Catch-22 with broadband at new home

evilcartman

I hope someone can help me with a really frustrating Catch-22 situation with getting broadband at my new home.

Well, actually it's not a 'new' home as such. It's a house that I had owned for several years, which I then rented out for a while as I was working at the other end of the country and now I'm coming back.

There is a BT master socket there and BT say they will will reconnect the line for free. But I won't know the new number until they connect it at the exchange - and by then I will be tied to a 12-month contract with them. I don't want BT Broadband as their prices are rubbish (especially for an absurdly low 10GB a month limit).

I contacted Talk Talk, they wanted to know the landline number and when I explained to them that I don't know the number as yet - and that when I do, I would be tied to BT for 12 months - the salesman offered to have the line installed by them, but for a near £70 fee and a two-year tie-in.

There have to be better deals around than this. It's not a cable area, so that's not an option.

Prior to me moving out of the house, I was using Nildram for my broadband and retained BT for the landline. Aren't there any ISPs left that will provide broadband only and let you keep your BT line? All the ones I've tried so far only seem to be interested in signing you up to a combined landline and broadband package, which I don't want unless the connection fee is reasonable and the minimum contract is no more than 12 months.

System

Just because the line is with BT does not mean that you have to take their BT Broadband. Any ISP who provides ADSL over a standard BT line can supply your broadband.

They are probably only pushing the line deal because the salesman gets more commission.

evilcartman

!!!!!! wrote: »

Just because the line is with BT does not mean that you have to take their BT Broadband. Any ISP who provides ADSL over a standard BT line can supply your broadband.

They are probably only pushing the line deal because the salesman gets more commission.

That's what I would have thought but when I've tried asking firms such as TalkTalk if I can just have a broadband only service with them, while retaining my BT line, they insist they don't offer that service.

I'm now checking Plusnet, who do appear to offer a traditional broadband only service without requiring me moving my line over to them.

Donnie

Use (Click on Sam Knows)Sam Knows. If O2 / Be LLU shows as available, go for them via Quidco.

Either way, you can let us know what is reported.

evilcartman

Donnie wrote: »

Use (Click on Sam Knows)Sam Knows. If O2 / Be LLU shows as available, go for them via Quidco.

Either way, you can let us know what is reported.

Yep, O2/Be LLU is available. I've now ordered an O2 PAYG sim to take advantage of the £5 a month discount.

Rufus_348

If you're in a market 3 exchange then Plusnet could also be a good option - they're owned by BT so they'd probably give you the same deal on line installation but they're much cheaper and have better customer services.

evilcartman

Rufus_348 wrote: »

If you're in a market 3 exchange then Plusnet could also be a good option - they're owned by BT so they'd probably give you the same deal on line installation but they're much cheaper and have better customer services.

What's a market 3 exchange? The speeds aren't brilliant where I'm going - it was generally 3-4 MB max due to distance from the exchange.

I've been considering Plusnet but they seem to get some very mixed reviews. O2's broadband service seems to be more highly thought of by its customers.

Donnie

02 LLU is good. But Cashback has been withdrawn for the moment.

penrhyn

I have Sky LLU broadband and a BT contract for voice calls.
Any ISP will take you on for broadband only with a BT line, and then try and persuade you to move your telephony to them.
Its a ploy to lock you in as when you have both from a single supplier moving is difficult.