Although I have around 14 months left on my current contract using Virgin 360 Box which is fine by the way, I get the feeling that these boxes might be phased out eventually to be replaced by Streaming Boxes. I also understand you cannot record on Streaming but have access to apps such as ITVX which carries previous transmissions of programmes such as soaps. Anyone aware of this?
It would be a substantial change of service to take away the recording ability without your agreement. A break of the contract by VM, leaving you free to leave.
Its more likely they'll encourage you to volunteer with words like ' upgrade' as they are doing with V6/360 conversions. That method gives you no comeback.
Forum TeamHey MrGiles22, thank you for reaching out and we can confirm 360 boxes are not being phased out.
We are just offering our customers the best possible value, some like the stream some like the 360.
Its all down to there preference.
Thank you for the reply good to know 360 boxes are not being phased out. I am aware that many broadcasters are now looking to broadband for TV transmissions rather than through aerials or sky dishes which would leave many would be viewers sidelined due to the fact that not everyone has broadband. Currently there seems to be problems with streaming boxes which can be difficult to activate for one reason or another. I wonder if this is a common problem with Virgin Boxes?
V360s require the conventional copper coaxial cable systems to operate. These are being replaced with full fibre, so when you eventually migrate to fibre, the V360 box will be replaced with Stream.
Virgin Media O2 announces 2028 full fibre upgrade plan - Liberty Global
Although there may not be a recognised phasing out of the V360 boxes, the intent to "upgrade its fixed network to full fibre to the premises (FTTP) by 2028" indicates that all customers will only be able to use the streaming boxes.
The upgrade plan only ensures the FTTP network is available in all existing cable franchise areas. Higher speeds (2Gb+ & Symmetrical) will be offered Fibre only initially, so I would expect some of the existing 10 million coax fed customers to still be using DOCSIS & conventional TV services well beyond 2028. Our local coax network infrastructure (cab amplifiers & tap blocks) was completely renewed 5 years ago, so there is no technical reason to rush into wholesale migration of customers.
If you want to record, you'll need to keep the 360 box. There's nothing official about closing them down, but that seems to be the way it's going.
New customers only get a streaming box, but at the moment they can pay an extra £50 for a 360. If they are on the very new full fibre connection then it's streaming only.
Just to add existing coaxial broadband only customers (like me) are only being offered the streaming box these days (for the record I am sticking with my ancient Humax box).
