Help with new line (need to be added to BT database but want to go with Tiscali)

lbr102

I'm moving into a new flat shortly and need to get a line installed as currently I don't have one. Have decided that I would like to go with Tiscali for my broadband and phone but they use a BT line. I called up to enquire and they said that my address wasn't on the BT database, which Tiscali use. It's a top floor flat in an old converted building (they tried to question me on whether I was sure it was the top floor at not the basement!!!). Anyway the man on the phone advised me to call BT and ask them to add me to their database. He made it sound quite simple but surely if I call up BT and ask them to add me to their database as one of their competitors needs them to, then they won't do it, will they?! Has anyone been in this situation before? What should I do? I would rather get everything with Tiscali, not BT. Although the flat isn't new, I guess there hasn't been a line there before. Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers.

billsavings

Tiscali are not interested in providing new lines although they could if they wanted to.They would rather cherry pick BT,s customers. So your need to get a line connected , BT will charge £125 connection and then £70 cancellation before you can move to Tiscali.They do have a special £30 connection offer but this an 18 month contract.You will end up on Tiscali,s unbundled network , you then cannot get broadband from any other ISP ,and it may cost you to return to BT.


Having read many adverse comments about Tiscali on this site and other places i personally would give them a wide berth.

BritBrat

If it is so easy ask the Tiscali salesman to install the line for you.

lbr102

billsavings wrote: »

Tiscali are not interested in providing new lines although they could if they wanted to.They would rather cherry pick BT,s customers. So your need to get a line connected , BT will charge £125 connection and then £70 cancellation before you can move to Tiscali.They do have a special £30 connection offer but this an 18 month contract.You will end up on Tiscali,s unbundled network , you then cannot get broadband from any other ISP ,and it may cost you to return to BT.


Having read many adverse comments about Tiscali on this site and other places i personally would give them a wide berth.

Thanks for the advice. The thing is, Tiscali seemed happy to set up the line until they checked my flat number and told me it wasn't on their database and as they work of BT databases, they need BT to update their database before they can set up a line as at the moment it is showing up that my flat doesn't exist! I am going to try and look around for other providers after what you said about Tiscali not being great. I don't really want to go with BT for phone and net as they work out expensive. Only thing is, I have a feeling that the database will be the same with everyone. Does anyone know how I can resolve the database problem or has anyone else had this problem in the past?

BritBrat

The problem is not the database the problem is you are not on it.

Why are you not on it, because you do not have a BT line.

Can you get cable?

If not most people here will tell you to get the basic BT line installed with no extras just the basic line rental.

Then you can choose any ISP you like but make sure you are not going to get the line transfered to LLU and that you stay with BT for line rental.

Then you could follow Heinz advice to make the calls cheaper.
Heinz '7-steps' cost reduction


By the way Tiscali or any other telco company can ask Openreach to install a line for you, but they don't want to do that they want you to pay and arrange it all.

lbr102

BritBrat wrote: »

The problem is not the database the problem is you are not on it.

Why are you not on it, because you do not have a BT line.

Can you get cable?

If not most people here will tell you to get the basic BT line installed with no extras just the basic line rental.

Then you can choose any ISP you like but make sure you are not going to get the line transfered to LLU and that you stay with BT for line rental.

Then you could follow Heinz advice to make the calls cheaper.
Heinz '7-steps' cost reduction


By the way Tiscali or any other telco company can ask Openreach to install a line for you, but they don't want to do that they want you to pay and arrange it all.

hmmm..he seemed to be saying that I wasn't on the database because the flat is new and had never been registered. He could find the other flats in the building!

I can't get cable unfortunatly so I am going to take your advice and go for the basic BT line. I will also take a look at Heinz steps. Thanks for the advice.

raaboo

okay you need to get Royalmail database updated by contacting royal mail directly, once done get bt to install line and sign up for 3 month contract with them, then get tiscali to take it over- be warned though, tiscali may take you on to LLU (i.e away from BT Network) and getting back onto bt network could cost you as much as a new line installation! I work in wholesale telecoms and can tell you a lot about providers so any questions just ask!

BritBrat

okay you need to get Royalmail database updated by contacting royal mail directly, once done get bt to install line and sign up for 3 month contract with them,

You can't sign up to a 3 month contract it will be a minimum of 12 months.

And could you read the site rules and remove the link in your signature, only people on the approved list are allowed links in signatures.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=123850

abc12345_3

raaboo wrote: »

okay you need to get Royalmail database updated by contacting royal mail directly, once done get bt to install line and sign up for 3 month contract with them, then get tiscali to take it over- be warned though, tiscali may take you on to LLU (i.e away from BT Network) and getting back onto bt network could cost you as much as a new line installation! I work in wholesale telecoms and can tell you a lot about providers so any questions just ask!

Sorry to hijack and resurrect an old thread but I came across this as I am also about to move into a new apartment and need a new BT line.

I called them up and placed an order, and apparently there is no existing line so I will have to pay £125 for the new line, which I have accepted but am not too pleased about.

Also, the reason i'm getting the line is fro broadband, which i've decided to go with orange as i'm a customer so its £17 per month inclusive of the BT line rental (so really jusy 6.50)

Therefore, my question is, what will happen to the line? As mentioned above about switching away from BT line etc, will this mean I am ending my contract with BT, or are orange simply paying them for me?

Thanks a lot.

BritBrat

abc12345 wrote: »

Sorry to hijack and resurrect an old thread but I came across this as I am also about to move into a new apartment and need a new BT line.

I called them up and placed an order, and apparently there is no existing line so I will have to pay £125 for the new line, which I have accepted but am not too pleased about.

Also, the reason i'm getting the line is fro broadband, which i've decided to go with orange as i'm a customer so its £17 per month inclusive of the BT line rental (so really jusy 6.50)

Therefore, my question is, what will happen to the line? As mentioned above about switching away from BT line etc, will this mean I am ending my contract with BT, or are orange simply paying them for me?

Thanks a lot.

Welcome to MSE abc12345,

If you are getting a new line you will have a 12 or 18 month contract.

If you take your line rental away from BT it will cost you a £70 breach of contract cost, then on top of that there may be a breach in call contract cost.

If you are going with Orange your best bet would have been to get them to install the line (Yes they can employ Openreach too) but you have already got a BT contract now so that advice is a little late.

My personal advice is you stay with BT untill you are out of all contracts with them then think about changing.

As for the line install cost you need to read another thread here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=878915

mrposhman

abc12345 wrote: »

Sorry to hijack and resurrect an old thread but I came across this as I am also about to move into a new apartment and need a new BT line.

I called them up and placed an order, and apparently there is no existing line so I will have to pay £125 for the new line, which I have accepted but am not too pleased about.

Also, the reason i'm getting the line is fro broadband, which i've decided to go with orange as i'm a customer so its £17 per month inclusive of the BT line rental (so really jusy 6.50)

Therefore, my question is, what will happen to the line? As mentioned above about switching away from BT line etc, will this mean I am ending my contract with BT, or are orange simply paying them for me?

Thanks a lot.

Check out this link. I'm with BT and don't use the phone a lot. I tend to use jajah but like having the phone rather than the headset. We do make a few calls but we also need the connection for o2 broadband which I get for free anyway (nice).

This is a very basic package from BT but has NO minimum contract term, its basically a rolling contract that i think you need to give 30 days notice to cancel.

http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=23732