Question on the phone line

roadsidetree

Hi

OH moved into a new house last week. before moving we rang BT and arranged for a new line to be installed which according to BT has been done on last Monday.

But in the house we saw a phone white box with NTL name on it. we searched and searched and could not find any other phone box. when we ring up the agency they have no clue either. Bt says the line is working fine.

so the question is - how to find the BT phone line box

Can some one help please?

BT_man

Have you tried the ntl point? Is your house a new build? Can you follow the BT wiring from telegraph pole into the property to find if any wiring exists? They may have connected the wrong address if it tests ok from their end.
If you have no joy then report a fault to BT. It should not be chargable providing there is evidence that service has existed in the past.

roadsidetree

Hi BT_man,

Thanks for your response.

We are trying the NTL point. No luck so far

I just tried reporting fault to BT through the web. BT is suggesting that the problem could be on the property.

I know for sure that the instrument I am using currently worked fine in the previous property. Looks like I have to schedule a BT engineer visit.

Thanks once again

hammy_the_hammer

i would guess your property isn't brand new...bt have connected your line or activated your line to what they believe to be your property ...as for whether a bt socket exists in your house you'll need to give some more info ..is it a new house on an estate ? etc

roadsidetree

hi,

thanks for replying. i will try to give you all the facts.

it is an old house. when we enquired about the line with bT first time, they said there used be an existing line. it is just that we are unable to find any socket. there is only one socket which has NTL name on it which doesn't work either

just to make sure - we also did a search in BT directory for our address and we did find our telephone number.

i will try to book for a bt engineer today. fingers crossed..

Heinz

roadsidetree wrote:

it is an old house. when we enquired about the line with bT first time, they said there used be an existing line. it is just that we are unable to find any socket. there is only one socket which has NTL name on it which doesn't work either

just to make sure - we also did a search in BT directory for our address and we did find our telephone number.

It sounds like someone has removed the old BT main socket (possibly during redecoration or, perhaps, when the NTL line was installed) but BT obviously didn't know that and assumed they could just 'reconnect' you (at no charge).

Because the BT socket is missing, BT will now have to treat it as a new installation and, for that, £124.99 is the standard fee.

roadsidetree

Thanks for your reply Heinz.

But if this turns out to be the case, considering the fact that OH will be there for just 6 months or so we will be gutted

is there any other way of making sure this would be the case - apart from obviously scheduling a BT engineer visit ?

EDIT

also if this turns out to be the case, do you think we should cancel BT line and take out a line from NTL perhaps? OH apparently has already ordered for 3-months broadband contract from Fast.

hammy_the_hammer

there's been some differing opinions on the situation you find yourself in. bt service has obviously existed in the past to your house and bt's records must show this for them to try and 'activate' your line . certainly in the past this would have been enough to guarantee no charges to bring the line back into service. a couple of people who work in bt sales post in here and they will hopefully advise you of the current policy.
ring sales and explain the situation ...i would hope that you wouldn't be charged.

roadsidetree

the phone line is sorted now :T

y'day oh booked for a bt engineer who turned out this morning. apparently previous tenants have physically cut the telephone wire outside. good man from BT sorted it free of charge :j

thanks to all you kind people :xmastree:

Heinz

Great news.

A Sunday visit and a f.o.c. repair?

Either you know someone who knows someone or you must serve great coffeee and biscuits!

Where was the BT socket hidden then? Or did the BT line suddenly appear on the NTL socket?

roadsidetree

Hi heinz,

i must admit that i served special tea with biscuits to go along

Eng ended up setting up a new BT socket..