Virginmedia vs Sky
27 May 2009, 08:31 AM
#1
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Virginmedia vs Sky
As my house is a (relatively) new build, it didn't come with an tv aerial but NTL fitted as standard. I've had my phone, cable package and broadband with them (and now Virgin) since 2004 and been relatively happy with the service. However, they're now sneaking up the price of broadband and it's getting slower and slower and I'm thinking of switching (also like the idea of Sky+).
Can I simply switch to Sky and get the 3 services above from them, or do I have to get a BT phone line put in (and will I need to install a digital aerial)??
Scuse the stupid question but I'm not in the know.
Cheers
SS23
Can I simply switch to Sky and get the 3 services above from them, or do I have to get a BT phone line put in (and will I need to install a digital aerial)??
Scuse the stupid question but I'm not in the know.
Cheers
SS23
27 May 2009, 08:32 AM
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Everyone I know with Sky+ complains at how slow it is during peak times. One of my mates says he gets ~7Mbps at night but during the evening he's lucky if it's 1Mbps. On the other hand, I've just had the Virginmedia 10Mbps package fitted and it seems very consistent.
27 May 2009, 09:06 AM
#3
As my house is a (relatively) new build, it didn't come with an tv aerial but NTL fitted as standard. I've had my phone, cable package and broadband with them (and now Virgin) since 2004 and been relatively happy with the service. However, they're now sneaking up the price of broadband and it's getting slower and slower and I'm thinking of switching (also like the idea of Sky+).
Can I simply switch to Sky and get the 3 services above from them, or do I have to get a BT phone line put in (and will I need to install a digital aerial)??
Scuse the stupid question but I'm not in the know.
Cheers
SS23
Can I simply switch to Sky and get the 3 services above from them, or do I have to get a BT phone line put in (and will I need to install a digital aerial)??
Scuse the stupid question but I'm not in the know.
Cheers
SS23
Which service do you have ? and what speeds do you get ?
27 May 2009, 09:22 AM
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I'm apparently on their 10MB speed now (having been on 2MB and just been upgraded) and we don't use the net much. I don't know how to exactly measure what I'm actually getting as a non-techie.
I'm on their £31 package for all 3 services.
I'm on their £31 package for all 3 services.
27 May 2009, 09:33 AM
#5
When the upgrade was done a S package was created to allow customers to stay on the 2Mb speeds for £18 .. if you want to go onto that just call them up.
As for slow speeds, I cant help you unless you show me there is a fault.
Try downloading two files at the same time from
http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com and combine the download speeds. Let me know what you get and make sure any other Internet using programs are closed.
27 May 2009, 09:33 AM
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To get Sky broadband you'll need a BT line, don't gorget it's ADSL so the speed you'll get is dependant on how close you are to the exchange.
Virgin broadband IMO is much better, I've used them for over 9 years and wouldn't want to switch.
For TV though Sky all the way
Virgin broadband IMO is much better, I've used them for over 9 years and wouldn't want to switch.
For TV though Sky all the way
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27 May 2009, 12:36 PM
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Sky+ for the pictures
Orange BB for the interwebby
Massive cost saving exercise and happy with all the services and speeds
Also got Sky BB in the other room but use it maybe twice a year lol
Orange BB for the interwebby
Massive cost saving exercise and happy with all the services and speeds
Also got Sky BB in the other room but use it maybe twice a year lol
27 May 2009, 01:48 PM
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Thanks for all comments thus far.
Had a chat with the Sky rep who has a stall in the local shopping centre, and he's told me that I don't need a BT line, but they will take over my Virgin one for a one-off fee of £25 and I can keep my number.
I'm paying £31 a month on my current Virginmedia package of Telly/BB and phone;
Sky have now quoted me £32.50 a month for telly (2 entertainment packs with the HD pack and Sky+HD box), BB with 8mb download (40gb a month, whatever that means!) and phone (free weekend and evening calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers). In addition to the £25 for the phone line transfer, there's a one-off £30 for the Sky+HB box and free fitting.
Taking into account that we don't use the internet that much (literally a couple of hours a week) and that with this option, I'll have access to 20 HD channels (I have access to none at the moment with Virgin), it sounds like a good option.
Had a chat with the Sky rep who has a stall in the local shopping centre, and he's told me that I don't need a BT line, but they will take over my Virgin one for a one-off fee of £25 and I can keep my number.
I'm paying £31 a month on my current Virginmedia package of Telly/BB and phone;
Sky have now quoted me £32.50 a month for telly (2 entertainment packs with the HD pack and Sky+HD box), BB with 8mb download (40gb a month, whatever that means!) and phone (free weekend and evening calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers). In addition to the £25 for the phone line transfer, there's a one-off £30 for the Sky+HB box and free fitting.
Taking into account that we don't use the internet that much (literally a couple of hours a week) and that with this option, I'll have access to 20 HD channels (I have access to none at the moment with Virgin), it sounds like a good option.
27 May 2009, 01:55 PM
#14
They might move you to BT and port your number but Virgin phone lines dont support SKY ADSL ..
on my VM phone line
This number does not appear to be a compatible phone line - it may be from a cable or other service provider, or you may have just moved house and just activated this phone number. You can order a new phone line from Sky today, including Sky Talk Line Rental and a Sky Talk calls package - Sky will arrange for a new compatible Sky phone line to be installed. After your Sky phone line is installed, call Sky to order Sky Broadband. Check Postcode to see what Broadband products are available in this area. To get Sky Talk Line Rental now, you will need to call the call centre. Please call us on 08442410507 to get this product. Alternatively, you can progress with TV only and get Sky Broadband and Talk products at a later date.
