BT Connection Charges (merged threads)

Heinz

wxmlad wrote:

its only a one off charge so its not to bad, tbh if it wasnt for the internet i wouldnt have a landline as i never use it for calls - loads of free mins with O2

I asked in the shop why don't I get any of these 'free' minutes with my PAYG mobile? I was told you have to pay a monthly charge to get 'free' minutes.

Doesn't that mean they're not free at all - just that I'd have to pay in advance for them?.

That makes it rather like PAYG really.

Stamper_2

My flatmate has an existing BT line in the property. I would like to get an additional line but have my own bill. Will BT charge £125 for this as well?

espresso

Stamper wrote:

My flatmate has an existing BT line in the property. I would like to get an additional line but have my own bill. Will BT charge £125 for this as well?

Do you really need a second line? If you share the flat, why not the phone?

:rolleyes:

gazza007

I am completing on my new home today. I am between moves so not had personal landline for a while, last time I had BT was 1993 went to Nynex when we were cabled up....
Anyway wanted BT basic option 1 to keep my options open as I fancy getting basic Sky TV package with BB & talk £15 month hopefully with Sky+ if they abolish £10 a month.
My Vendors taking their BT number with them, quick call to BT yesterday afternoon, quick credit check, got account, phone number of my choice & connection tommorrow with no charge.
After recent dealings with the likes of TT, I can only praise them.

Heinz

gazza007 wrote:

I am completing on my new home today. I am between moves so not had personal landline for a while, last time I had BT was 1993 went to Nynex when we were cabled up....
Anyway wanted BT basic option 1 to keep my options open as I fancy getting basic Sky TV package with BB & talk £15 month hopefully with Sky+ if they abolish £10 a month.
My Vendors taking their BT number with them, quick call to BT yesterday afternoon, quick credit check, got account, phone number of my choice & connection tommorrow with no charge.
After recent dealings with the likes of TT, I can only praise them.

Great news - I know from bitter experience how costly moving is!

When you've unpacked that last cardboard box (or before the actual move if you get time), can I suggest a read of Martin's article on telephony money-saving and my own personal set of suggestions. They'll help you minimise call costs.

NeilW

Interesting thread. Lots of heat and little light.

It seems to me that what we need is something that co-ordinates line activation/installation into a state where TalkTalk, et al can take them over.

And if that doesn't exist, why don't we build it?

It seems simple enough to me. The line installation and activation service is provided by BT wholesale. We need a setup with a contract with BT wholesale and a method of co-ordinating the operation.

And some way of navigating the maze of regulations laid down by OFCOM. Should it be that the regulations don't permit such a service, then we need to get the regulations changed. And I'm sure Martin can help there.

Well, what do people think?

NeilW

Heinz

NeilW wrote:

It seems to me that what we need is something that co-ordinates line activation/installation into a state where TalkTalk, et al can take them over.

It's called Openreach.

gt94sss2

NeilW wrote:

It seems to me that what we need is something that co-ordinates line activation/installation into a state where TalkTalk, et al can take them over.

And if that doesn't exist, why don't we build it?

It seems simple enough to me. The line installation and activation service is provided by BT wholesale.

The problem for people wishing to join TalkTalk etc isn't BT but TalkTalk itself.

BT Wholesale/Openreach would accept orders from TalkTalk to install and activate lines etc - just like they do from BT Retail and from some other companies - but its that TalkTalk refuse to offer that option to its (potential) customers forcing them to enter into a BT Retail contract first and then break it. (though this is not always a bad thing as it can lead people to realise just how bad TalkTalk can be...)

Regards
Sunil

Heinz

gt94sss2 wrote:

BT Wholesale/Openreach would accept orders from TalkTalk to install and activate lines etc - just like they do from BT Retail and from some other companies - but its that TalkTalk refuse to offer that option to its (potential) customers forcing them to enter into a BT Retail contract first and then break it.

Presumably, that's simply because it means TT don't have to pay Openreach for the service and can then just take over the line at no or minimal cost.

IMHO, a neat, if unethical, business practice.

gt94sss2

Heinz wrote:

Presumably, that's simply because it means TT don't have to pay Openreach for the service and can then just take over the line at no or minimal cost.

IMHO, a neat, if unethical, business practice.

Yes, its cheaper for a company to take over an existing/active line than install one or activate a dormant one.

Still, as I have posted before, BT have obviously noticed as from May they are scrapping their cancellation option which allows customers to break a telephone contract for a maximum fee of £18 but will instead charge line rental for the entire minimum term and add a £5 admin fee as well..

Regards
Sunil