Phone line connection

RuffDriver

Recently moved into a new house and there is no landline set up. Have spoken to BT and they have quoted me £74.99 to get connected. Anyone know any cheaper alternative or way round this cost.

Thanks

sergeant121

Recently moved into a new house and there is no landline set up.  Have spoken to BT and they have quoted me £74.99 to get connected.  Anyone know any cheaper alternative or way round this cost.

Thanks

That's exactly the price I was quoted last year - but then they failed to turn up on the designated day so I got about 50% 'compensation'.

RuffDriver

Its a new property and differcult to find so might try somthing, like not answer the door and say they never turned up. But to pay near £80 for something that allows us to pay them more money is ridiculous.

mike_paterson

Your only other options are :
a) NTL/Telewest cable phone
b) Use a mobile

Regards
Mike

Steve_xx

Be careful if you choose not to go with BT. Most of the cable operators do not allow you "least cost route" over their exchange lines because they don't have to do. However, BT are forced, by the terms of their licence to allow you to use other carriers via their exchange line. So, don't be too hasty at eschewing BT because of their connection charge.

hapennypincher

If you can manage with an incoming line only the charge was £9.99 for a BT connection (this is a while ago - you would need to check the details on that!)
BUT after a year they did give you an outgoing line either free or another £9.99 

anita1

if they arrange a date then fail to turn up and need to make another arrangement, you can claim comp on the fact they have caused you unessary inconvienience,ie connection fee. hth

gt94sss2

Its a new property and differcult to find so might try somthing, like not answer the door and say they never turned up. But to pay near £80 for something that allows us to pay them more money is ridiculous.

1. This idea is unethical
2. BT have to charge you the new line connection fee - per Ofcom rules to recover the cost of installing the line.

The truth is that BT will already have installed the line while your property was being built. This is easier for BT, the builders and you (as you have no wiring visible) and it will only take a few minutes to finish the job.

However, BT have to recover the costs - the builders won't have paid them for doing the work.. - if you want to blame anyone I would blame the builders personally for being cheap (though its standard in that industry)

The only way you can avoid the BT charge is to get a cable line - thats if they are still building their networks (rare) and then you will have their wires coming in "visible" - then after you move - BT will just charge the next person instead.

BT only charge this once, after that "reconnection" is free

Regards
Sunil

RuffDriver

Thank you everyone for your input and advice