Strange BT box

charlotte289

macman wrote: »

It's not always necessary to reconnect inside the property, they simply ask you to be in on that day in case access is require. If there is an existing line then they can just reconnect at the street cab or exchange.

Ah That explains things! I take it it won't be BT reconnecting an old disconnected line or anything like that (say, if there had been an unpaid bill and they'd disconnected, and then it was paid)? I'm probably just being paranoid, but you know

macman

Yes, it will be the existing disconnected line-otherwise they'd have to lay a new cable into the house.
You should have just asked for a reconnection.
The downside of this is that you do not have a modern NTE5 master socket.

charlotte289

macman wrote: »

Yes, it will be the existing disconnected line-otherwise they'd have to lay a new cable into the house.
You should have just asked for a reconnection.
The downside of this is that you do not have a modern NTE5 master socket.

Well, I just knew that when I moved into the property, there was no dialtone, and when I phoned Orange to connect the broadband (yes, I know, but I'm not very rich!) they said they'd need to install a "new line" - though perhaps that wasn't the proper technical term for it.
What I meant was that I hoped it wasn't the previous tenant's provider reconnecting the line and perhaps renewing their contract, rather than mine connecting it for the first time.

macman

Why would the previous tenant have the line reconnected?
The only company that can reconnect a line is BT OR, regardless of which provider you pay line rental to.
You'll get a new no, it'll just be on an existing line.

charlotte289

macman wrote: »

Why would the previous tenant have the line reconnected?

I thought that might be possible if they hadn't informed their phone provider that they'd left - after all, I get debt collectors' letters addressed to the previous tenants, and got bills from British Gas addressed to them before I told them they'd moved...

The only company that can reconnect a line is BT OR, regardless of which provider you pay line rental to.
You'll get a new no, it'll just be on an existing line.

Ah - so if it's the same company, they won't act on conflicting instructions (like one instruction from BT and one from Orange, for instance?) I know I'm being slightly paranoid with this but I don't want any further hassle with things at the moment, especially considering my past landlord problems (grumble)... :cool:

macman

I don't understand why you think Orange would have it reconnected if the previous tenants have done a flit owing money?
It's now a different line as far as BT are concerned, it just happens to use the existing cabling.

charlotte289

macman wrote: »

I don't understand why you think Orange would have it reconnected if the previous tenants have done a flit owing money?
It's now a different line as far as BT are concerned, it just happens to use the existing cabling.

I mean, if they'd not paid, and then they had to pay because the landlord asked them to or something... Heh, never mind.

macman

Nothing to do with the landlord if it's their account. You've already confirmed that the number has been changed. Stop worrying and 'enjoy' your new phone line.

charlotte289

Thanks - I have been 'enjoying' it

The installation guy came this morning and tested the line, by the way, and replaced the old socket in the hallway with an NTE5 socket, so all's well!