New House - confused about line rental

Silaqui

Hi,

I will be moving into a new house next week, and have checked with BT and there is a BT line supplied to the property which is currently inactive (as the house has been empty).

We've been looking at various options for broadband/tv, and in particular with Sky it adds 'sky line rental' to the bill - there's no way to remove it. (we may not go with sky - just want to know the options)

Now am I right in thinking that to activate my BT line, I will have to sign up to a minimum 12 month phone contract and pay line rental to them? So if I then sign up to sky for broadband and tv, would I end up paying both companies for line rental? (because I would still be in contract to BT, and I can't remove it from the sky bill)

Any clarification/advice/experiences/don't be so stupid you are obviously wrong would be gratefully received!

Silaqui

Owain_Moneysaver

You can't pay line rental to Sky as well as BT, because BT won't release the line to Sky during the minimum term.

You would have to get Sky to reconnect the line, if they are able to do so. Some providers will reconnect dormant lines, some won't and will only take over an live existing line.

Silaqui

Thanks, I have just managed to get on to one of those live chat things and they've said like you that Sky can take over a dormant line as long as it doesn't need full reconnection. So that's good, gives me a few more options!
Thanks again
S

macman

Almost any provider can reconnect you, it doesn't have to be BT, whether the line is stopped, disconnected or non-existent. You are confusing BT Retail with BT OR, entirely separate companies. The latter do the physical work on the line regardless of your provider.
BT are about the most expensive for reconnection or provision, up to £130.

Silaqui

Thanks Macman - I was doing a bit of research last night, and BT seem to be most expensive for everything - especially being as their tv package is basically a glorified freeview.

Our first choice is Virgin but the house isn't currently connected up (although others on the street are) so we have requested the 'spotters' and will hopefully hear from them soon.

x

oldharryrocks

Silaqui wrote: »

Thanks Macman - I was doing a bit of research last night, and BT seem to be most expensive for everything - especially being as their tv package is basically a glorified freeview.

Our first choice is Virgin but the house isn't currently connected up (although others on the street are) so we have requested the 'spotters' and will hopefully hear from them soon.

x

Have you had a good look at Virgin Media,s phone packages compared to others including BT.

macman

Correct, BT Vision is Freeview plus some on-demand content delievred by BT's overpriced broadband, which it locks you into.

Silaqui

oldharryrocks wrote: »

Have you had a good look at Virgin Media,s phone packages compared to others including BT.

Hi, yes as I mentioned they are my first choice - their 'essential' package is exactly what we need, but the house doesn't have a connection at the moment and they are not sure if it can be, hence asking them to send their people out.

Buzby

If your neighbours have it, then it would only be a standard install of the VM coax and twisted pair (the first for TV/BB, the second for phone). Keep your fingers crossed, as in most cases, the BB is far superior, and you don;t have to take TV unless you want to. (However, if you take TV, they insist on charging you for phone service, even if you don't want it!).

Fingers crossed!