BT Connection Charges (merged threads)

ianianian_2

Can someone please explain to me how this 'new line' fitting works?

We've moved into a rented place, the owner says that the last people definitely had phone/internet and there are about 3 bt phone sockets dotted around the place (the lines are dead when we insert a phone).
When we've rang BT we get are told we're not connected and need to pay out for a new line. Unless BT came out and physically removed the line (which I’m pretty sure they did not), i cannot see why we would need a new one as opposed to BT just turning us back on?
Everyone we have spoken to at BT has been in another country with limited English and a script to read from and they have therefore been unable to answer my simple question of..... ‘why do we need a new line connecting when there's clearly one here?’.
If we have to pay out the £125, then I suppose we will have to, but I just want to understand the whole process before departing with money we cant afford to waste.

Thanks

Browntoa

all thats exisiting is the wiring to the pole probably, then rest between the exchange and your house is in use by another line now , hence the £125 to provide a "new" line (jumpering in the exchange and several points on the way)

BritBrat

If it has no dial tone it cost £125 plain and simple.

Unless you can get the BT Retail - new line installation offer: £29.99

Sorry but that is it.

juliusceasor

Recently moved again due to renting and yet another new contract to sign with BT. Notice that some posters say if you can afford to move you can afford the charges .. not so. Some of us have no choice but to move.

Previously we were with Talk Talk had broadband and free international calling we had hoped to stay with them through the move. Unfortunately despite having a bt line and dial tone and the previous occupants had BT broadband Talk Talk cannot connect us. We have to get BT to reactivate the line Hopefully this will be free (as we have a dial tone) but there may yet be problems.
The main problem is only BT can reactivate the line for which we have to sign up to 12 month contract for line provision. To avail us of the Talk Talk deal we would have to cease the line and transfer to Talk Talk incurring a £70 fee. and then pay line rental to Talk Talk. Ultimately because my G/F is polish this is cheaper as the calls are free.
My question is: If we reactivat with BT and imediately this is done cease and move it to Talk Talk can we avoid the fee if BT is using a credit agreement or the distance selling which would give us 14 -28? days to cancel a credit agreement? If we could do that what could we be charged by BT for canceling the credit agreement? And would Talk Talk have time to take over the line that is activated before can celling.

Sorry but I don't mind paying a fee but I object to having to pay a fee to a company I don't want to connect to rather than one I do want to use and being held to a min 12month contract. Each and every time I move home. Especially as rental contracts are 6 months after which we can be asked to leave and phone contracts are 12months which potentially leaves us liable for breaking contracts and the fee for doing so plus a reconnect fee every time we move through no fault of our own!

espresso

juliusceasor wrote: »

Sorry but I don't mind paying a fee but I object to having to pay a fee to a company I don't want to connect to rather than one I do want to use and being held to a min 12month contract. Each and every time I move home. Especially as rental contracts are 6 months after which we can be asked to leave and phone contracts are 12months which potentially leaves us liable for breaking contracts and the fee for doing so plus a reconnect fee every time we move through no fault of our own!

Your beef is with TalkTalk then, as they could instruct BT Openworld to do the work just like BT retail do, however TalkTalk choose to make you their customer pay. Have a moan at TalkTalk and see where it gets you!

:rolleyes:

deklan99

"The main problem is only BT can reactivate the line ........" is incorrect. Only BT "Openreach" can activate the line but any Telco can approach them on your behalf. Some that will include Phone Co-op, Post Office, Plusnet, Madasafish, BT.

"Sorry but I don't mind paying a fee but I object to having to pay a fee to a company I don't want to connect to rather than one I do want to use and being held to a min 12month contract." begs the question if Talktalk are so keen to get your custom why won't they connect you and why are you so keen on joining a company that won't provide the line for which they are happy to take rental for and which is a requirement for their own product?

Depending on the status of the line you take over when you move Phone Co-op can restart and provide 3 month contracts but still 12 months for (re-)connection.
AFAIK Talktalk also have a home moving service now allowing you to theoretically take their service with you.

"My question is: If we reactivat with BT and imediately this is done cease and move it to Talk Talk can we avoid the fee if BT is using a credit agreement or the distance selling which would give us 14 -28?"

No

£70 for moving line rental from BT within 12 months.

juliusceasor

deklan99 wrote: »

begs the question if Talktalk are so keen to get your custom why won't they connect you and why are you so keen on joining a company that won't provide the line for which they are happy to take rental for and which is a requirement for their own product?

apparently because despite BT being able to find it Talk Talk couldn't find the property on the Open Reach system. Eventually they did find it but for some other reason they can't activate the Line.
I understand now that Open Reach can re-activate it and have had a look at Phone Co-op. I can live with a 12 month min contract as hopefully this current property will be a long term rental.

deklan99 wrote: »

Depending on the status of the line you take over when you move Phone Co-op can restart and provide 3 month contracts but still 12 months for (re-)connection.

- From what I can tell we have dial tone and can ring 17070 but there is no current number on the line. The line had a number less than 12 days ago which should mean we just need reactivation and a 3 month deal with Phone Co-op looks favourite unless on Monday I can further persuade Talk Talk to reconnect although the last conversation they insisted BT had to do this.

deklan99 wrote: »

AFAIK Talktalk also have a home moving service now allowing you to theoretically take their service with you.

This is the service we were using when it all when pete tong for some reason as yet not fully explained or understood by yours truly!

deklan99 wrote: »

No

£70 for moving line rental from BT within 12 months.

- thanks

deklan99

Could be that it's a busy exchange and the number has already been reallocated or it was already a non-BT number.
Their insistance that only BT can install/reactivate the line is a bit mischievous to say the least.
Anyhow good luck with your efforts.

juliusceasor

Apparently because the number has been taken off the line we have to pay a new line fee to get a number which is £100+ and the £70 to disconnect.

I think I'll look at the mobile option.

juliusceasor

Fortunately despite our village location we have turbo 3g available from 3 which will give us 2.8 - 3 Mb/s which is about or better what we would get with a land based system hereabouts.

So for either a 12month connection or purchase of modem £49 + for either option a £10, £15 or £25 a month for up to 7Gb download I think if you can get the mobile broadband forget having a land line and save £129

Thanks for the feedback earlier.