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cable or fibreweb? and how to best go about it...

hi all,

I would be grateful for some input on what people see as the best option for internet access, based on the below:

1. New flat, built a year ago. Previous tenants did not use any phone line - ie no phone number is registered with any provider (but there are sockets ready to use, so no physical installation of sockets necessary)
2. My exchange (Greenwich) was due to have gotten FTTC on 1 September (but hasn't yet ("RFS date set" - presume that means 'release for sale'?)). According to Sam Knows, I'm less than a mile away from the exchange.
3. I've been told I'm in a cabled area - but Virgin broadband, when I put in my postcode on their website, doesn't offer me cable broadband.
4. I would like to sign up to BE (no traffic shaping), but am told I need a BT phone socket first.
5. In line with point 2 above, BT do not offer BT Infinity yet to my postcode (SE10 9JU). However am aware there was a BT announcement on being able to upgrade later to BT infinity, at no cost or a small cost, depending on what package I take with them now before FTTC is put in place.

Now, ASSUMING that cable is available to me after all, would it be better to go down that route rather than fibreweb?
If cable is not available and I have to go through the phone socket, then is there any way of:
- just getting BT to do the socket, and get BE to be my ISP;
- upgrading with BE to a quicker connection once FTTC is in place?

Any other things or options you would be considering?

Cost, within reason (50 pound max a month), is not an issue. happy for one off payments if it gets me somewhere.

All input welcome.
 
Sadly postcode only checks are not very reliable, a better plan would be to find out one of the phone numbers for your closest neighbours and then put that through our check. This should clarify whether or not Virgin are available to you:

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/checker/

RFS = Ready For Service, although it could still take several weeks after that to deploy the necessary FTTC street cabinets. In any case if it's available, and assuming you are happy with the price, then Virgin Media's 50Mbps package is very good.

Regarding BE, you can certainly have BT put the phone line in and then get BE as your ISP later. However an alternative might be to wait a week or so longer because BE are due to launch their phone service this month and that may allow them to book both at the same time under their own name.

O2's front page broadband packages also use the BE platform (not the 'O2 Access' package though, which is best avoided) and offer a phone service. It's possible they might be able to help, but again you really need a more accurate coverage check first.
 
thanks a million for your reply - was about to order with BT when I read your message. Have phoned BE now and they are starting tomorrow, so will order with them.
 
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Yeah just posted the news on our front page ;) .
 
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