Cheap Broadband and Cheap Line Rental!

Wagster

Hi everyone! I've been getting myself into a muddle trying to work out the best combo of line rental and broadband and was hoping you could help provide some clarity!

I've lived in my flat for 4 years or so and made do without a phone line or broadband (my mobile phone can do both). My flat was newly converted from a house so I am unsure if there is an existing phone line that just needs turning on or if I might need to call an engineer out.

I've resisted the draw of broadband mainly due to the cost of the line conection charge and line rental - I will not be making any phone calls so it seems ludicrous to pay out £12 to £14 a month for a phone line! Sadly I'm not in a Virgin Mobile area so have to pay line rental to get decent broadband (no mobile dongle for me). What is confusing me is:

1) can I find out if my flat has a phone line connected but not "activated"? How much is it likely to cost if it does need to be connected and is there anyone other than BT who will provide that service?

2) Line rental: I've just become aware of the existance of Primus who offer much cheaper line rental to BT. If I get line rental from them at their cheapest rate (£6.79 a month) can I use any broadband provider or do some restrict it to BT lines only?

Once I've got those points clear in my head I can start looking at the pros and cons of the myriad of broadband providers!!

Thanks for your help.

Wag

qpop

1) Whilst the test isn't conclusive, find a telephone socket, plug a telephone in, and if you have a dialing tone you probably won't need to pay for a connection. The official rules are that if the engineer has to do any work within the boundary of your property (i.e. the garden or closer in an old house) then you will be liable for the charge.

2) Primus will allow you to be provided with any broadband that requires a BT line, except probably BT's own!