BT Connection Charges (merged threads)

gema21

Hi Calvin I'm currently doing my training to work for BT, and this is the subject I've been doing for the past week!

By the sound of it it's either
a) The person doesn't have a clue what they are talking about and there is no connection charge as the line is installed and just needs switching on
or...
b) The line itself needs checking to make sure there is nothing wrong with it (which is highly unlikely) which means the service needs to be reprovisioned.

I'd definietely try calling them up again, from what you have said you shouldn't be charged unless there is no line at all or a completely new build. Or if you live somewhere that is remote and need the cables fitting

Heinz

calvinholbrook wrote: »

Thanks! Yes, I explained that there was a dial tone but it made no difference. I even quoted back what was on their website and they still said I had to pay. What I am actually paying £125 for if the line is already there?

No, you'd be paying for whatever engineering work is necessary at the exchange to convert the dial tone to an outgoing calls capable dial tone.

Unfortunately, Ofcom insisted that BT 'manufactured' a company (Openreach) to undertake - and charge for - all such work on behalf of all the companies now in the line rental business. BT has to pay but most of the other companies still refuse to take on anything except a working BT line - thus avoiding paying.

That's why, in nearly all cases, BT now charges £124.99 even if, to the layman, the amount of work involved cannot possibly justify that amount. In fact, BT has to pay Openreach at least £103.40 even if just flicking a switch at the exchange is all that's necessary.

calvinholbrook

Thanks Gema! Sounds interesting. Heinz - what do you think of Gema's comment?

gema21

Heinz wrote: »

That's why, in nearly all cases, BT now charges £124.99 even if, to the layman, the amount of work involved cannot possibly justify that amount. In fact, BT has to pay Openreach at least £103.40 even if just flicking a switch at the exchange is all that's necessary.

Heinz I don't think that is necessarily correct. To place a start order, whereby there has been previous service within the household and to just 'flick a switch' is free of charge. As much as I think BT rip people off, that I can't agree with.

Petethevet

Can someone in the know tell me - do all the different landline providers use Openreach to supply their landlines? Do they all go through the same exchange in the same area? Just out of curiosity. It sounds like Openreach have a monopoly on the provision and price.

My tenants had their phone connected for £125 last week (I knocked it off their rent) through BT. An engineer came to visit and checked the line, and it was back on shortly afterwards. All the cabling, box etc were present and in working order (and had been connected in the past). I guess if they have to send someone out then maybe £125 is a reasonable-ish charge.

I just wish I could charge a similar amount when I visit someone ;-) !!

Heinz

gema21 wrote: »

Heinz I don't think that is necessarily correct. To place a start order, whereby there has been previous service within the household and to just 'flick a switch' is free of charge. As much as I think BT rip people off, that I can't agree with.

I hope I'm wrong but the many and various posts on the subject I've read suggest the £124.99 charge is now applied in the vast majority of cases. I wish that was not the case but Ofcom's action in requiring BT to set up Openreach appears to have had that effect.

Petethevet wrote: »

Can someone in the know tell me - do all the different landline providers use Openreach to supply their landlines?

With the exception of cable (where Virgin media now has the monopoly), yes.

Ofcom required BT to set up Openreach as a separate company to run what was the BT network and all 'providers' have to use (and pay) them.

Drunkstar

For those who are interested teh cost to BT/Talk Talk/whoever else wants to set up a line through Openreach is around the £210 mark I was yesterday informed.

dc

Drunkstar wrote: »

For those who are interested teh cost to BT/Talk Talk/whoever else wants to set up a line through Openreach is around the £210 mark I was yesterday informed.

Another case of a "new" mangement, that has decided to prove it is profitable to HM gov, by its ingrained BT monopoly mentality. They need to be made to explain themselves.

If only Ofcom wasn't made up of ex BT employees with the same mentality.
I think the 0870/0871 scandal and continual UK numbering fiascos proves my point.

LondonStudent_2

Hi
I am about to move into a new flat next week. I am told that the phone line needs reconnecting. I do not know whether it was previously with BT or not but will I be charged anything? I rang the people at BT but they had the IQ of a dead rat and couldn't tell me.
Thanks for any help in advance

PaulK_3

Do you know what the telephone number on the line used to be? Without that information BT cannot tell you anything about the line as they cannot bring up any account information linked to it.