Can I get broadband from someone else while I still owe money to BT?

missbunbury

I've had an ongoing dispute with BT over billing which has resulted in me oweing them £350. I am trying to dispute this figure, but in the meantime have agreed to pay it off at a low rate (£20 a month). The dispute arose when BT stopped all my internet and TV services when I missed a payment, but then continued to charge me for these services even though they were no longer being provided. I've paid off the original bill (which I did owe and had no problem with) so it's just the months and months of no service I am disputing having to pay for.

Anyway, my question is, since I have no landline currently, is it possible for me to get broadband from a different provider? Someone told me Sky can arrange a landline as well as broadband, and that my ongoing issues with BT shouldn't affect this, but surely Sky only re-sell BT landlines? I'm using my mobile phone as a modem currently, which is not brilliant, so I would love to get home internet sorted, but to be honest I am really reluctant to just pay a massive lump sum to BT which I would then have to try to get back off them. Any advice anyone?

macman

You can get a new landline installed by one of the ISP's that provide this service, but you'll have to pay for it, rather than use the current free BT connection offer.