Virgin Media Community

[robbo321]

Hoping someone can help me with a pre-installation question. 😁 I tried Virgin Customer Services with this but they werent able to answer. 

Im a new VM customer, and am getting Broadband and phone.

No TV. 

I would like to understand the cabling between the outside wall entry point and the internal virgin kit. Running internal cables is really tough in my house (wooden floors, not wanting surface running to spoil the decor etc) - so trying to work out which cables are needed where.

Specifically:
- which type of cable is run between the outside wall box and the Virgin Hub?
- am I right that the phone is now serviced from a cable from the Hub itself rather than a separate cable from the outside box to a phone socket?
- are there any other internal cable runs I need to worry about for the install for broadband and phone? 

Thanks in advance!

[goslow · Accepted solution]

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@robbo321 wrote:

Hoping someone can help me with a pre-installation question. 😁 I tried Virgin Customer Services with this but they werent able to answer. 

Im a new VM customer, and am getting Broadband and phone.

No TV. 

I would like to understand the cabling between the outside wall entry point and the internal virgin kit. Running internal cables is really tough in my house (wooden floors, not wanting surface running to spoil the decor etc) - so trying to work out which cables are needed where.

Specifically:
- which type of cable is run between the outside wall box and the Virgin Hub?
- am I right that the phone is now serviced from a cable from the Hub itself rather than a separate cable from the outside box to a phone socket?
- are there any other internal cable runs I need to worry about for the install for broadband and phone? 

Thanks in advance!

---

Have a look through the VM new build handbook

https://www.virginmedia.com/content/dam/virginmedia/dotcom/images/shop/downloads/New-Build-Handbook-...

which will give you a general idea of VM fixtures and fittings. Keep in mind though, for new builds, most of this will all be built into walls when the new building is constructed.

Internal cabling to the VM hub is coaxial cabling (probably about 6 to 8mm diameter). It is surface clipped usually.

VM's phone service is provided from a telephone connection point on the back of the VM hub (which replaces the old 'telephone master socket'). An ordinary telephone connects there via an adapter supplied by VM.

Any other wiring is your choice (e.g. ethernet cables to the VM hub for network connections or more telephone cables around the home for telephone extensions). VM won't do any of this extra cabling though when they install.

[Andrew-G]

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@robbo321 wrote:

- which type of cable is run between the outside wall box and the Virgin Hub?
- am I right that the phone is now serviced from a cable from the Hub itself rather than a separate cable from the outside box to a phone socket?
- are there any other internal cable runs I need to worry about for the install for broadband and phone? 

Thanks in advance!

---

Even if you're on the newer parts to the VM network that use fibre optic to the house, they'll still need to run a coaxial cable between the wall box and your hub - there's usually an outside "omnibox" and then an inside termination box mounted on the wall of the room it is installed in.  The coax looks like standard coax, although VM use a special grade suitable for cable internet.  As with all coax it's not very subtle, there's a minimum bend radius that means it won't fit tightly if run round a corner, and once installed it's not easy to change.  Expect the installer to be willing to run cables where required, but also expect that whacking in a few cable clips is the height of the installer's finesse.  If you've just finished a plus refit, make sure you're happy with the way they plan to do it.

I believe all new installs use a cable from the hub (older installs had a separate wire coming from a phone socket on the wall).  The hub to phone cable is a standard RJ11 cable, you can buy longer or shorter ones as you require.

If you have a true fibre connection to the property, then you'll also need a nearby mains socket to power the optical unit, with a DC power lead from the wall wart PSU to the inside wall box.  Also think about any other ethernet cables you might want to run, eg to a wireless access point, an ethernet connected TV, or an ethernet switch, as well as the position of the hub.  Also, if you stick the hub unobtrusively behind a TV in the corner then you won't see it, but you'll also be at risk of obstructing the wifi signal, and the hubs aren't famous for wifi in the first place.

[robbo321]

Thanks both - super helpful

Quick question on the coax cable running to the Hub. The cable run I need already has some coax cable in place (pre-existing to 1 satellite and 1 aerial socket I dont use). One of them is RG6 and the other RG6 shotgun. 

Any chance the installer would be able to make use of that? Or would they insist on their own cable?

[nodrogd]

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@robbo321 wrote:

Thanks both - super helpful

Quick question on the coax cable running to the Hub. The cable run I need already has some coax cable in place (pre-existing to 1 satellite and 1 aerial socket I dont use). One of them is RG6 and the other RG6 shotgun. 

Any chance the installer would be able to make use of that? Or would they insist on their own cable?

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A VM tech won't use any existing coax. Virgin is unique in that the radio spectrum they use inside the cable is already in use by services outside it for other purposes (eg. Mobile Phone services). Any ingress of this creates noise on the network which disrupts their services. It can also track back to the cabinet from a customers property & disrupt everyone else on that cabinet. VM use specialist triple screened cable for the purpose.

[robbo321]

Thanks!

[goslow]

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@robbo321 wrote:

Thanks!

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If you are seeking to hide the cables as much as possible (but without invasive building works!), have a look at the D-Line range of trunking which comes in a range of styles and formats and (IMO) looks a lot better than regular electrical trunking. Can be fitted over/in front of skirting etc. and can be painted if required.

https://www.d-line-it.com/trunking/