BT Lines + New House

[smithyandco]

Alreet... well...

 

About to move into another house and I suspect it has no BT line... The telegraph pole with all the lines attached has a spiders web of cables coming off it going to every house except our new one on the street.

 

Also there is a NTL telephone line installed.

 

I know the power of Google could provide the answer to the following questions but that involves not be lazy (ironically I would have been quicker looking than typing this).

 

Picture of line coming into the house:

 

http://a.imageshack.us/img530/3563/imag0113.jpg

 

Right questions:

 

1. That is definitely a NTL only Line?
   
2. Is it possible for BT to setup a new one?
   
3. If so... How much does it cost?
   
4. Is Virgin still as shiit as it's always been?
   
5. Would I get just phone and BB through those 90s boxes?
   

[shawdreamer]

Right questions:

 

1. That is definitely a NTL only Line? no, bt and ntl use near enough the same internal systems.
   
2. Is it possible for BT to setup a new one? its what they'll do anyway, they prefere to install their own equipment regardless of existing stuff
   
3. If so... How much does it cost? last time I changed from C&W ages back it cost £70+
   
4. Is Virgin still as shiit as it's always been? from what Ive heard its still cack
   
5. Would I get just phone and BB through those 90s boxes? yes but the BB will be technically limited to around 5.5mb as it is with all phoneline dependant BB (ones that use the standard bt lines in other words)
   

[stoo2000]

Right questions:

 

1. Would I get just phone and BB through those 90s boxes? yes but the BB will be technically limited to around 5.5mb as it is with all phoneline dependant BB (ones that use the standard bt lines in other words)
   

I call BS

 

Current speed limits thru PSTN lines are around 24mbps (ADSL2+)

[smithyandco]

Right questions:

 

1. That is definitely a NTL only Line? no, bt and ntl use near enough the same internal systems.
   
2. Is it possible for BT to setup a new one? its what they'll do anyway, they prefere to install their own equipment regardless of existing stuff
   
3. If so... How much does it cost? last time I changed from C&W ages back it cost £70+
   
4. Is Virgin still as shiit as it's always been? from what Ive heard its still cack
   
5. Would I get just phone and BB through those 90s boxes? yes but the BB will be technically limited to around 5.5mb as it is with all phoneline dependant BB (ones that use the standard bt lines in other words)
   

Because I'm a pain... I looked on BTs website.

They had a chat function (at 9pm!!! - You know that's going to India).

 

They said they cannot use the NTL line as it's an underground cable line and the telegraph pole need to be connected to our new house for BT.

 

They said it's £29.99 at the moment (usually £127)

 

What I meant about BB is, is it possible to get BB via the cable part of the NTL boxes (ignoring the phone line)?

But if it's still shiit... I'll stick with BT and O2/BE BB

 

Anymore opinions of Virgin Media?

[sidrick]

Virgin Media are one of the ISPs that keep tabs on what you download and where from (I know all of them do) but Virgin Media are one of the ones linked to issues with media and film labels prosecuting.

[smithyandco]

Virgin Media are one of the ISPs that keep tabs on what you download and where from (I know all of them do) but Virgin Media are one of the ones linked to issues with media and film labels prosecuting.

Feck that!

[shawdreamer]

Right questions:

 

1. Would I get just phone and BB through those 90s boxes? yes but the BB will be technically limited to around 5.5mb as it is with all phoneline dependant BB (ones that use the standard bt lines in other words)
   

I call BS

 

Current speed limits thru PSTN lines are around 24mbps (ADSL2+)

 

call Sky and request the unlimited broadband package..... when they ask wether what area your in and discover your still on the original bt line network they'll warn you that the average of 5.5mb is likely the highest you will receive (even thats dependant on how close you are the you exchange box) and you wont be able the utilize the 20mb+ broadband speed that comes with the package until your local network is upgraded to accomodate the higher broadband speeds regularly seen nowadays.

 

I made the obvious assumption that his local netork is likely still the original as it still uses poles and washing lines.

 

I cureently can only top my own broadband speed out at about 8.5-9mb due to our area not yet being upgraded (scheduled for the end of this year - early next year)

[smithyandco]

I made the obvious assumption that his local netork is likely still the original as it still uses poles and washing lines.

My current line is a "washing line" running at 13Mb/s on ADSL2+

 

I think it's the same exchange at the new house also... but I'll be closer. So with a new line I should get a better speed surely?

