Best internet provider?

[hairydog]

I thought that virgin used their own cable network and not bt like other providers that's why it's so much faster

Virgin took over a lot of cable TV companies in some areas, but most of their "fibre" coverage is through FTTC using BT Openreach wires.
[Later]No longer true. Seems they don't offer the BT-based FTTC any more.

 

[hairydog]

In all honesty, a physical line can only stream data to you at the maximum speed that line is capable of. The only way you might notice a difference between providers is if one provider 'governs' down the speed it lets you use and another doesn't... plus contention ratio, sharing, etc. It's likely Sky was dragging you back if you're still on the same physical wiring and getting faster streaming from Virgin. Still makes it a better provider in my view though

For FTTC, it isn't strictly contention that limits the speed. It's a chain, and data flows at the slowest link's speed.
For cheap ISPs that is in the backhaul capacity they have rented.
Like road capacity, as soon as traffic exceeds about 80% of tthe channel's capacity, the capacity actually reduces, causeing even more slowdowns. Buying extra capacity to avoid this at busy times is expensive, so cheap ISPs don't tend to do it.

 

[Minisorella]

I thought that virgin used their own cable network and not bt like other providers that's why it's so much faster

I think that only applies if you're a cable customer. Don't Virgin do contracts through the BT network now? I could well be wrong!

Edit to say... it looks as though I am wrong! My confusion came about because I've got fibre to my house and was told I could switch to Virgin for fibre too, ie through the OpenReach infrastructure. Looks as though I was given the wrong information and Virgin don't use BT infrastructure at all. We don't have cable in Horsham or anything other than OpenReach. Shame but I'm very happy with BT just the same.

 

[Caz]

Mine is with Talk Talk - since they took over from AOL which I used before, since about 2001 I think. Somewhere along the line, they have bought the BT line out so now if I want to change I will have to pay £150 to get the line back.
I refuse to do that - they never told me they were doing it - so I'm stuck. It's not too bad most of the time but every couple of years around Christmas it gets bad. I ring up and complain and they spend hours checking the lines then send me a new router.

 

[hairydog]

Mine is with Talk Talk - since they took over from AOL which I used before, since about 2001 I think. Somewhere along the line, they have bought the BT line out so now if I want to change I will have to pay £150 to get the line back.
I refuse to do that - they never told me they were doing it - so I'm stuck. It's not too bad most of the time but every couple of years around Christmas it gets bad. I ring up and complain and they spend hours checking the lines then send me a new router.

They're the ones who were fined a record amount for repeated data breaches due to appalling data security. Whose customers have suffered loads of phishing scams as a result. And who provide a third-rate service at second-rate prices.
I suggest that you ask somewhere else about what it will cost to "get the line back". See the link below.
You can have a whole new line installed for about that much money.
I am pretty sure (but not certain) that moving away from TalkTalk is not anything like that expensive, if it costs anything at all.
However, they will inisist that you pay the balance of your contract term's monthly fees, so choose your move date appropriately.
This is how:
https://www.zen.co.uk/home/switch-broadband
This is why:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/n...f-our-latest-broadband-customer-service-poll/

 

[HurricaneSmith]

I am not an expert but when I migrated recently I was told by my daughter-in-law to do three things, and in this order:

1) Ring your ISP and ask one thing "When does my contract end please?" Do not get into any side issues, suggestions, or offers.

2) Do not accept a replacement router as she told me that could imply that you are accepting a new contract.

3) After the expiry date of your current supplier, go only to your chosen new supplier and ask for a migration, and they should do everything for you. Don't go to your existing supplier.

My daughter-in-law doesn't take prisoners, and my change went really smoothly.

 

[trevskoda]

With t/talk paying £39 mth standard line internet and free call 24/7 on blower,seen a good deal on martin l web page so got talking to tt again,new deal is fast fiber and free calls 24/7 plus new powerful router,deal price £28.50 pm,over the moon.