Can someone help me find BTs terms and conditions?

gemstars

I've asked BT to reactivate a phoneline to my home. The sales guy did confuse me a bit and said it looked like my broadband would be slow once the line is set up (he said this after I said I'd be going with o2 as my ISP). He also said there was no cooling off period once the line goes active on 2nd Feb.

I do know I'm near the exchange and o2 (who I plan to go with) have their equipment in the exchange so in theory it should be a decent speed.

I've spoken to O2 and there's not really anything they can check until the phoneline is set up. She advised I check with BT 1) what speeds I can expect and 2) what the cooling off period is after the phoneline has been activated as she thinks I may have been misinformed.

I have been on hold with BT for the last 35 minutes and have set to speak with someone. I don't want to be stuck in an 18 month contract with BT for a phoneline if the broadband speed is going to be no good. Can someone help me find BTs phoneline terms and conditions -I'm having no luck searching on their website and now I'm worried!

Scho

Try here;
http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/dynamicmodules/pagecontentfooter/pageContentFooterPopup.jsp?pagecontentfooter_popupid=13408

macman

If you want broadband then you need to use a BT phone line to get it, cancelling your reconnection with BT will not offer you any other solution (unless you are in a cable area and go to VM).
If your neighbours can get a reasonable speed then there is every chance that you can to. What makes you think you can't get a reasonable service if you are near the exchange?

gemstars

Thanks macman - the only think making me think I won't get a decent speed is that the BT guy said I won't, I don't know enough about this to understand why and I have no idea what my neighbours get as I don't know any of them.

VM is an option for me which is why I'm trying to figure out what the best thing to do is before I'm locked into a contract with BT.

I'll have to keep trying to get through to BT I think.

macman

It would be interesting to know on what basis he said that.
What do the postcode checkers say?

gemstars

Thanks for replying macman.

Everything seems fine from hunting around based on postcodes and local searches etc.

I have another thread here which goes into more detail about the searches I've had help with http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2212769

Basically I live in a built up residential area so almost everything is available, most ISPs have their gear in my exchange and I'm only about 300 metres from its so in theory I shouldn't have a problem.

To be honest I thought I finally had it all sorted I'm all for saving money but even I am amazed by how drawn out this process is turning out to be! :eek:

macman

At 300m from the exchange you really shouldn't be having a problem, I would trust your own research rather than take the word of someone from BT.
All depends how fast a service you need, but at that range you should be looking at maybe 6Mbps+ on 02, and faster if you opt for the Premium service (remember that the Standard O2 service is capped to 8Mbps even if your line will support a higher speed)?
Virgin vs 02? No contest.

gemstars

Thanks again macman.

The only thing I can think of is serious wiring problems from my home to the exchange. If this is the case then this is why I am considering VM as an alternative.

I was planning on going with o2's 20mbps service, but obviously if this can't be supported I can't have it. 8mbps would be fine but I wouldn't like to be paying for it if I'm getting no where near it.

I've been trying to get through to BT all day to find out more but I've had no luck yet. I'll report back once I have more info.

Scho

Don't forget to use the cashback deals on O2 if you choose them.
It makes their top package £50 for the year (less than £5 a month) and their others free. But only if you're an O2 mobile customer.

Edit: Anyone can get cashback sorry but they discount the BB prices for current O2 customer.

macman

gemstars wrote: »

Thanks again macman.

The only thing I can think of is serious wiring problems from my home to the exchange. If this is the case then this is why I am considering VM as an alternative.

I was planning on going with o2's 20mbps service, but obviously if this can't be supported I can't have it. 8mbps would be fine but I wouldn't like to be paying for it if I'm getting no where near it.

I've been trying to get through to BT all day to find out more but I've had no luck yet. I'll report back once I have more info.

IF BT can offer you a working voice service at that range, then there's no reason why broadband shouldn't work too. Start with the 8Mbps, you can always upgrade at any time. If you use Quidco and the O2 mobile discount, then with the first 2 months free, your first year cost is ... zero.

DUTR

macman wrote: »

At 300m from the exchange you really shouldn't be having a problem, I would trust your own research rather than take the word of someone from BT.
All depends how fast a service you need, but at that range you should be looking at maybe 6Mbps+ on 02, and faster if you opt for the Premium service (remember that the Standard O2 service is capped to 8Mbps even if your line will support a higher speed)?
Virgin vs 02? No contest.

I couldn't see why the BT person would downplay a service, indeed the OP may not be far from the exchange , but what the postcode checker wont reveal is if the premise is served with copper or aluminium cable which will have an impact on the final speed, also depends what equipment is at the exchange that will serve the OP's premise.