[Mk6 Si Ross]

we had bt put in our house when we moved in 5 years ago, they had cable there. Bt told us it would be criminal damage if they were to even touch the cable wiring!

[scottg17]

If you are moving house then id try speaking with home movers, If the house is on the same exchange as your old line then they should be able to move your number and broadband (if its with BT) to your new house

[Brown]

Virgin DO monitor your shared files, at least via P2P networks (such as Limewire). My Dad has had a letter previously, a 'written warning', when he allowed a track on his hard drive to be shared via Limewire. I don't use P2P's/torrents, as there are better ways of sharing files. In any event, they do monitor this.

 

As for Sky broadband speed, I had Sky unlimited in my last apartment and regularly downloaded over a wireless network at 1.3mb/ps. For what most people download, that is a great speed.. regardless of whether it is maxing out the 20mb potential.

 

As for Virgin vs Sky.. I've had both and I still think Virgin are way ahead in terms of customising what you want to watch with the likes of BBC/ITVplayers, the sizeable library of stored tv shows and programming, and they have now (as far as I am aware) introduced HD services across the Sky Movies channels.. which they didnt previously have. If I could get Virgin in a flat, I'd have it.

[SteveB]

Unless you have another box lurking around somewhere you don't have a BT phone line coming into your house. What you have there is an old style NTL cable installation. The 90's box is a surge arrestor - newer installations use a smaller box.

 

Virginmedia - formally NTL - run their own cables from the distribution box into your property. You can get BB, cable TV, and phone all from Virginmedia using the installation that you have. The cable from the box to your property is copper, but the one from Virginmedia to the box is fibre optic, so the relatively short copper section doesn't limit you the same as the PSTN line can. I know the horror stories - all ISPs have them - but you really can get 50 meg if you're prepared to pay.

 

I was on NTL BB for years before the Virginmedia buyout. As far as reliability goes I have had a total of 3 service breaks in 10 years - 1 broken cable, 1 water ingress, 1 lightening strike. Data rate is at the cap most of the time. Sorry, that sounds like an ad...

 

However, since the phone line is not BT, if you want Sky you will need to get BT to install a line for you first, and also currently Sky, BT, Virginmedia, 02, Talktalk, and Orange ALL monitor your downloads.

[shawdreamer]

and also currently Sky, BT, Virginmedia, 02, Talktalk, and Orange ALL monitor your downloads.

 

 

I dont see the issue with this that really gets on peoples nerves

 

granted it seems a minor invasion of privacy but unless your downloading kiddie porn its hardly an issue that requires uproar.

 

I use Sky for my entire package, 25mg broadband (limited speed atm as I mentioned) with a unlimited download cap (which I taken advantage of on many a occasion), phone & TV and barring the limited speed atn which will be rectified at the end of this year Ive never had reason to complain, they even tried to get me to take a cheaper broadband package with a discount when they realised I wouldnt get top speed for a while.

[stoo2000]

and also currently Sky, BT, Virginmedia, 02, Talktalk, and Orange ALL monitor your downloads.

 

 

I dont see the issue with this that really gets on peoples nerves

 

granted it seems a minor invasion of privacy but unless your downloading kiddie porn its hardly an issue that requires uproar.

 

I use Sky for my entire package, 25mg broadband (limited speed atm as I mentioned) with a unlimited download cap (which I taken advantage of on many a occasion), phone & TV and barring the limited speed atn which will be rectified at the end of this year Ive never had reason to complain, they even tried to get me to take a cheaper broadband package with a discount when they realised I wouldnt get top speed for a while.

Keep an eye on this site: http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/LVRNE

 

Your 21CN RFS date is March next year.

[Gadge]

Every ISP is known to monitor the downloaded / uploaded content for obvious reasons (mostly indecent images of children). VM do employ a large computing forensics and security company which have involvement in the copyright aspects and in the security of the services provided (i.e TV / hacked modems).

 

Overall I find the broadband provided by Virgin media to be excellent, across the country in both PureNTL and EXcw areas. We currently get TV (60ish channels), 10mb broadband and evenings and weekends phone for £35ish a month which isn't too bad really.

 

The only downside is that they have now merged the modem and router together into a crappy hub for new customers.

Edited September 8, 2010 by Gadge