New Build - Line Connection

Jadee

Hiya guys

Buying my first home, completing (hopefully) on the 5th July.

There's already a phone line installed in the living room and bedroom (sockets etc).

I want to go with Sky for TV/BB etc, as it's the only one available in the area. But after ringing Sky it apparently says on their system that a BT person has to do this??

Does it cost? If so, roughly how much, so I can budget for this. All I've read so far is for phone lines having to be installed. All I need is activating.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Jade

The_pc_tech

Hi
Openreach (part of BT) own the 'copper loop' running between the exchange and the property so an engineer may have to attend the exchange and physically reconnect the wire to the distribution frame.

BT Retail would charge you £110 for this I believe, have Sky not given a price?

Jadee

Thanks

Sky didn't mention anything about being able to do this. They said it had to be BT. This is why I'm confused.

The_pc_tech

Had a quick look on Sky's site and couldn't see any charge for connection so you maybe right.

You could always go to a provider with a one month contract such as IDNet or Zen and get them to connect it for you then move it.

LeoC

I moved to a new flat without a working phone line and I called Sky and they told me that installing a new line, if ordered online, is free (12-month contract minimum). If ordered over the phone, it's £10. A BT/Openreach engineer will install the new line on behalf of Sky. Other providers charge £50-100 for this service so it seems like Sky is subsidising the cost.

I haven't done this yet, but this is the information I got from Sky.

Jadee

Thanks guys.

I rang Sky again and got through to someone different. They told me it's BT they use to do the work, and they just instruct them to do so.

They have an offer at the mo, where it's free to activate, but when it isn't free it's a max of £39

borkid

Hi Jadee I have just (5 weeks ago) moved into a new build. All internal phone sockets were there but BT ( well their contractors) needed to connect the house to the network. This took 2 weeks of near constant nagging to BT. They had booked an engineers appointment for the day we moved in but he didn't appear and we were not told of the cancelled appointment, infact we had had emails and texts up until the day before saying he would be coming. Later we were told that they do not arrange engineers appointments until you have moved into a new build. Mind you this could be incorrect because when we were finally connected BT didn't know about it.

Just so you are forwarned you might not be connected when promised. Maybe Sky has more of a higher standing with BT though. We have heard of people waiting 7 weeks in this area to be connected in fact even the engineer who came said 2 weeks was quick!