Wireless broadband in rented accommodation

[sabatier]

Hi,

I'm about to move into a flat in central London which has no internet. I've been told that I could get a sky box which would give me sky tv channels and broadband, but I think you need a phone line?? I don't have a phone line. Is there a way around this?

The other thing is, I'm only going to be in London for a year, so I don't want to get locked into a long contract which forces me to be a customer forever. I should say I am more than a casual internet user. I would envisage downloading a LOT of stuff and speed is very important to me. I've seen deals with ISPs that are really cheap but I have the feeling that you're restricted in how much you can download.

I'd appreciate any advice.

Cheers!

sabatier

[handscombmp]

Unfortunately if you want sky you need to get a phone line as they require it's connected to a phone line for 12 months (the min contract term so if your in london for a year you'll be ok).

As for broadband sky's probaly a good bet as it does come free with they're tv and you can go faster and get more usage for extra a month.

You mentioned you want good speed well that definitely means that you need a fixed line.

On this website you can create sky combinations.
It comes to £43.50 a month for all the sky entertainment packs (not movies or sports), unlimited broadband (20meg), free evening and weekend calls and your line rental. With a £60 one off cost.

Only sky's top package is unlimted and if your really worried about not being restricted I suggest you alse check out Be.

You may also want to visit Sam Knows to see which ISP's are available.

[freakyshadows]

Are you in a virgin cable area?

With the internet obviously you dont need to pay line rental - faster than ADSL!

Then just use skype or mobile for phonecalls?

[Biscuit]

ifyou have an O2 phone then the O2 broadband deals are pretty good. Cant argue at the speeds they tend to offer either.

Just have to deal with the whole getting a phone line installed.

[just-me]

How about a 3 mobile broadband dongle? I've got a pay as you go one that I use when I'm away from home and it's reasonably fast and cheap. I'd be happy to use it as my main connection if I had a problem with my cable broadband.

:¬}

[scaryjim]

3G dongles are a good plan if a) you get good reception and b) you don't get overly contended.

I got mine when we moved to Salford and we were lucky if we got dial-up speeds most evenings and at the weekend, but when we moved across Manchester to Longsight we started getting a pretty consistent 1Mb all the time. A few companies do 1 month contracts now (and there's always pay as you go), so it might be worth trying one for a month or two and seeing what kind of speeds you get, rather than diving straight into a 12 month contract for a landline. 3 have started doing an all-in-one 3G dongle and Wireless Access Point, so you can even share your mobile broadband (if you're signal and contention allow it!)

The other option, of course, is to just get the landline straight away - that way your minimum term will be up just as you're moving out anyway...