Oldies who don't want broadband?

BigTezza

My 88-year-old Mum's Virgin Media contract is about to expire.

For ages now she's just had a very basic TV package (essentially just Freeview as far as I can tell), her old Tivo box, and her landline. VM put a router in for the latter some time ago, and that's all it's for.

She doesn't understand nor want broadband and I wouldn't let her near it as she can barely work the microwave. I've just spent a fun couple of hours on webchats with VM because she had a letter recently to tell her that her monthly cost was about to rise from £12.27 to £27.02. Being on the basic State pension, she was worried and upset about it, and I don't like seeing her like that. I was NOT happy.

I tried a couple of webchats but despite explaining (repeatedly) that she doesn't want nor need broadband, the only deals fired at me included it. One guy tried to push such a deal on me and it was nearly 50 quid. I repeated that Mum is 88 and on a State pension, didn't want internet access and so on but he/she wouldn't deviate from the script.

I just wondered if anyone else out there was looking after an elderly relative who just wants a phone, their TV (inc DVR) and nothing else? Yes, you and I need internet access these days but Mum doesn't and nobody seems to cater for that market - or if they do then they are keeping it very, very quiet.

TadleyBaggie

With the demise of copper POTS landlines, the only way to get a landline now is via broadband.

p00hsticks

I think you'll find that she probably needs broadband to use the landline (and if she doesn't now she will soon). My parents are with VM and they had to switch their landline over to use VOIP (via broadband) several years ago now. 

35har1old

BigTezza said:

My 88-year-old Mum's Virgin Media contract is about to expire.

For ages now she's just had a very basic TV package (essentially just Freeview as far as I can tell), her old Tivo box, and her landline. VM put a router in for the latter some time ago, and that's all it's for.

She doesn't understand nor want broadband and I wouldn't let her near it as she can barely work the microwave. I've just spent a fun couple of hours on webchats with VM because she had a letter recently to tell her that her monthly cost was about to rise from £12.27 to £27.02. Being on the basic State pension, she was worried and upset about it, and I don't like seeing her like that. I was NOT happy.

I tried a couple of webchats but despite explaining (repeatedly) that she doesn't want nor need broadband, the only deals fired at me included it. One guy tried to push such a deal on me and it was nearly 50 quid. I repeated that Mum is 88 and on a State pension, didn't want internet access and so on but he/she wouldn't deviate from the script.

I just wondered if anyone else out there was looking after an elderly relative who just wants a phone, their TV (inc DVR) and nothing else? Yes, you and I need internet access these days but Mum doesn't and nobody seems to cater for that market - or if they do then they are keeping it very, very quiet.

Unfortunately the time is coming that you will be required to stream to receive  your tv programmes when they decomission the masts.

p00hsticks

If she's getting Virgin TV she'll also be getting the TV via the broadband. If she's only viewing the basic channels and there is a TV aerial on the property then it would be worth seeing what channels / signal she can get directly from the ariel without going via the Virgin Box. 

Keep_pedalling

35har1old said:

BigTezza said:

My 88-year-old Mum's Virgin Media contract is about to expire.

For ages now she's just had a very basic TV package (essentially just Freeview as far as I can tell), her old Tivo box, and her landline. VM put a router in for the latter some time ago, and that's all it's for.

She doesn't understand nor want broadband and I wouldn't let her near it as she can barely work the microwave. I've just spent a fun couple of hours on webchats with VM because she had a letter recently to tell her that her monthly cost was about to rise from £12.27 to £27.02. Being on the basic State pension, she was worried and upset about it, and I don't like seeing her like that. I was NOT happy.

I tried a couple of webchats but despite explaining (repeatedly) that she doesn't want nor need broadband, the only deals fired at me included it. One guy tried to push such a deal on me and it was nearly 50 quid. I repeated that Mum is 88 and on a State pension, didn't want internet access and so on but he/she wouldn't deviate from the script.

I just wondered if anyone else out there was looking after an elderly relative who just wants a phone, their TV (inc DVR) and nothing else? Yes, you and I need internet access these days but Mum doesn't and nobody seems to cater for that market - or if they do then they are keeping it very, very quiet.

Unfortunately the time is coming that you will be required to stream to receive  your tv programmes when they decomission the masts.

That won’t be until 2034 at the earliest.

Baldytyke88

Broadband can be very useful for elderly people, offering numerous benefits that can improve their quality of life, such as staying connected with loved ones and accessing essential services online. While a basic broadband package with lower speeds might be sufficient for simple tasks like browsing and emailing, faster connections can be beneficial for things like using smart home devices.

https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/care-services-equipment-and-care-homes/personal-alarms-security-systems-and-keysafes/

gm0

There has been (and still is) an ongoing regulatory issue about POTS and "vulnerable" customers.  And some alert/medical devices with old school alarm functions which rely on it.

Being on the vulnerable customer register.  Ideally on rolling contract for landline only with BT retail (though this should not matter - it *may* via regulatory differing treatment of incumbent).  And having an existing digitallly adapted POTS without broadband.  You continue to resist all blandishments.  BT are mildly less likely to be allowed to just "drop a product" and strand you with nowhere to go.

Eventually any existing supplier will force a tech exit for this niche via an IP phone that resembles POTS to the user (mostly).  But rides on the network.  And likely will be forced for a small residual segment to sell this bundle as though it was just a line i.e. on better terms. 

In this corner. You can't chase new customer deals.  Nor will anyone (including BT retail) want to sell a standalone line rental and call package at this stage.  So if you don't have one - getting one is already challenging.

Clinging on in the "vulnerable" elderly segment will force their hand commercially ultimately. 

As I doubt they will be allowed to force a vulnerable customer in a manner which causes financial hardship or removes service.  

BigTezza

Thank you all.

As I said, VM put a router in for her landline some time ago. That's all it's used for. She doesn't have what we might call 'broadband' for internet access. The thought of her going on the web chills my blood. She's a complete technophobe anyway so wouldn't entertain the idea.

I'll see what sense I can get out of VM when I call them tomorrow. Unfortunately, from my own experience with VM, it's very much pot luck getting to speak to someone who will offer a deal that will suit her. When my own contract was up for renewal early last year, I got a different offer every time I called or went on a webchat.

A Freeview recorder would be an option but I would imagine she would get stung for just having a landline and not a package deal. We'll see.

iniltous

I suppose for context , ( but switching may prove problematic anyway )  , but BT telephony for customers without broadband from anyone at all , is £30 on a PAYG basis , the not advertised but available ‘no broadband’ discount is around £13-15 , so the true cost is £15-£17 a month , so paying £12 ish was something of a bargain if it also included a basic TV service ( bearing in mind Sky used to charge £10 for ex customers who wanted to keep the recording feature on a Sky box they already owned ) after quitting any paid for Sky TV package.

I doubt any other provider will be offering standalone telephony apart from BT , and they are compelled to do so , so the fact VM are even offering this is remarkable, but if you do consider BT to ‘save’ around £10 , that will still be ‘IP’ telephony, just the broadband element is restricted to such an extent that telephony (which only needs a fraction of 1Mb to function ) is the only service that will work over it , and you would still have to sort out an aerial and recordable Freeview type box, FWIW , the new VM price although a significant increase in price doesn’t seem to me to be that unreasonable 

jbrassy

You don't have to go with Virgin. You can buy Freeview+ boxes which allow you to record TV.

As for the landline, I'm not sure what to suggest as I don't use mine. Could she manage with a basic Nokia phone and a SIM with unlimited minutes? That would probably be a lot cheaper than a landline.