Sky

[chazza]

We're putting down new flooring in our house and know that at some point soon we will be wanting sky put in so we're going to take the plunge now so we can bury any cables under the flooring

Thing is, i have no idea what to ask for! Basically we would like Sky+ (basic package we think) and wireless broadband. The previous occupants of our house took the telephone number and we never got a new one but as far as I know the line is still there.

There is so much information on the sky site that I feel overloaded! Does anyone have any advice on what to go for/not to go for? Or know of any good deals?

Also, would it be possible to get the wiring installed, not use it at first and then subscribe to some package and use it when we've had more time to think about it?

[Lakitu]

I have the whole Sky package....sky+ (everything except the sports), wireless broadband and free UK telephone calls. I get all of that for �55 per month (which is excellent considering I was �44 just for my sky package before and �40 per month for my phone and broadband from BT before).

When I changed from BT to Sky for everything, I had a BT landline number already so I'm not very sure how you should go about getting that sorted, as if you call BT for a number, you'll have entered into a contract with them for 12 months.

Saying that, I still have to pay BT my line rental, so maybe the contract is novated across to Sky, which means if you do have to enter a contract with BT, you won't be breaking it if you go with Sky.

The best thing you can do is to call Sky and check that they provide a broadband service in your area and take it from there.

[whiskeryron]

Just one comment to make,as you are going to be new to Sky,go for the HD box, the output is absolutely brilliant & it will save you upgrading later on.Ron.

[ACtheTROLL]

forgetting the connection (lakitu's answer covers that v nicely)

define buried under floor ... is there a cellar/underspace ... or is it a solid floor?

if it's solid
burying cables is never a good idea ... especially if you are going to walk on them - if you must ... use conduit so you can pull new in should you need it

even better ... you can get real wood skirting with cable guides inside

but be careful if you breach the damp course it won't just be sky coming in under the floor

[ChuckFickens]

I'd suggest finding your local independent TV and aerial supplier and speak to them.

they will be able to pre install the cables for you and should explain to you all about the deals and how to go about getting sky as they will have far more experience in such matters.

[natalie_1982]

Lakitu, we have the same package as you but because we had to get a BT line installed we are contracted to them for 12 months. however,I got a leaflet from SKY last week and you can now pay line rental through SKY, which is only �10 p/m (cheaper than BT), and I will be changing over as soon as our BT contract ends.

Chazza, we have Sky+ HD (all sports / movies channels), broadband and telephone (free evening and weekend calls) and that costs just under �60 p/m.

[danchip]

if you have lived there over 6 months you'll need to pay bt to install a new phone line at a cost of �125

[Lakitu]

I pay my line rental through Sky for �10 too, but my BT 12 contract had already expired so it was a rolling contract and I could do whatever I liked, which is why I wasn't entirely sure about the legalities of that part. I've a feeling that Sky might be able to assigned a phone number to you (so THEY take out the contract), but you'd really need to ask them. These Companies tend to be very helpful so long as we're not moaning at them LOL.

As an aside, if you're going to get all the cables installed first, ask for an extra few metre's of it just in case you fancy a furniture re-arrangement later in life and find you're restricted to where the TV goes :o)

[natalie_1982]

Danchip is right, I had to pay �125 but SKY then add �125 to your account, so in effect, I didn't have to pay for SKY for a few months

[chazza]

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

We ended up having to get the phoneline reconnected (which we were able to do for free despite living in the house over 3 years!) and have to pay �10 a month to BT for the line rental

Then we're paying �17 pm for the basic package, sky plus and 2mb of broadband. Locked into both for 12 months but got free box and installation from sky.

It wasn't going to be connected before the floor went down anyway so we're just going to hide it behind the skirting instead of below the wooden floor