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Cable TV

editorial@consumerchoices.co.uk

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Cable TV offers more channels than the free-to-view digital TV service Freeview. Review UK cable TV packages, providers and coverage before you buy. Updated on 15/06/2009.

What is cable TV?

Digital cable television is delivered to your TV via a fibre optic cable. The signal is then unscrambled with a set-top box allowing you to watch all the Freeview channels, all the channels within your subscription package and a host of free and paid-for on-demand programmes and films. There are also loads of digital-only radio stations and interactive services such as email and shopping through your TV.

Cable TV providers

Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com), is the UK's largest cable TV provider. Vrgin Media bought ntl:Telewest in 2006 and now offers digital TV, broadband, home phone and mobile phone packages.

Virgin Cable TV Packages

Cable television is delivered to your TV set via a fibre optic cable. The signal is then unscrambled with a set-top box allowing you to watch all the Freeview channels, all the channels within your subscription package and a host of free and paid-for on-demand programmes and films. There are also loads of digital-only radio stations and interactive services such as email and shopping through your TV.

Virgin Media TV packages

Company	Package Name	Channels	Broadband	Home Phone
	Virgin Media TV: M	65 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, LIVING and many more
	Virgin Media TV: L	100 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, Comedy Central, Bravo and many more
	Virgin Media TV: XL	160 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, ESPN, Disney Channel and many more
	Virgin Media TV: L + Broadband: L + Phone: M	100 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, Comedy Central, Bravo and many more

Is it just TV?

No, you can also get your broadband and home telephone through your cable connection. You can get them bundled, or you can choose to have any of these services separately.

What’s so good about it?

One of the great things about cable is that if you need a broadband connection but don’t want to pay BT for your phone line, then cable is the perfect answer as you don’t need an ADSL line to receive your broadband so essentially only pay the internet fee.

If you are a cable customer your phone line is not required to use cable broadband. This means you can make unlimited anytime phone calls using a VoIP provider as you’ll no longer need to pay the line rental you’re currently paying.

Vonage are the leading low rate VoIP phone provider for home and small business users, offering unlimited calling to landlines for a set monthly fee.

They also offer cheap digital television packages. Having a digital TV connection means that you won’t have any problems when the Government switches off the old analogue signal in your area, and you’ll also have a perfect picture without interference or the need for an aerial.

Any drawbacks?

Because it’s delivered via cables that run through the ground into your home, you need to live in a cable area. You can check if Virgin Media cable services are available using their website. A technician will have to visit your home to install equipment and there may be a charge for this.

If you decide to get your home telephone via cable too then you should compare the costs of doing this. While the base rate might be competitive, Virgin Media’s call charges aren’t as great, so take this into consideration before signing up.

Also, if you do switch to cable but then decide that you want an ADSL line again, BT will charge you a £125 reconnection fee.

Is cable TV right for me?

If you think that a cable connection would suit you, do a search using our calculator to see what options are available, for a detailed breakdown of all the costs, or to sign up.

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