New builds, BT lines and not using BT

nifflespink · 23 October 2007 at 1:02AM

I'm about to move into a new build, and have been doing a spot of research into which phone/interent package I would like. I was quite interested in Talk Talk, and then I idscovered that they require I have a BT line. Of course, being a new build, there is no line at all yet, so hence I looked into getting connected. I have just about got over the shock of the £125 installation fee from BT. What I am confused about thogh is whether I can immediately use a different provider such as Talk Talk, as it seemd BT's small print mentioned a 12 month contract.

So exactly how does all this work? Will I have to commit myself to BT for 12 months to avoid a cancellation fee? Or will they allow me to switch? Bit confusled - have tried researching this in other threads but still not clearer. Thoughts appreciated!

Heinz · 23 October 2007 at 9:02AM

Like any of the other 'line providers' now in the market, Talk Talk could get a new line installed for you.

Don't bother asking them though because their way of doing business is to tell potential customers that they must have a working BT line before they can take it over. That's a lie.

What they really mean is they'd rather their potential customer pays BT (Openreach) to have the line installed and pays an additional £70 to breach their contract - so that Talk Talk can then take over the line for £3. So, you spend £194.99, they spend £3 and you then get the 'benefit' of a Talk Talk line.

As the Americans would say, "You do the math."

nifflespink · 23 October 2007 at 7:41PM

Hmmm, this true? That;s sneaky. So there's no way I could get Talk Talk to do it then?

I just called Talk Talk (before I read this post) and they told me that as they actuallY pay BT for the line rental, I shouldn't be charged the canncellation fee, as in effect BT are still getting their money. However they have had some customers with BT charging them anyway, so I need to make sure BT are aware that I'm not gonna be using them. Anyone got any experience with this?

normanmark · 23 October 2007 at 7:44PM

Thats a pack of lies.

Talk Talk have the option to install lines but for them its not financially viable for them to make a profit.

So like whats already been said they get BT to install the line & they piggy back on the charges for installation. Only person that looses out is the customer as they have to deal with two companies & two sets of charges.

As you'll have the line installed by BT this commits you to a 12 month contract with them. If you want to cancel then this will cost £70, this is regardless of Talk Talks involvement.

Basically they're leading you up the garden path. Dispicable & why anyone would want to use a company like Talk Talk & their lies is beyond me.

Heinz · 23 October 2007 at 7:57PM

nifflespink wrote: »

I just called Talk Talk (before I read this post) and they told me that as they actuallY pay BT for the line rental, I shouldn't be charged the canncellation fee, as in effect BT are still getting their money.

IMHO, that's nothing more than conman's chatter designed to confuse you (i.e. a small element of truth but only very small).

Yes, when Talk Talk haven't unbundled a particular exchange (known as Local Loop Unbundling or LLU), they just re-sell BT line rental (known as Wholesale Line Rental or WLR) at a small profit. WLR is a business arrangement which Ofcom forced upon BT allegedly in the interests of fairness and opening up the market.

What has that to do with the installation charge though? Openreach is the only company allowed to undertake such work on the network and they charge for that. So, as Talk Talk have refused to pay them to do so, you're having to get BT to and, not unreasonably, BT want to recover some of the up-front cost. £124.99 is less than BT has to pay Openreach BTW.

So, if you want a Talk Talk 'service', pay BT £194.99 and Talk Talk will, so to speak, provide it.

nifflespink · 24 October 2007 at 8:45PM

So in other words, if I want ladline, to avoid having to pay the cancellation fee, my only option is to stick with BT for a year?

nifflespink · 24 October 2007 at 8:46PM

So in other words, if I want a landline, to avoid having to pay the cancellation fee, my only option is to stick with BT for a year?

littlemissmoney · 24 October 2007 at 9:54PM

nifflespink wrote: »

So in other words, if I want a landline, to avoid having to pay the cancellation fee, my only option is to stick with BT for a year?

Yup. This post might interest you:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=576862

Drunkstar · 25 October 2007 at 8:24AM

littlemissmoney wrote: »

Yup. This post might interest you:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=576862

Huh, first I heard about it.

New builds, BT lines and not using BT

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