First Time Buyer - Switching Telephone Supplier

flemmo

Hi there,
I move into my 1st home next Thursday. The previous owner (current until Wednesday) has a BT landline and has a call package with them also but no broadband package, though broadband is available. I wish to switch to TalkTalk and have broadband from them also.

The owner has now moved into rented accommodation but the line is still active as I've rung the number.
I phoned BT stating my intentions and she said the phoneline would probably disconnected so the previous owner doesn't get billed. She also said TalkTalk would need an active BT line so I would have to pay £122.33 for reconnection and would need to stay with BT for my calls for at least a year!

I'm now totally confused. I expected to be able to switch to another supplier on the day I moved in and maybe be billed by BT for the transitional period, as with services. Could someone please advise me on what to do? Thank you.

deklan99

YesTalktalk require an active BT Wholesale line.
No, you don't need to use BT retail to active it, any worthwhile provider can do it.
Why ask BT retail to active the line if you've no intention of using their service?

flemmo

Because I wasn't sure if the line was already disconected and I still require a BT line. Also I wondered if there would need to be a transitional period with BT before switching. Finally I've never owned a house before, or had a telephone line, so I rung BT and came on here looking for some help...

Heinz

flemmo wrote: »

I move into my 1st home next Thursday. The previous owner (current until Wednesday) has a BT landline and has a call package with them also but no broadband package, though broadband is available. I wish to switch to TalkTalk and have broadband from them also.

The owner has now moved into rented accommodation but the line is still active as I've rung the number.
I phoned BT stating my intentions and she said the phoneline would probably disconnected so the previous owner doesn't get billed. She also said TalkTalk would need an active BT line so I would have to pay £122.33 for reconnection and would need to stay with BT for my calls for at least a year!

I'm now totally confused. I expected to be able to switch to another supplier on the day I moved in and maybe be billed by BT for the transitional period, as with services. Could someone please advise me on what to do? Thank you.

If the line is stopped (it's unlikely it'll be physically disconnected although that does happen sometimes) and you get BT to restart it, it should be a free reconnection.

However, you will be tied to a 12 month contract for line rental. If you breach that contract, BT will charge you for doing so,

Opt for the Unlimited Weekend Plan (the minimum) and you'll then be able to CPS your calls (please see the HERE link in my signature below) as soon as the line is operational.

jhp

Talk Talk are the UK,s third largest phone company after BT and Virgin Media and they still want reconnect existing lines or provide new ones for new customers. Cheapskates comes to mind.