6 Weeks to install a new line

pryonic

Yup I've checked and there's no dial tone whatsoever, it's dead as a dodo.

I did call BT and say that there was a socket so there must be copper to the flat but they basically said it was the same as requesting a new line (as it had been disconnected). I also have the phone number the previous tenants had, BT said the line was no longer active.

All information I've had points to the fact that a new line and a reconnection require the same process :-/

macman

Except that they don't need to physically cable up the property-they can reconnect at the exchange or street cabinet most likely.
However as mentioned before, BT charge exactly the same for either process.

pryonic

Which means it's still six weeks, dang it!

I think the exchange is currently full, which explains:

* Why the old line was disconnected so quickly
* Why I have to wait for another scheduled disconnection (or new equipment to be installed)

Either way - I've been told there's nothing they can do

macman

6 weeks is not that unusual.
I think OR have a huge backlog of maintenance work after the bad weather, and until that is cleared, new connections presumably are not a priority.
In the bad old days before BT was privatised, it was perfectly normal to wait 4 months or more for a new line (not that that will be much consolation to you).

ashleyk

I had a similar problem when we moved into our new house 4 years ago, except that it was a new build property and no phone line had ever been installed. BT kept delaying the connection date and became downright rude at times, eventually telling me it could take 6 months which would have been a disaster for me since I work from home using the internet... After countless frustrating calls I walked down to the local exchange and knocked at the door where I explained the problem to somebody who worked there and asked his advice. He gave me the name and address of the biggest boss for BT covering the entire region and I duly sent this man a letter (rant) by recorded delivery...

The next day I had a phone call on my mobile from that high up figure in BT and later that evening the boss of the local exchange turned up at my front door with a bottle of wine and sincere apologies. Within two days they had pushed through permission from the council to dig up the road outside, clear out the sludge and lay fresh cabling... This involved a large team that worked right through the night to finish the following morning. Don't mess about with call centres when dealing with BT if you have a serious problem because they are useless. Go right up the ladder to somebody very high who can make things happen.

Sparx

ashleyk wrote: »

I had a similar problem when we moved into our new house 4 years ago, except that it was a new build property and no phone line had ever been installed. BT kept delaying the connection date and became downright rude at times, eventually telling me it could take 6 months which would have been a disaster for me since I work from home using the internet... After countless frustrating calls I walked down to the local exchange and knocked at the door where I explained the problem to somebody who worked there and asked his advice. He gave me the name and address of the biggest boss for BT covering the entire region and I duly sent this man a letter (rant) by recorded delivery...

The next day I had a phone call on my mobile from that high up figure in BT and later that evening the boss of the local exchange turned up at my front door with a bottle of wine and sincere apologies. Within two days they had pushed through permission from the council to dig up the road outside, clear out the sludge and lay fresh cabling... This involved a large team that worked right through the night to finish the following morning. Don't mess about with call centres when dealing with BT if you have a serious problem because they are useless. Go right up the ladder to somebody very high who can make things happen.

Wow, quite the story! I hope you made them all a cup of tea and gave them a good thanks! Haha.