Bt Line Connection for new build (merged)

gaahmad

Hi all, thanks very much for all your replies. I'll be calling BT next week requesting to join them, starting the middle of March, when I actually move into the property, after a bit of much-needed renovation!

I'll let you know how I get on.

topherxp

Trust me, I even checked when I was in work today. Connection charges would apply because the box has been removed, BT don't care who removed it, just that the box has been removed.

The reason I mentioned repair is because if it was a customer restarting their line after removing the box, they would be liable for timescale charges, which start at £135. But as the box wasn't damaged by the new owner just standard provision charges would apply.

hammy_the_hammer

i think i can see why there's differences of opinion here and i think something has possibly changed dramatically quite recently. not prepared to discuss it publically on here though .
best advice is to ring your service provider and enquire about any possible charges when you want a line in a property
by the way the changes would make some of what you say topherxp correct..

topherxp

hammy_the_hammer wrote:

i think i can see why there's differences of opinion here and i think something has possibly changed dramatically quite recently. not prepared to discuss it publically on here though .
best advice is to ring your service provider and enquire about any possible charges when you want a line in a property
by the way the changes would make some of what you say topherxp correct..

I agree, don't want to get into !!!!!! in work

Gazzadfc

Recently bought a new build house which comes with BT line installed (not connected). As I am a tight budget I have done my homework as I require
Phone, broadband and Sky as my TV choice (due to current offer).

NTL are in the area but are not connected to the new estate so there goes all options of NTL phone and broadband. Have checked with BT and this is where the catch is, their small print state...

* Subject to survey. Please note that some properties may have a white BT socket installed e.g. new property development, this will classify as a new connection and free reconnection will not apply.

.....so with this now comes a £99 connection charge!!!!

Thought at the time stuff it will just use mobile phone at the moment to get me through, however the only way to get broadband without NTL/cable requires a working phone line, again thought I could use familys pc and leave it for a while but the final straw was with Sky..........to get Sky you have to have it connected to a phone line!!!!!!!!!!

£99 for a few minutes work is beyond a joke but I cant see anyway out of paying it, never been a big fan of BT anyway and this makes the situatioin worse.

Heinz

Gazzadfc wrote:

.... the final straw was with Sky..........to get Sky you have to have it connected to a phone line!!!!!!!!!!

No you don't. That is only if you are subscribing for the first time and want to get the free equipment. Then, you agree to the connection for the first 12 months.

If you've already got the equipment you can install it yourself and just get a 'second hand subscription' from Sky - there is no need for the digibox to be connected to a telephone line.

In fact, Sky have at last realised the fact that some new subscribers cannot (or don't want to) connect to a landline and now just charge a £25 'NPL' (No Phone Line) fee.

With regard to the BT connection charge, being first into a new property means you are the one who will be charged. Of course, the £100 does not cover what BT have already spent (think how much it must cost to cable a whole new estate).

As you'd expect, you're not the first and it's been discussed on MSE before (when the charge was £75) - see a recent thread on the subject HERE.

adr0ck

bt pay yes thats right pay the builder to install a bt line......and yes they also provide the equipment for free (they are the only utility company to do this)

the builder installs equipment (to bt spec) .....all bt do is connect line in boxes

i'm surprised bt havnt done this already

i'm surprised youve bought a new house without a bt line installed???? i've never heard of this

this is not a reconnection its a new connection

i would think bt would do this for free???

adr0ck

apologies......i appear to be mistaken

bt do appear to charge the customer ....... guess i'm just surprised the builder doesnt pay

Steve_xx

Gazzadfc wrote:

£99 for a few minutes work is beyond a joke but I cant see anyway out of paying it, never been a big fan of BT anyway and this makes the situatioin worse.

Hardly a few minutes work to install a telephone line and commission it all the way back to the exchange. The builders may well have installed the lines to the site, for which BT will have paid them. Now BT want to recoup some of that expense from you. This is how businesses operate.

You may not be a big fan of BT, but do bear in mind that in the UK, BT, and only BT, is forced by the terms of its licence, to allow you to route your calls via other operators, over its network, should you wish to do so. No other UK operator has to do this currently.

So maybe, after some consideration, BT is not that bad after all.

natjay_2

Gazzadfc wrote:

£99 for a few minutes work is beyond a joke but I cant see anyway out of paying it, never been a big fan of BT anyway and this makes the situatioin worse.

Was the house built when you when to look at it?
If it was then I can’t believe the builder didn’t give you the house free, as it was already there