home broadband

[Pimpernel]

Hello,
For the past 2 years, I've been making do with mobile broadband (40 Kbs), or wifi at the library at the weekend (50 Mbs).
I am now looking for a new flat, and I want home broadband. My preference would be Virgin (fibre optic cable) but the purpose-built flat I'm most interested in is not in an area where they supply this.
I don't want to have anything to do with BT engineers any longer, or the BT call centre (I'm a former client, or rather stew pigeon, of them), but it seems that Sky, TalkTalk etc. all use BT engineers, and BT phone lines. Is that correct?
Also, how do I find out where my exchange server is?
Thanks in advance.

[Buenchico]

Enter the postcode of the flat here:
http://www.samknows.c...dband/exchange_search

When you see the name of the nearest exchange, click on it.
Look down the column headed 'LLU operator presence'. That indicates which (if any) third party companies use 'Local Loop Unbundling' with that exchange. Such companies can install their own equipment and cabling. If, as with my local exchange, there are no companies shown as 'Available', any ISP you sign up to will have to take BT's wholesale product (using BT equipment and engineers).

Chris