Do I have to have a BT landline?

KG

I am moving into a flat without any connected landline (there used to be a BT one but this was disconnected about 2 years ago). I want to get the best deal on phone and broadband (and TV if possible) but it looks like most of the bundles require you to have a connected phoneline in the first place, so I would have to pay the installation fee and have been told I woudl then have to stay with BT for at least 12 months (I don't know if this is true).

Or am I wrong? Is it possible to get a landline without paying the installation fee?

Thanks

KPG

Heinz

If you get BT to reconnect the line (it may be free of charge but, in view of the time since it was last active, that's unlikely - so prepare for £130 odd), you will, indeed, have to agree to a 12 month contract for line rental but, the upside is you will then be able to take your choice of any of the ADSL broadband providers and also of any CPS and/or indirect access providers for your calls.

However, as long as you're prepared to pay the penalty charges, you could get BT to do the reconnection and then move to another company.

If you get one of the other companies now in the market to do the reconnection (any of them can but, because it is cheaper for them to take over a working BT line, some will lie to you and say they cannot), the contract length will vary (Post office is only a month and their charge is £110) but you may not then be able to have your choice of broadband.

KG

Ok - can I check if I have got this right? Presuming I go with BT for the landline (I am checkin the PO out too - thanks for that suggestion) I will have to pay £9.49 for 12 months line rental.

Since I am already paying for line rental I should be comparing the prices on the 'cheap broadband' article (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-broadband) shouldn't I - rather than on the 'Line rental and broadband £15.50/month' article (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/home-phone-calls)?

Sorry - I know it's a really basic question, but if I am starting from the worng assumptions all my calculations will be out of whack...

Thanks for the help

KPG

Heinz

BT line rental is £11.54/month if you pay by direct debit and opt for paper-free billing.

Yes, there's no point in calculating what a bundle will cost if you're stuck with BT for the line. OTOH, that's only likely to be £2 or so per month more expensive than the cheapest of the others but does allow you to leave broadband and call provider options completely open.

Do your calculations on post-incentive costs not what you'd have to pay in the first 3 or 6 months.

syko29793

Heinz wrote: »

BT line rental is £11.54/month if you pay by direct debit and opt for paper-free billing.

BT are promoting an offer of paying line rental in advance for the whole year which is equal to £9.49 a month. I think thats where op got the price from.

http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=29984

Im not promoting the offer just offering advice.

kassi

When I moved into my brand new house, I got sky to install and connect the phone line, it was alot cheaper than BT. I went with sky for phone, TV and broadband package!!