV aerial in place.

niktheguru

Just to add to what previous posters have said, you should check what the facilities are in the house that you're moving into. If the current current people are using virgin for their tv and broadband that is usually one virgin cable that comes into the house that provides both.

The house may or may not have a BT line. What you will want/need depends on whether you just want standard broadband or a fibreoptic broadband (which is usually much faster) Both are provided by openreach (previously a bt company). If there is an existing line then it can be reactivated remotely to provide standard broadband. If you want fibreoptic then openreach will upgrade the line as part of the install process (if available in your area) and you'll need an engineer to visit. The phone is then provided over VOIP. (using the fibreoptic line)

For TV you need to check if there is already an aerial in the property (will be able to see if from outside, or it may be in the loft), if it does you can just plug your tv in. If it doesnt then you'll need to make a decision whether you want to
1. Install an aerial
2.Install a dish and have sky
3. Use virgin (as the cables are already there)
4. Use an internal aerial (signal may be a problem)
5. Use an internet based tv solution such as now tv.

Lots of options these days!!