BT Connection Charges (merged threads)

Heinz

insomniac wrote:

Sorry to dig up an old thread.. but just thought I'd add that the charge is now £124.99! Thats a £50 pound increase in a year or so.

I've just rented a flat which happens to be in a new building, BT want the 125 to move my account to the new flat and it seems there is a 9 month contract as well. It puts me in a position because I'm probably only going to be there 6 months. Like others I don't want a landline but need broadband. BT have quite a good scam going here.

Why not ask NTL/Telewest to install a line then?

If the answer is, "The area isn't cabled, that's why I have to go to BT", you're beginning to understand why £124.99 is not excessive.

Cabled areas are those which cable companies considered would make them a profit on their infrastructure investment. BT don't have that freedom - they are obliged to provide a service.

SAP_Saver

I think that £125 is fair for a new connection. I would expect to get a free reconnection when moving into a house that was previously occupied. And tips on how to get this for free would be of more use than all of the petty arguments between BT pro and against people here!

harriso

I have just moved into my first house and want my phone line connecting.

Do I have to use BT or is there some one else who is more “competitive” in their pricing?

Thanks

jhp

harriso wrote:

I have just moved into my first house and want my phone line connecting.

Do I have to use BT or is there some one else who is more “competitive” in their pricing?

Thanks

BT are competitive in their pricing.

You have two choices BT or if your in a cable area a cable company.

Is your house a new build,or does BT socket & wiring exist from previous occupier.If the latter the costs should be lower.

Heinz

harriso wrote:

I have just moved into my first house and want my phone line connecting.

Do I have to use BT or is there some one else who is more “competitive” in their pricing?

Thanks

Welcome to the MSE forums harriso.

That's an interesting choice of phrase you've used there. 'Competetive' implies there is competition. Unfortunately, unless you're in a cabled area, there is none (for the instalaltion anyway).

You don't say whether the house is 'new build' or not. If it is, BT will install a line for £124.99 and the simplistic view of that is that it doesn't take more than an hour or so to install a line so why so expensive? That, of course, doesn't take into account network or exchange issues. Equally, my garage charges £65 per hour labour now and we all know the fitters there don't get paid anything like that - the charge covers the garage's overheads and profit. The same must apply to BT so £124.99 is probably quite a good price.

OTOH, if it's not 'new build' and any previous occupant had a BT line, it's likely BT will reconnect free of charge.

chickenfriednice

I understand everyones point about the charge, but I'm about to move into a rented property that is brand new and therefore face the connection charge. Now I might only be living there for 6-12 months so I have to forkout the 125 for every tennant after me to benefit from!! And of course tippical landlords response is that it is not there responsibility!! (the owners of the property are a company so I can only speak to the agent who repesents them!!) GREAT!

Any advice please??

ahrimaniac

Nope, not really - it's really luck of the draw. If you want that line, you'll have to pay the connection fee. I know it's not good news, tho.

ahrimaniac

You could maybe try badgering the landlord a bit, but then, it's not his/her phone line, it'll be yours.

hammy_the_hammer

chickenfriednice wrote:

I understand everyones point about the charge, but I'm about to move into a rented property that is brand new and therefore face the connection charge. Now I might only be living there for 6-12 months so I have to forkout the 125 for every tennant after me to benefit from!! And of course tippical landlords response is that it is not there responsibility!! (the owners of the property are a company so I can only speak to the agent who repesents them!!) GREAT!

Any advice please??

don't clean the house , do any minor repairs , improve the garden, decorate, have new tv aerial / sky fitted, have extra keys cut etc etc

chickenfriednice

I would not have a problem with the cost if it were my own home but to know that I will only benefit from it for 12 months or so makes it rather hard to bear, and makes the cost of a broadband/phone package that much higher! And seeing as Talk Talk have about a 3 month wait for there service I need to find as cheap a deal as possible!

:mad: