Forum Discussion

Ratgirl12's avatar
Ratgirl12
Joining in
5 months ago

Help - rural address no broadband

We are in the later stages of buying a house that is in semi rural area and there is no broadband providers available at all (Annoyingly it's only 3 miles from where we currently live but is surrounded by forest). As two of us sometimes work from home I am starting to panic. I'm thinking of buying something like this. Could I then carry on using Virgin or would they not allow it? I really want to l to stay with Virgin for my email and TV channels. Any idea or can any of you suggest other options? I'm just being told that fibre is not at that postcode but that doesn't help me....

Linksys WiFi 5 Router, Tri-Band, 3,000 Sq. ft Coverage, 25+ Devices, Speeds up to (AC5400) 5.4Gbps - EA9500

  • jpeg1's avatar
    jpeg1
    4 months ago

    If you are going to sign up for a mobile data contract (which seems to be your only option if you move there), I would strongly suggest that first you check the coverage in the house on your phone with a SIM on the same network. If you are going to rely on the phone for all your internet coverage as well as TV, you will need a very good strong signal.

    You can also use it to find the best place to site the 4g modem, which will very likely be next to one of the upstairs windows.

    If the signal is not too strong you may have to rely on off-air TV with an aerial, but this will restrict your choice of channels. 

  • carl_pearce's avatar
    carl_pearce
    Community elder
    5 months ago

    I'm not sure how buying a third party router would assist getting an internet connection to your new home?

    If there are no providers in your area you need to look into other options:

    https://www.starlink.com/

     

  • nodrogd's avatar
    nodrogd
    Very Insightful Person
    4 months ago

    If Virgin do not service the address, you can no longer use Virgin. It's as simple as that.

  • Tudor's avatar
    Tudor
    Very Insightful Person
    4 months ago

    Looks like your only option is Starlink.

    • Ratgirl12's avatar
      Ratgirl12
      Joining in
      4 months ago

      Would me getting a modem and an unlimited 4G data sim be the way to go? I have been told that the 4G signal is good. I then need to get a router to enable all of our laptops, tv's etc to access that modem - is that right? As you can tell I have no idea and BT, Virgin and Sky are no help, as soon as they find out my address does not have fibre yet, they are not interested.

  • Roger_Gooner's avatar
    Roger_Gooner
    Alessandro Volta
    4 months ago

    Do you have a phone line but only narrowband, or not even a phone line? If the former it's possible that Openreach will upgrade (so check their website), if the latter I'd consider pulling out of the house purchase if possible. I certainly won't have bought my house without availability of broadband.

  • jpeg1's avatar
    jpeg1
    Alessandro Volta
    4 months ago

    If you are going to sign up for a mobile data contract (which seems to be your only option if you move there), I would strongly suggest that first you check the coverage in the house on your phone with a SIM on the same network. If you are going to rely on the phone for all your internet coverage as well as TV, you will need a very good strong signal.

    You can also use it to find the best place to site the 4g modem, which will very likely be next to one of the upstairs windows.

    If the signal is not too strong you may have to rely on off-air TV with an aerial, but this will restrict your choice of channels.