BT Connection Charges (merged threads)

Amiolia

I called BT today to find out about my phoneline. Firstly I was not impressed when I had to speak to the sales department because I did not have a telephone number to type into the electric system. Who on earth knows the phone number for a property they've just moved into?!
Secondly the sales rep told me that there is a connected line in my property but it's with 'another company'. They wouldn't tell me which company, so I could go to them for connection-fee-free broadband; only that it would cost £122.50 to bring the line back to BT.
I am not a wealthy person who has bought a flat; I am a tenant who is renting out a new property. I only want to use the internet in my flat, and I am faced with a debilitating cost in order to do this. There must be another way?!
I also discovered that even if I do make this payment to connect my phone line I have to sign a 12 or 18 month contract. This is also ridiculous. I haven't lived somewhere for longer than 10 months in years, it just doesn't work like that for tenants these days.
Does anyone have any ideas how I can get broadband without paying a ridiculous connection fee?

WhoKilledBambi?

BT retail do not have any more details regarding a phone line than any other voice provider and data protection laws prohibit them from disclosing any info anyway.
Try dialling 17070 if the line has a dial tone, it should give info.
If there's no tone then a new line activation would probably be required and another number may be recycled. Any provider could activate a new line, not just BT retail.

syko29793

itsme1 wrote: »

Hi, I already have a telephone line that is now with sky, it used to be with bt, but I want a 2nd phoneline, can BT do this for me under the free instal offer? and can I still keep my 1st phoneline with sky?
thanks for your help.

yes you can have the offer but remember it comes with certain conditions so as a second line can you meet them? so many calls a month need to be made etc. 18 month contact

starblood

Amiolia wrote: »

I called BT today to find out about my phoneline. Firstly I was not impressed when I had to speak to the sales department because I did not have a telephone number to type into the electric system. Who on earth knows the phone number for a property they've just moved into?!
Secondly the sales rep told me that there is a connected line in my property but it's with 'another company'. They wouldn't tell me which company, so I could go to them for connection-fee-free broadband; only that it would cost £122.50 to bring the line back to BT.
I am not a wealthy person who has bought a flat; I am a tenant who is renting out a new property. I only want to use the internet in my flat, and I am faced with a debilitating cost in order to do this. There must be another way?!
I also discovered that even if I do make this payment to connect my phone line I have to sign a 12 or 18 month contract. This is also ridiculous. I haven't lived somewhere for longer than 10 months in years, it just doesn't work like that for tenants these days.
Does anyone have any ideas how I can get broadband without paying a ridiculous connection fee?

If you're not too bothered about getting a phoneline, then you could opt for mobile broadband. However be warned, that the quality of service is very much dictated by the reception you receive. I have a 3 network dongle, and depending on where it is situated in the house can get a top speed of around 1.4mbps - not blistering, but enough to get by. You'd also have the added advantage that you just take it with you whenever you move home and it keeps working, so there is no need to keep arranging new broadband provision.

Other providers (O2, Vodaphone) also do mobile broadband, so investigate and find one that does the best reception and coverage for your area. And before you do sign up, remember Quidco, Rpoints and other cashback sites do very generous rewards if you purchase by going through them.

fergyuk

I just reconnected my mother, BT wanted to charge the 122.50 but the moment i mentioned the post office and free connection they dropped the charge

I asked why this is a they say it's only offered if you mention other companies or their own free connection offer

Fergy

FannyHill

Never knew the PO connected you for nothing. :beer:


Does the PO have a minimum rental ?


I think they give you free weekend calls to mobiles.

Ypaymore

FannyHill wrote: »

Never knew the PO connected you for nothing. :beer:



Does the PO have a minimum rental ?


I think they give you free weekend calls to mobiles.

Just like BT,s (12 month contract) they have always connected you foc if you still you have a working line between the exchange and your abode.

Their line rental (No minimum term) is £11.75 a month with lots of inclusive calls.

JulieWa

I am also a tennant who dislikes long contracts and I have been using O2's pay-as-you-go mobile broadband but it hasn't lasted long due to the 2gb limit.

I'm now reluctantly accepting that I may have to be shackled to a BT landline, even though I have no use for a phone at all.

I'd like clarification what the difference is between the first and second options here:
[on BT's "New Phone Line" page on their website, which I'm not allowed to link to]

The second says '12 month renewable contract' - does that mean the first DOESN'T have a minimum contract length now?

Can anyone confirm if the Post Office deal is any good? I literally just want the phone line so I can go and get my internet from O2.

BT_company_representative

Hey JulieWa,

Ok first off when you take out a BT line it always has a minimum contract term of 12 months. This term is specific for the physical line, not the calling plan you decide to go for.

The big difference between the two deals described on our site is the special offer.

The first talks of what I have just described, a line with a calling plan. So the line itself has a contract, the calling plan does not.

The second refers to a special offer we run.

So we are offering free Unlimited Evening and Weekend calls at no extra charge but to get this you need to take a renewable 12 month contract on the calling plan.

I hope this clears things up. If you have any other questions just drop me a reply and I will be happy to elaborate

Cheers

Craig
BT Support

joel10873

Hi all, iam moving into a new build property which i am renting and currently does not have a line connected.

As everyone knows bt charge £122 to connect

The post office for the same service have just quoted me £107 they only connect you free if there is already a line in place even if its not connected (or so is my understanding)

I think we are all going to have to accept new house new line got to pay!!!!