Comparing cable packages and deals couldn't be easier. By using our comparison tables you could save money and time.
Virgin Media is the only cable provider to offer cable services across the UK. Virgin have a wide range of
cable bundles and service to suit your budget and requirements. To check cable availability in your area, simply enter your postcode or telephone number in the boxes provided below. If you can receive cable, we will compare the best cable deals for you.
When many people think of
cable, they will still often think immediately of
television. Whilst it is true that one of cable's most popular uses is to provide premium
TV packages, its best use is now for providing a value for money combination of television,
phone and high speed internet Cable has increased in popularity in recent years due to the digital switch over, which is when the older analogue TV transmitters in the UK will be turned off, and digital equipment will be required to allow you to continue to receive TV.
Cable TV offers such a digital option, meaning a high quality digital service, even before the switch over. As well as that,
cable digital TV offers new services such as TV on demand, which allows you to catch up with programmes you've missed, or pay per view movies and sports events, which are accessed simply via your remote control.
There are also services available such as TV email, digital radio via TV, digital text, programmable TV guides and interactive TV services and games. Cable TV also allows you to watch premium TV channels, such as sports channels offering the English Premier League, without needing to get satellite TV.
At the same time as switching TV, many people are using the opportunity to see whether they can get a better deal on their phone and internet packages. Not only can cable offer better telephone service costs, such as free calls to other cable customers, but there is usually a discount for taking the service along with TV or internet.
Similarly, internet packages can work out to be very cheap when taken with another service from the same provider, although
cable broadband is very competitive on its own.
Cable
broadband uses fibre optic cables which currently offer some of the highest
broadband internet speeds ever available in the UK. Following the merger of Telewest and NTL, broadband services on the mainland UK are available via
Virgin Media, who also offer mobile phone services, and who offer 'quad play' packages which offer an overall discount for taking out TV, internet, telephone and a mobile phone offer. On the Isle of Wight, cable services are provided by Wight Cable, who also offer mixed TV, telephone and internet packages.
As broadband is delivered via physical cables under the ground, rather than radio frequency signals (i.e. terrestrial TV) or satellite signals (e.g.
Sky) the service is therefore restricted to those places where cables have been laid.
However, what this does mean is that you are likely to have a reliable service if there are cables in your area, as cable is less affected by weather and physical obstructions than other services can be.
Also, if there are any issues affecting your area, you only have to deal with one company, rather than - for example - needing to contact your telephone provider as well as your
internet service provider.
Cable is also one of the ways you can enjoy high definition TV, and take advantage of TV hard disc recording. Hard disk recording allows you to watch one station whilst recording another (or even recording two) making it an excellent method of experiencing the latest technology in home entertainment.
