Confused, can someone help a technophobe?

amber1979

Ok, I'm going to look like a right numpty asking this but I am confused!

I've just moved into a flat. I would like a landline and wireless internet.

However, I have no idea how to go about this. I've rang BT to find out if they own the line or if not, who does, to no avail. They have no record of a BT line at my address.

Most of the packages available seem to require you to have a BT line already.

I'm a bit on the poor side, so does anybody have ideas as to how I can sort this out cheaply? Do I have to get BT to connect the line?

Be gentle, I'm not good with this kind of thing!

:beer:

Heinz

Are there any telephone sockets in the flat?

If not, you'll need a new line installed. Any of the line providers now in the market can employ Openreach on your behalf to install one. Prices vary from about £60 up to BT's £127 (although BT do have a £29.99 special offer on at the moment if you agree to an 18 month contract and to making 10 calls per month).

If there is a socket, plug a phone in and see if there's a dial tone and, if there is, dial 17070 and listen for the automated announcement, "This circuit is identified as ......"

amber1979

Yes, there is a socket. I haven't tried using it yet though. I'll try that number.

amber1979

Ok, I tried that. I didn't even get a dial tone. What do I do next?

I'm sorry to sound like a bit of an idiot, but I'm genuinely confused. I've tried speaking to various organisations, BT, Orange, the Post Office. None of which made any sense.

Help?

macman

Your line will require reconnection, once that's done and you have a number, you can order your broadband.
I suggest you look at https://www.samknows.com and do a exchange search to see what your LLU options are for broadband, these will be the cheapest deals on your exchange.

Mark_In_Hampshire

The first step is to choose which supplier you want. Since you need a line connection, you're limited to Plusnet, Talk Talk, IDNET, BT, The Post Office (can anyone add more?)

The install will, as above, cost circa £120, then you have the monthly or quarterly bills after that. BT do run special offers on the connection charge which you should weigh against the contract length and customer service problems.

You can also take broadband from the same company if you wish to, or from anyone else. If you have no preference, IDNET are very good for both. PlusNet get some good reviews. BT's reputation is poor; Talk Talk's is perhaps slightly better and the broadband has had some good reviews, but neither offer great customer service.

If you have no special preferences, I'd suggest Plusnet. I suspect Plusnet is more likely to throw in a free wireless router than IDNET is, so that could save you £30, and it's arguably more technophobe friendly.

However if Virgin Media cable (cable, only) is available where you live this is far more likely to be the best option, as apart from having vastly superior broadband, it's all installed and set up for you, and it's much cheaper to install. The downside is that the calls aren't the cheapest.

When you contact them, you need to ask for 1. line connection 2. line rental 3. broadband

amber1979

Can I ask, what does LLU stand for? And I thought that "exhanges" were something from the 1950's with girls manually plugging in calls.....

God this all makes me feel old!

Mark_In_Hampshire

LLU = "local loop unbundled"

For broadband, this means that your connection completely avoids the BT kit in the exchange and connects to your ISP directly. For that reason the service is generally cheaper for the supplier to offer.

For non LLU (resold BT products) while you might have a broadband connection with, say, O2 (apparently) the other end of your phone line remains at the mercy of congestion on the BT network.

amber1979

Ok, that makes sense.

Right off to harrass Plusnet. Idnet looked a bit complicated and expensive at £30 pound a month.

macman

You'll only get the £6.49 rate from Plusnet is you are on a Market 2 or 3 exchange, which is why you need to do your samknows research first.
Don't sign up by phone, you'll miss the 3 months free and of course the Quidco cashback.

Mark_In_Hampshire

Good advice from macman - do pop back and let us know how you get on and if you need anything else.