Last edited by pimmo2000; 27 May 2009 at 01:56 PM.
27 May 2009, 02:34 PM
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27 May 2009, 03:56 PM
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I would stick with Virgin. Especially if you will be making full use of the On demand service. Even when tv is rubbish and I have recored a pile of poop, the choice of programs to watch with virgin is great. Always something worth a watch.
Like previous people have said, of you are a gamer then virgin would be the best way to go.
I have 20meg broadband, which works out great for on line gaming on the 360. We can also be online as well as going live on the 360 with very little - no hanging with the gameplay.
Like previous people have said, of you are a gamer then virgin would be the best way to go.
I have 20meg broadband, which works out great for on line gaming on the 360. We can also be online as well as going live on the 360 with very little - no hanging with the gameplay.
27 May 2009, 04:30 PM
#17
My services have been offered regarding slow speeds ... I spent a long time in tech support and can just get one of the 2nd line guys to deal with it, missing out India and "processes"...
If not, I'm by no means a company man .. I don't care about VM's profit, I care about my fello poster
If not, I'm by no means a company man .. I don't care about VM's profit, I care about my fello poster
27 May 2009, 06:05 PM
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I have Sky HD and Virgin don't offer a package to compete with that, as far as I know they only show BBC and ITV HD at the moment. Ideal world for me would be all of Sky's content over the Virgin cable network.
For broadband I would definitely go for Virgin, had them before and it was excellent. Unfortunately I'm miles from my exchange and Virgin isn't available so I'm with TalkTalk who are a great improvement over Sky's offering which turned to pants during the evenings.
For broadband I would definitely go for Virgin, had them before and it was excellent. Unfortunately I'm miles from my exchange and Virgin isn't available so I'm with TalkTalk who are a great improvement over Sky's offering which turned to pants during the evenings.
27 May 2009, 09:20 PM
#21
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I have a Virgin Media v + box in the living room, and a standard cable box upstairs, all above board.
Virgin media do have limited (two at the moment) HD channels, but they will come in time.
The other services that are on offer with Virgin are much more extensive than what Sky offers. The ability to record two channels as well as watch another, or watch something already pre recorded. Also the on demand service means there is always something to watch.
The XL package is what I have, and it by far is much better than my frieds Sky plus box.
I also have the phone line with unlimited calls to 01 and 02 numbers, as well as the 20 meg broadband.
I know I would never go to Sky, easily said as I am a Virgin customer, but there simply isn't enough that sky could offer to make me think any differently.
Virgin media do have limited (two at the moment) HD channels, but they will come in time.
The other services that are on offer with Virgin are much more extensive than what Sky offers. The ability to record two channels as well as watch another, or watch something already pre recorded. Also the on demand service means there is always something to watch.
The XL package is what I have, and it by far is much better than my frieds Sky plus box.
I also have the phone line with unlimited calls to 01 and 02 numbers, as well as the 20 meg broadband.
I know I would never go to Sky, easily said as I am a Virgin customer, but there simply isn't enough that sky could offer to make me think any differently.
28 May 2009, 10:57 AM
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My services have been offered regarding slow speeds ... I spent a long time in tech support and can just get one of the 2nd line guys to deal with it, missing out India and "processes"...
If not, I'm by no means a company man .. I don't care about VM's profit, I care about my fello poster
If not, I'm by no means a company man .. I don't care about VM's profit, I care about my fello poster
I'm gonna stay as I am for the time being.
28 May 2009, 03:45 PM
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Be careful about discussing Starview type products on here as Pimmo says.
If you have one then keep it to yourself, there's no real way they can catch you unless you're reported but they are illegal (actually they're legal to own but breaks Terms & Conditions of Virgin to plug onto their network)
If you have one then keep it to yourself, there's no real way they can catch you unless you're reported but they are illegal (actually they're legal to own but breaks Terms & Conditions of Virgin to plug onto their network)
Last edited by Hanley; 28 May 2009 at 03:48 PM.
28 May 2009, 03:47 PM
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I have the 10MB package on Virgin, I get an average of 8.2MB on the broadband speed checker.
Its pretty stable, We both work from home and rarely have a problem. We have been offered the 20MB service as we are on fiber optic anyways, Might well take them up as in my experience they are the best ISP I have ever used.
Its pretty stable, We both work from home and rarely have a problem. We have been offered the 20MB service as we are on fiber optic anyways, Might well take them up as in my experience they are the best ISP I have ever used.
28 May 2009, 04:19 PM
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Be careful about discussing Starview type products on here as Pimmo says.
If you have one then keep it to yourself, there's no real way they can catch you unless you're reported but they are illegal (actually they're legal to own but breaks Terms & Conditions of Virgin to plug onto their network)
If you have one then keep it to yourself, there's no real way they can catch you unless you're reported but they are illegal (actually they're legal to own but breaks Terms & Conditions of Virgin to plug onto their network)
I much prefer SkyHD
28 May 2009, 09:03 PM
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