Moving house - do I want BT?

ceh209

Hi all,

I'm moving into a rented flat soon and I would like a landline (and broadband). There's no cable so Virgin's not an option. Also I'm perfectly happy with freeview tv.

I had a look on the BT website, put in my address and it says there's an inactive line in the property.

What do I need to do with regards to actually getting it all set up? Can i arrange everything before I move to be set up for the date I move?

Basically the simplest option seems like getting a BT landline and then broadband from someone else (maybe Orange? - I'm an orange customer. and O2 isn't available, I checked that as people seem to recommend it).
Will the broadband provider need the landline actually set up before I arrange anything to do with broadband?

Always had virgin before so any advice appreciated!

macman

Yes, you need an active BT line before you can get ADSL broadband.
Orange definitely not a good idea, what are your other LLU options?
https://www.samknows.com, then do exchange search.

ceh209

according to www. samknows .com:

The following services are available in your location:
BT Wholesale ADSL
BT Wholesale ADSL Max
BT Wholesale SDSL
Bulldog LLU
TalkTalk (CPW) LLU
Sky Broadband / Easynet LLU
Orange LLU (Formerly Wanadoo)

macman

Look at Sky if you already have Sky TV. Otherwise TT is cheapest, but not recommended for LLU.
Another non-LLU option is Plusnet.

MFWannabe

You will need landline before you can order broadband.
I would stick with Bt for landline then shop around for the best and most recommended broadband. I believe BT are still doing an offer of free connection for phone line; but i think someone on another thread said this ends on 16th Feb? Don't take BT's broadband though as it's awful

ceh209

thank for the advice guys...

I've just got off the phone with BT, set up the landline for the day we move. There was already a line in the property so no connection charge (didn't even have to mention their current offer). Only spent a total of 12 minutes on the phone (to someone in Ireland, not India) so it looks like I'm one of the lucky ones!

Only thing is they say they can't guarantee the phone number they've given me until it's actually activated, so I can't get broadband set up until then, but that's not the end of the world. Gives me more time to explore broadband options at least

supermonkey

Are you tied into a contract with BT now?

ceh209

yep 12 months on unlimited weekend calls at £11.54 a month, but that suits me fine. they didn't make any mention of the "10 chargeable calls a month" that have been mentioned on here, so i'll be studying the T's & C's for that one when i receive the information.

Heinz

There's no 'calls per month requirement' with the 12 month contract.

In fact, you can also opt for a CPS* calls provider and/or use the likes of 18185 immediately because that contract is only for the line rental.

However, if you don't make at least 2 calls per month on BT, you will be charged for Caller Display and/or basic 1571 if you have/use them. That's easily done though using the inclusive BT calls you have at the weekend.

* If you're considering a CPS* calls provider, make sure you choose one which does not use BT Wholesale's WCLI (that rules out - at least - Talk Talk. Sky Talk, AOL and Orange).