New to home phones-line activation.

ollyhtafc

Hello, i'm new to home phone's and i have just moved house.
The property has a phone line, i assume that it is BT, am i correct that it must be BT...it can't be anything else?
If i wanted to start using the phone line would i have to get it 'activated'-a term which i have read on Martin's guide? And if so...would activation mean i have to start paying line rental from that date?

I ask these questions because i want broadband, not necceserally a home phone, but in order to register for o2 broadband i need to supply a phone number..which i don't have!

Thank you for your time.

aamuk

I think the first thing you have to do is to see if the line is functioning at all by connecting a phone to the socket. If it has a dial tone, then getting connected should not involve an 'activation' cost.

If there is a dial tone try dialing 17070 and see if it gives you the number for the line and make a note of it. You should them be able to call BT on 0800800150 and get the line connected, where they have to setup an account for you. Once this is done you will have to pay the monthly line rental. The only time you can have a problem is when the previous occupants had their service provided by one of the LLU providers and not BT.

If there is no dial tone, then the line will need activation and BT, or whoever else, normally levy a charge for this. If this is the case, have a look at the thread about the free BT installation offer.

Once you have your line connected you should be able to get o2 broadband ordered.

ollyhtafc

Thanks for your quick reply As soon as i get home i will do this.

I just have one more question-sorry everyone!

I now see that Sky have an offer that would better suit my needs (16.00 p/m + BT line rental for phone, broadband and TV).

If i head home and my line is activated, but not connected, should i just need to ring sky and quote my phone number, and they will sort out the connection, or do i need to ring BT, get them to connect the line, then proceed with SKY?

Sorry if i sound naive i have only been living alone for a while (im only 20years old..)...everyone needs to learn these things i guess.

aamuk

If you intend to keep the line rental with BT, then it is no problem. However, if you intend to have the line rental provided by Sky, as they may give you a special offer as a new customer, then you don't want BT to activate it as you have to have a minimum term.

If you intend to go with Sky, you may well be able to get them to connect you directly. This will put you straight on to Sky without having to go via the BT line rental route. Even if your line needs to be connected, Sky should be able to arrange this and even may cover any Openreach costs - remember to haggle as you are a new customer and see what you can get.

ollyhtafc

Oh i see. I thought that SKY incurred a BT line rental cost...but they have their own hidden little line rental cost. Makes more sense i guess.
Thank you very much, you've been very helpful.

b3nton

Bt charged about £11 per month for line rental.

If you're getting other services, look into buying a package of broadband, line, TV etc. You can make quite a saving.

aamuk

ollyhtafc wrote: »

Oh i see. I thought that SKY incurred a BT line rental cost...but they have their own hidden little line rental cost. Makes more sense i guess.
Thank you very much, you've been very helpful.

Your line rental could be with either BT or Sky. With Sky you can either have your call via them and your line rental with BT, or you can have both your calls and line rental billed through Sky.

It's mainly new BT customers, on a minimum contract, or those on a rolling contract that can have a problem. The BT terms and conditions may state that you must make your calls via them or that you have to make a minimum number of calls via them per month. If your calls go via Sky this can be a problem as 1280 no longer works from Sky lines to route calls via BT.

ollyhtafc

I appear to be pretty snookered now

Property has no phone line installed so thats £122 installation or free, but that requires an 18month contract to be signed, its a rented property and i only have a 12 month tennancy. So that's not viable.

Virgin media will give me Internet, about 40 channels and free weekend calls for £25 p/m.

But now that seems like a bad deal after looking at sky's offer of £27 p/m for free evening and weekend calls, broadband, and 200 channels, plus free sky+ !

macman

You could go fo the 18m contract, that way you get the line install free and only have to pay an additional £66 approx early termination fee at the end of your tenancy. Cheaper than paying £122 upfront.

aamuk

It's probably worth asking Sky if they will install a line for you. Call them and say how you would like to get their package (TV, phone and broadband) but there is no telephone line and see if you can get them to install a new one for free. Sky's minimum contracts are generally 12 months so this may be an ideal option. Various people have said that they have managed to get Sky to install a line for free.

ollyhtafc

To be honest SKY were very pushy when i rang them and tried the hardsell...which did nothing to endear me to them.

I got a deal with virgin instead. £25 p/m for 10mb unlimited internet, phone with free weekend calls, and tv package with 60 channels. Plus free installation and £30 discount.

Thanks for all your help