BT or Virgin ?

[Paul K]

Hello chaps, and Happy New Year

I'm currently using BT Infinity, and generally have been pretty happy with it over the last few years. In the next few months, I will be moving home, and having checked my new address, BT is available, but at a lower download speed - about 30Mb/s compared to 70Mb/s where I am at the moment.

Virgin Media is also available at the new location, with much higher download speed, for about the same price.

I can do all the maths comparing speeds ( up and down ) monthly costs and so on, but the big question for me is whether Virgin are any good. By that I mean how reliable is the connection and the advertised download speed, how quickly do they resolve any problems, can you understand the accents at the call centre, do they bombard you with emails, cold calls and snail mail trying to sell you things you don't want, and so on.

Any advice/horror stories gratefully received.

[GHD]

I am with Virgin (broadband and phone only).

Fortunately I have only once had to endure an Indian advisor

In the last three years it has gone down only once for about three hours.

No nuisance calls.

I regularly get 200Mbs download and 12Mbs upload.

[Molyned]

George - I've been on Virgin cable for long before they became Virgin. Always get 100 mbs solid, never had a problem.
Cheers
Dave M(oly)

[Paul K]

Good advice so far, thank you. George, my elder daughter says Virgin has a UK call centre - when were you in contact with them?

[GHD]

It was prfobavly about a year ago.

My only gripe is that the cost goes up yearly.

I am currently paying £67.40 per month. New customers pay a lot less.

[Charlie Bravo]

My mum is with Virgin due to no other fibre service being available at the address.
She certainly has no issues with them, but as with any ISP, the supplied routers are only fit for the bin.

[Airspeed]

Er-hum, 'scuse me, Paul, but my download speed just checked out at 9.97Mbps, upload 0.97Mbps.
....and you're wondering whether 30 or 70 will be OK? I'll take either. thanks!
You DID ask for horror stories.

[Vancouver]

Comparison time...

edit - dammit pic wont show up -- 333.7 down 15.9 up.

[Buggyman]

331/221 WHAT?

Sorry for shouting but, after 11 years of badgering BT have finally given us access to fibre - the offer? Er, you really want to know? Up to 20mbs! Which if you put it into perspective that we almost get 3.5 - occasionally almost 4mbs - is a quantum leap into the unknown.

Perhaps we should move back to Yorkshire? (my neighbour says Yes, please do.)

ATB

Allan

[Paul K]

My mum is with Virgin due to no other fibre service being available at the address.
She certainly has no issues with them, but as with any ISP, the supplied routers are only fit for the bin.

Charlie, are you able to buy and use your own router with Virgin ? I'm told that with BT Infinity, only their own Home Hub router can be used, though I've never considered trying anything else.

Er-hum, 'scuse me, Paul, but my download speed just checked out at 9.97Mbps, upload 0.97Mbps.
....and you're wondering whether 30 or 70 will be OK? I'll take either. thanks!
You DID ask for horror stories.

Yes, but think of all the other things you enjoy in t'Outback: the sunshine, visits by friendly dingos, and, erm...more sunshine.