Where to go next? Which provider?

[Deleted User]

Hi all, hope you are well?

I am looking on some advise around my next broadband provider. I have been with Virgin Media for around 10 years for my broadband with a year break around 2015 where I had broadband via the copper telephone cable. My current deal ends in November but with the price increase I am able to leave early but I have yet to receive the "formal" letter, so just doing my research before that letter comes. 

Having done a bit of research I don't believe I can get broadband via the copper cable in my area any more and my only other option is to have fibre to the property via a number of providers via Openreach. It does mean some drilling and cables around the outside of the property which is what has put me off switching, however I don't think I can avoid it much longer. 

Anyway, are there any providers that fix their prices for the duration of the contract or at least waiving their March price increase for new joiners?

I have spoken with PlusNet and they have confirmed if I join before 31st March I will still be subject to their 2023 price increase. 

The issue I have is that Openreach availability appears to be 31 days at the earliest (from when I go to place a dummy order with Sky for example) and I will also have to give 30 days notice to Virgin, so I am trying to make sure I at least have some connection before my Virgin contract finishes. 

Also, what can I expect from the installation, for example my current telephone line is in a cupboard in the middle of the property (and I believe the cable must be hidden in the walls somewhere), so will Openreach take the easy route and insist I have their box on the other side of the wall or is there some flexibility on placement (e.g. they will run a small amount of cabling inside the property)?

Thanks 

HaroldWhistler

CAD21 said:

Hi all, hope you are well?

I am looking on some advise around my next broadband provider. I have been with Virgin Media for around 10 years for my broadband with a year break around 2015 where I had broadband via the copper telephone cable. Long story short I have no intention of staying with Virgin due to their poor customer service. My current deal ends in November but with the price increase I am able to leave early but I have yet to receive the "formal" letter, so just doing my research before that letter comes. 

Having done a bit of research I don't believe I can get broadband via the copper cable in my area any more and my only other option is to have fibre to the property via a number of providers via Openreach. It does mean some drilling and cables around the outside of the property which is what has put me off switching, however I don't think I can avoid it much longer. 

Anyway, are there any providers that fix their prices for the duration of the contract or at least waiving their March price increase for new joiners?

I have spoken with PlusNet and they have confirmed if I join before 31st March I will still be subject to their 2023 price increase. 

The issue I have is that Openreach availability appears to be 31 days at the earliest (from when I go to place a dummy order with Sky for example) and I will also have to give 30 days notice to Virgin, so I am trying to make sure I at least have some connection before my Virgin contract finishes. 

Also, what can I expect from the installation, for example my current telephone line is in a cupboard in the middle of the property (and I believe the cable must be hidden in the walls somewhere), so will Openreach take the easy route and insist I have their box on the other side of the wall or is there some flexibility on placement (e.g. they will run a small amount of cabling inside the property)?

Thanks 

1. Providers that fix their prices on Openreach Full Fibre (FTTP) include Zen, Cuckoo (price fixed throughout contract and does not rise afterward), and Giganet. There might be others. 

2. There is usually a 14 day mandatory period to install Full Fibre at a property set by Openreach itself from what I understand. Any broadband provider will state the earliest possible start date when you go through their web/phone sign up process. The date might fluctuate depending on any backlog of work/availability of engineers in each specific area. Some providers give you a 4G Mifi dongle to use in any interim period (for free). Alternatively you could pick up a 30 day Unlimited Data 4G SIM to put in a Mifi for Mobile broadband to use during any overlap time between cancelling Virgin and the new broadband coming online. That's probably easier, cheaper and less hassle than chasing Virgin for a refund for unused time during any out of contract period. 

3. Installation by any Full Fibre provider including Openreach is generally speaking simple and a one off event and usually takes about 2-3 hours. The position of the old "BT/Openreach Mastersocket" is not necessarily where the new connection has to come in and the old master socket itself becomes redundant. 

Where the entry point is will be discussed with you just before they install. There might be some flexibility according to various websites. Some mention that generally they will offer a 50-100m range from wherever the fibre gets attached to the wall at ground level.

The Openreach engineer will draw an optical fibre cable from the nearest distribution point - depending on the area, it could be an underground duct, or a "CBT" box on a nearby telephone pole - to your property. They will then attach the wire to the outside of the house bringing it to ground level. The wire will then be extended to wherever you agree to have the fibre enter the property. At that point, they attach a "CSP" (Customer Service Point) small box to the outside wall. From that, another fibre cable will be drilled through your wall and connected to an internal new square shaped "ONT" box (on the inside of the house). This box then plugs into a regular power socket nearby. 

Your new Router then connects by Ethernet cable to the new ONT box (which you can think of as a new master-socket). And away you go. 

TractorFactor

HaroldWhistler said:

From that, another fibre cable will be drilled through your wall and connected to an internal new square shaped "ONT" box (on the inside of the house). This box then plugs into a regular power socket nearby.

Why do the likes of Virgin Media just require one box (router) to be plugged in whereas it seems everyone else requires a router AND a modem?

HaroldWhistler

TractorFactor said:

HaroldWhistler said:

From that, another fibre cable will be drilled through your wall and connected to an internal new square shaped "ONT" box (on the inside of the house). This box then plugs into a regular power socket nearby.

Why do the likes of Virgin Media just require one box (router) to be plugged in whereas it seems everyone else requires a router AND a modem?

The new ONT box on the wall acts like a modem and communicates with an Internet service provider. So if it's an Openreach, or CityFibre, or whoever else ONT for Full Fibre, you only need one Router connected to it (either your own, or one provided by the Broadband provider). 

400ixl

You mention Plusnet, be aware they do not currently offer a landline (digital voice) option with their FTTP (full fibre) broadband service so you would not be able to have a phone line alongside your broadband. Not an issue for many, but something to be aware of with them.