Will we have a phone number? (Weird Queston!)

mattcafc

Moving into a new build property this month and wanted to sign up to Sky before we do so they can install asap, however they need our landline number to arrange it all

The property is a new build with a phone line going to the building. How would we find out or number though? We havent signed up for line rental yet so I image we wouldnt be able to dial out to find the number.

Stupid question, just cant think outside the box here, any help ?

debtfreein4years

i think you need to call one of the landline providers to set up your phone line. sky do this and it is cheaper than bt for line rental.

g

BitterAndTwisted

Just because there appears to be a phone line, doesn't mean that it is or will be connected to the exchange. I know this from experience: I moved into a new-build on a huge estate and when I contacted BT to get the phone connected they laughed at me. They were in the midst of building a new exchange as they weren't prepared for the demand and we waited for six months, but this was back in the day before mobiles were commonly available.

1echidna

Thank god the days of BT monopoly are over, at least where we live there is the option of cable. I can remember always having to wait at least several days for BT to deal with any fault.

sooz

If there is actually a phone socket in the property, can view the property again, take a phone (landline not mobile) with you? Plug it into the bt socket, & dial 17070. It will test the line, & tell you the number if there is one.

If there is no socket you need to decide which provider to go with, & call to arrange an installation.

If you are moving into a flat, have you checked if you are allowed to install a satellite dish?

GrammarGirl

Ring BT, give them the postcode and they can tell you if the line is connected. If it isn't, you'll have to pay £122 to get it connected, however there's an offer on at the mo - free connection if you sign up to their line rental and call package for 18 months. Have a look at the home phones board, it's very helpful!

As you may be able to tell, we've just had the same issue! We're moving into a flat in a week and need to get connected to BT. Was all ready to go for the free connection offer until I worked out the price over 18 months compared to Sky's price with their minimum 12 month contract and the extra costs almost cancelled out the £122 connection fee. I contacted my LA and asked if the landlord would be willing to contribute to the fee so we could just get connected and go to Sky for the line rental (no use for a call package, only use the mobiles!) and he's agreed to pay the full whack!

So, if you're renting ask the LL if they mind paying. Also, if you just want Sky TV you don't actually need a phone number, ring up and they'll sort it for you. If you're not bothered about a landline and don't mind moderate internet speeds, go for a mobile broadband dongle.

kunekune

We went for mobile only when we moved into a rental newbuild. The 18 month contract plus the connection fee made a landline uneconomic. I use mobile internet - it's not perfect, but we manage. I'm looking forward to having a landline when we move in a couple of weeks though because making longer calls on a mobile isn't very comfortable and we don't really like the children using it. It did work out cheaper over a 20 month period though.

olly300

GrammarGirl wrote: »

Ring BT, give them the postcode and they can tell you if the line is connected.

No they bloody won't.

GrammarGirl wrote: »

If it isn't, you'll have to pay £122 to get it connected, however there's an offer on at the mo - free connection if you sign up to their line rental and call package for 18 months. Have a look at the home phones board, it's very helpful!

Their aim seems to be to get the connection fee out of you or put you on an 18 month contract.

Luckily for me I had a helpful engineer whose staff number I took down.

I do agree the home phones board is very helpful though.

silvercar

If you want to sign upto Sky, you have to commit to keeping a phone line plugged into the sky box for the first year, or pay a charge (about £60-80) not do so.

If you want Sky multi-room (ie more than one sky box) you have to have all boxes plugged into phone lines. This is to prevent you and your neighbour signing up to Sky as one customer. Sky do check regularly that multi-room customers have all their boxes connected to phone lines and do bill people a second subscription if they find you persistently don't keep boxes connected.