Virgin media is the best option for those seeking BT alternatives that never touch Bt lines.
Virgin operates a widespread coaxial cable network that’s completely separate from the Openreach phone line system.
The choice between BT versus Virgin Media is extremely common for this reason.
What’s the difference between BT and Openreach
Openreach Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group. We look after the copper wires and fibre cables that connect homes and businesses to phone and broadband.
Our customers are the 690+ communications providers who sell phone and broadband services to these households and businesses.
Why is Openreach separate from BT
Openreach was established in 2006 as a business division of BT. Following a series of reviews by Ofcom, in 2017 Openreach underwent a process of reform to be incorporated as a separate company within the BT Group, rather than a business division.
The change was required for competition reasons by Ofcom.
Which company uses Openreach
We supply network services to more than 650 service providers, for example Sky, BT, Vodafone, and TalkTalk, who use them to bring broadband packages to you.
Are BT and Openreach separation
Ofcom and BT have agreed that Openreach will become a legally separate business within BT.
Openreach’s management will be legally required to make decisions in the interests of all Openreach’s customers.
Around 32,000 staff will transfer across to the new company and all BT branding will disappear from Openreach.
Do all internet providers use Openreach
Most broadband providers, except Virgin Media, G Network or Community Fibre, use Openreach to access broadband in their homes.
Virgin Media and others, use their own cable infrastructure to supply customers directly with ultrafast internet connections direct to their premises.
Is EE part of Openreach
EE broadband review: Coverage EE runs on the same Openreach network as EE and most other UK broadband services, which means it has exactly the same coverage.
Fibre services now reach 93% of the UK population, while over 6 million homes are able to connect to a full-fibre FTTP network.
Does Virgin Internet use Openreach
BT vs Virgin Media: fibre broadband availability Unlike most other providers, Virgin Media doesn’t use Openreach and owns and operates its own cable broadband network.
Does Shell broadband use Openreach
Shell introduced full fibre broadband deals in November 2021, bringing speeds of up to 900Mb to millions of households.
These packages are delivered via the Openreach fibre to the premises (FTTP) network which covers 6.44 million properties at the time of writing.
Does TalkTalk use Openreach
Both BT and TalkTalk use the Openreach network. This means switching should be pretty easy and you should be set up with your new provider within about two weeks.
If you’re switching to BT, it will give you a switching date once you’ve placed your order.
Does kcom use Openreach
You only have access to KCOM. There are no Openreach or Virgin Media networks there, cutting you off from the vast majority of providers available in the rest of the UK.
Luckily, it’s not all bad news. KCOM does offer some of the fastest broadband in the UK, for starters.
Does Vodafone use Openreach
To make Full Fibre available to more homes than any other provider, Vodafone has created a unique combination of partnerships with CityFibre and Openreach.
Does Openreach have monopoly
BT have been accused of abusing their Openreach monopoly because it buys out other companies to make it seam like a fair market which generated almost 35% of operating profits in 2016, particularly by underinvesting in the UK’s broadband infrastructure, charging high prices and providing poor customer service.
Who are Openreach main competitors?
- Virgin Media – Virgin Media offers much faster broadband speeds than services which use Openreach
- 4G/5G mobile broadband – With the roll-out of 5G, mobile broadband is a real competitor to Openreach and offers great speeds
- Satellite Broadband – Broadband via a satellite dish
Does Fibrus use Openreach
Startup Fibrus takes on Openreach and Virgin Media.
Is hyperoptic part of Openreach
Because Hyperoptic doesn’t use the Openreach network, its engineers will need to install a separate ‘Hyperoptic Socket’ inside your home.
Can I pay Openreach to install fibre
Unfortunatley there is nothing you can do. You can’t pay extra to get a better service.
Your only options are satellite broadband, or getting a leased line but leased lines cost around £500-600 per month and are really aimed at businesses.
Why are Openreach in my street
Why is this? The Openreach availability checker checks to see if the street cabinet (the large green box on the street) is fibre enabled.
This means it has fibre capability and is ready to accept orders from all communication providers.
Which broadband providers do not use BT lines
Virgin Media is the only major ISP (internet service provider) to offer broadband without a phone line.
This is because it operates its own cable network that’s independent of Openreach.
What broadband companies are owned by BT?
- BT Broadband
- BT Superfast Fibre
- BT TV
- BT Sport
- BT Mobile
- BT Wi-fi
- BT One Phone
- Plusnet – internet service provider, provides mobile and fixed communications services to consumers in the UK
Do all Internet providers use BT
Most fibre providers use BT’s Openreach network, including BT itself, Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet, and EE.
Others, such as Hyperoptic, have their own network of lines.
Is BT better than TalkTalk
Winner: Draw – TalkTalk speeds are more reliable at entry-level superfast but BT have the edge on faster deals.
BT offer advertised broadband speeds of 10Mb, 36Mb, 50Mb, 67Mb, 100Mb, 500Mb and 900Mb while TalkTalk offer 11Mb, 38Mb, 67Mb, 145Mb, 290Mb and 550Mb.
Does Sky broadband use BT line
Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone all provide broadband using BT’s Openreach network.
Is Plusnet Fibre as good as BT
BT ranks 49th, with 45% of speed test results above 50 Mbps. In comparison, 26% of Plusnet speed test results scored above 50 Mbps.
Out of 1,442,075 speed tests recorded on the Plusnet network the fastest individual result was 924 Mbps.
Among 6,484,028 BT network tests, the fastest result was 5,442 Mbps.
Which is better Plusnet or BT
Winner: Plusnet are the cheaper provider and they don’t generally charge set-up fees. Aside from special offers, both BT and Plusnet offer a range of fixed price broadband deals.
Plusnet offer two fibre options at 36Mb and 66Mb average. BT also offer three standard fibre options (36Mb, 50Mb and 67Mb average).
Does Vodafone use BT lines
Yes, Vodafone’s Superfast fibre is delivered using BT broadband’s openreach network phone lines so if you want to purchase the superfast fibre you will require BT phone lines.
Is Plusnet cheaper than BT
Plusnet vs BT: cost Plusnet comes in quite a bit cheaper than BT. Plusnet standard, low-cost ADSL broadband service is on offer for under £20 per month at the time of writing (June 2021).
BT’s equivalent Unlimited Broadband package is significantly pricier.
Which is cheaper BT or Sky
Cost. BT TV is generally a lot cheaper than Sky TV – although both providers often have special deals and offers on.
Does Plusnet use BT lines
Plusnet’s service (as do all ISPs that aren’t LLU) uses the BT Wholesale backbone network.
Is Virgin cheaper than BT
If you are looking for entertainment channels, Virgin’s bundle is cheaper than BT’s but you do get a lot more with BT’s package.
Not only do you get access to channels from NOW TV’s entertainment pass, you get access to Netflix as well.
What internet is better BT or Virgin
Overall. Virgin wins by a mile on speed, but lags slightly behind BT when it comes to customer service; two of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a broadband provider.
BT has decent technology and some great extras, but if you want fast and reliable broadband, Virgin may be the way to go.
Citations
https://www.bt.com/help/broadband/do-i-need-a-bt-phone-line-to-get-broadband-from-bt-
https://fairinternetreport.com/compare/Sky-Broadband-vs-BT
https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2050976/fibre-isps-who-dont-use-bts-infrastruc%E2%80%8Bture
