How Do I Change Providers?

Mortgage_Slave

I am a bit confused by all this stuff (I am not the only one, I am sure - which is why the telecoms companies are able to keep us on unfavourable deals) and would be grateful if any of you could help me out.

When I moved to my house, it had a BT line to the local exchange. I then transferred the line rental, calls and broadband to another provider. I am pretty unhappy with them at the moment and am looking at changing.

My understanding is that if I wanted to change to another broadband provider, say Plusnet, and another landline provider, say Primus, I would first have to transfer my telephone line to BT. Is this right? Also, it appears that this would require signing up for a year's contract at very unfavourable rates. Again, I would be grateful if you could let me know if this is correct?

If I wanted to move from one "bundle" to another, say Virgin, O2 or Orange, is it possible to do this without, first, changing back to a BT line or would I have to have BT, together with a stand-alone broadband provider for a year before transferring?

I am not sure whether it is relevant but, according to "SamKnows" my local exchange has "Market 2" classification, has ADSL availability and LLU availability (although few LLU operators are present) but does not have SDSL availability.

Thanks in anticipation for any help you can give.

penrhyn

Paying line rental to another provider does not necessarily mean you don't have a BT line any more.
This is only the case if your provider has transferred you to their telephony as well as broadband.

Mortgage_Slave

Thanks for the suggestion, penrhyn. unfortunately, I believe that I am using my provider's telephony since they do have LLU equipment at my local exchange and I have tried putting my telephone number into a couple of internet service providers' sites and been told that my telephone line isn't suitable.

macman

Dial 17070 and you will get a message saying 'the number is defined as 01234567...'. If you then get a further series of options such as 'press 2 for Quiet Line test', then it is still a BT line and not LLU.
If it has been LLU'd, then you need to take your line rental back to BT on a 'return to donor' basis. This is free but requires you to take a year's line rental, which with BT includes the minimum call package. Once it is back with BT, then you can apply to Plusnet or your preferred ISP.
If O2 are LLU on your exchange then that is your best bet for broadband, with mobile discount and Quidco cashback available. You do not need an SDSL service for residential broadband.

Mortgage_Slave

Thanks, macman: it appears that I have been LLU'd. I shall look at BT and the various ISP options.