Forum Discussion

emmzr's avatar
emmzr
Just joined
21 days ago

Digging up road?

Hi, 

I am a uni student trying to sort out my wifi for the next academic year. We were planning to go with Virgin for our wifi as we have used them in previous student properties and had 0 issue, HOWEVER, in this current house after getting our wifi selected etc we got a installation date of the 11th August (the day we move in) on Friday 8th we got told that it will be pushed to October. After complaining we got it to be installed 11th Sept. 

The reason it was pushed was because they need approval from the local authority to dig up the road to install wiring (I think?) Does this come at a cost to us as tennants, the landlord, the council, or do Virgin take this cost? 

Obviously we cannot afford this wiring but after googling it seems virgin only pay for installation to new builds or when expanding their network, no where does it mention about single households requiring roads to be dug up and who covers that cost. 

I have discovered that open reach seem to be the main providers (??) in the local area do we cancel the contract before we get any installation and switch wifi companies?

As you can probably guess I am not well-versed in this whole installation wifi department so any help I can get would be immensely appreciated. Thank you!!

Help!!

3 Replies

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person
    20 days ago

    You would be better to get a 30 day rolling SIM Router whilst waiting for VM.  If they have to dig the road up for one customer, it may not happen.  It's basic economics for VM, costs v's returns.  Have a look at options while waiting.

    Also note VM contracts are 24 months, so I hope you are planning on staying at least that long in the property. 

  • jbrennand's avatar
    jbrennand
    Very Insightful Person
    20 days ago

    If the road needs digging then the council need to issue a permit - this is usually quite quick (depending on the council) - you should be able to see if its been authorised on the council "work" website.

    VM will cover all costs of installation.  Furthermore, once installed you have 14 days in which to test it and cancel the contract if its not satisfactory - and incur no charges whatsoever.

    If VM installation gets stalled - there is nothing to stop you getting OR installed and then just sticking withe first one that is satisfactory