roaringmouse

I'm not a fan of the TV licence, and think that all channels of the BBC should go commercial (except keeping the kids channels and maybe 1 mainstream channel (either BBC1 or BBC2) advert-free). The BBC group is already very commercialised.

Also, with the current TV licence setup, I have often thought that those paying for satellite and cable should have a TV licence component included in the charges, so they don't need a separate licence for the time they have satellite or cable.

I would say that mainstream sports should probably go on commercial digital terrestrial TV, and perhaps keep the more minority ones to pay tv. Making the decision of what should be on free and pay would be a tough one in some cases. It can also get difficult when sports are being broadcast from outside the UK, and the host broadcaster decides what they charge.

dontheturner

You guys, might be like myself. I was shocked to discover that BLIND people, have to pay half price for a license. I reckon they should get it Free.

The other anomaly - (not conected, I know,) is when your other half, falls off their perch, you only get 25% discount on your Council Tax! - where do they think your income comes from?

dunroving

That's really a single occupant discount rather than a "wife moved out or moved on" discount. If a wife moved on but you had a lodger, you wouldn't get a discount at all.

This bloody society is stacked up against single people, I tell you. My water rates and Council tax are the same as next door (6 occupants), even though I only run the shower once a day, and only put the bins out once a month (I recycle and compost, and try to buy food in biodegradable packaging). It's only me watching one telly, too ... and I don't have kids going to school ... and I only take up one parking space on the road.

dontheturner

Dun, You can get out of that water rates crap - same as I did , ask for a FREE water meter, it is so much cheaper. They must think your income, grows on a tree down the garden. don

dunroving

Nope, you can't do that everywhere in the UK ... only some local authorities. In particular, Scotland seems to do everything differently! So I pay the same as folks who have a houseful of people.

To me it's also ecologically stupid - where's the incentive to restrict your water output if it's a flat rate regardless of how much you use?

izzi81

I would recommend O2 for a broadband and phone bundle, that is what we have now and we've had no problems, fast connection, and one of the cheapest I could find as well.

needsomegoodadvice

Hi.
You can now have sky unlimited talk and broadband without having to have their minimum tv subscription(19 pounds).

Sky unlimited talk is 24/7 free calls to all uk numbers starting with 01,02 03 you can talk for an hour and then hang up and call them back,you can also include 20 international countries including U.S.A (free calls)all this for 5 quid a month.

Sky line rental is 11 quid.

Sky has unlimited broadband for 7.50 pence.

I figure not a bad deal...and if you get the right person on the phone..sometimes they will give you a deal.

Jack.

dunroving

Must say that my experiences with BT broadband have been pretty disappointing, from the viewpoint of cost, technology, and customer support. Oh, I guess that would be everything, then.

Unfortunately, where I live I don't have much choice.

brits1

Hi...I found it overwhelming the choices here in the U.K.....took me weeks to ask around and do my homework...and you still never know if you have chosen correctly..lol...for us in the end we went with Sky (in Aus for us we had to have this service as we found local t.v to be quite poor in choice) as we like sports and documentaries....saying that we survived lol...watching freeview for about 8 weeks along with normal t.v and I found that good enough....we went with Talk Talk for our landline and internet....we have a very good deal and so far touch wood no problems....again I went on friends and families experience....As Dunroving says...its all about money....but alas thats the world over...at least we are paying less here for our total package than we did in Australia.

geeandtee

We did go for Sky for the TV, it was all hooked up today, in under an hour.

My BT Home Hub arrived today so I now have Broadband and the speed is pretty good. I also get to speak to friends and family (phone calls) for 2 and a half pence a minute, which is a better deal than I had in the States.