Virgin Media cable, how much to replace?

[booomshackalack]

We had building work done many years ago in our front garden (very elevated terrace) and the builder cut through the cable used by Virgin Media by accident. We have never used this so weren't overly concerned at the time however, now the kids are older we are having issues with our very slow Broadband (Sky) and superfart options here are limited.

It seems Virgin is our best bet, but does anyone have any idea how much it would cost to repair the cable? DH can't remember exactly where the cable was cut and there are almost 20 steps up to our front door so it's quite elevated before the cable even reaches the building.

If I'd never used the cable, I'd be tempted to call Virgin and sign up (make sure you get a decent offer). When it doesn't work, they'll send an engineer. How would they know you knew the cable was cut? How will they prove who cut it?

From their point of view, this is no worse than offering service to any other new customer in a property without an existing cable. As far as I can remember they routinely just send a crew to run a cable from the street, without charging any extra for it.

Move somewhere with better superfart options?

Sounds like an idea @CasperGutman although there might be anarchy at home if there's no working WiFi...

Yes just sign up, if we had it they would have to put the cable in, if you had recently moved into the house you wouldn't know anything about this and it wasn't like it was you that cut the cable

good typo or autocorrect there @smooththecat

A few years ago, I accidentally cut through the cable while pruning a hedge that it ran alongside. I reported it, told them that I was to blame and they repaired within a couple of days for free. Don't know if that's still the policy but I was impressed.

Can't you keep the existing broadband in place until the Virgin service is up and running?

Personally (ex telecom employee) I would rip out all visible wiring and then sign up as a new customer with no knowledge of any previous installation.

that’s what we did in DS and DDs houses, they then had a full new install with new wiring in the route we wanted it. It didn’t cost anything for the install (BT) - Virgin won’t know or care that you didn’t just move in recently. they just want your business.

Also yes to getting your new install and being happen with it before you give notice on your current one.

Have you checked with sky? They were able to get us a faster connection that wasn't available a few months ago last month