Suggestions please on Virgin packages and other options

[ksareen]

Hi all

All of a sudden, yesterday my chipped starview and dreambox came up with errors of signal/ service not found. I could not even get BBC1 or any of 5 channels.

I used to have Telewest broadband and phone line but I switched to BT 2 years ago. Even then, the telwest line was active which is why the cable boxes were working till yesterday. I think I've been switched off now from somewhere??

Now I've a BT line with excellent free wireless broadband from Orange. If I get a virgin line (£11) which comes with free digital TV, then I will loose Orange broadband when I cancel BT.
Keeping both lines does not make economical sense. Getting basic package from Virgin (wired broadband + TV + phone line) is £20 along with £30 installation charge.

What should I do? Someone suggested to install a dish and then you can get lots of channels including FTA but I've no experience of satellite TV before..

Could I've some suggestions please? Both broadband and TV are required by us. We are in Basildon, essex (SS14).
Thanks..

[kai92]

go reconnect yourself at the green cab at the end of your street

[sqwidge]

for those of us who dont know how to do that, how would one re-connect themselves as i have seen inside and its a ton of wires, do they have your door number etc to distinguish you from another?

[homer@shack]

try and plug arial connection direct into tv, bypassing starview, tune tv you should pick up standard 1 to 5 with maybe 1 or 2 extra channels. if you do your feed from the street is still active.

[ksareen]

thanks for your replies, checked directly, bbypassing starview, no channels found on scan...

what does a green cab look like? Is it easy to open and does it have a door numbers?

[madtrev5]

erm if i remeber right the door on the cabs are alarmed unless thats just the c cabs

[welshcake]

Next time you see a VM van ask the driver if you drop him £20 to just connect you back up just state your mum likes watching the basic channels and they switched you off. Most of the guys I have spoken to a good guys trying to get an extra couple of £££ in these hard times.

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by ksareen

Hi all

Keeping both lines does not make economical sense.

You are joking right?
With £11 a month you get free TV. You don't have to use the phone do you.

If you want the network reconnected, then this is your best option. Start messing with Virgin's connection box outside, and you are asking for trouble in my opinion.

Originally Posted by welshcake

Next time you see a VM van ask the driver if you drop him £20 to just connect you back up just state your mum likes watching the basic channels and they switched you off. Most of the guys I have spoken to a good guys trying to get an extra couple of £££ in these hard times.

Shame on any Virgin Engineers that do this.
It is biting the hand that feeds them!

[lucky13]

I totally agree with robbo subscribe to virgin, you are already saving yourself a whole heap

[Confused Stu]

Another vote for "get a subscription".

If the problem with getting a phone is you lose your Orange broadband, I wouldn't be too worried about that. Two of my mates have Orange broadband at "up to 8mb". One gets between 1-3Mb on speed tests and one gets .5-1Mb. I used to have the 4Mb Telewest broadband and the speed tests said 3.8-4.1Mb every time. They've now changed that package to 10Mb and my speeds are 9-10Mb every time. Downloading a large file at 900Kb/sec beats the hell out of my mate's 40kb/sec!

I'd say get phone and broadband from VM (then get your *ahem* free TV back too!) and give yourself some choice with provider when it comes to mobile phone renewal time.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide and how you get on.