BT line for new build property

pinkshoes

Ok, so we're going to HAVE to pay the £124.99 connection charge for BT, which I think is rather extortionate, but we have no choice.

We need to get broadband ASAP, but don't want to use BT, but BT tell us we have to sign up with them for a minimum of 3 months before switching to another company, but their broadband contracts only have 12 and 18 month contracts, so as far as I can see, that means we either have to take a 12 month contract for BT broadband, or go without broadband access for 3 months (not an option!) to be able to go with another company.

I thought BT had to share their lines nicely with other companies to allow fair competition? I would hardly call this fair play, because we want to go with another company buy physically can't! Any suggestions anyone? I feel like there has to be a more simple solution!

espresso

I think that you may have misunderstood regarding the three months. I believe that the three month minimum term is for the line i.e. you need to keep your line rental with BT and can't switch to another telephone provider. However unless you wanted to sign up with say TalkTalk (line + BB), this should not affect the provision of ADSL from any of the hundreds of ISP's. see thinkbroadband or ispreview

moonrakerz

pinkshoes wrote: »

Ok, so we're going to HAVE to pay the £124.99 connection charge for BT, which I think is rather extortionate, but we have no choice.

Extortionate ? For that money you would be lucky to get two hours labour in your local garage.

From BT you get a telephone/ADSL connection to the world, via billions of pounds worth of equipment which BT have paid for and then you admit you don't even intend to use BT for your services. Sounds like pretty good value to me !

DEMO_3

money is 'subjective' . what is extortionate to one person can be reasonbale to another, its all abot 'personal ability'.

from BT's point of view, £125 is reasonable considering the expensive equipment / installments labour required in the job...?

from the customers point of paying £125 for something you wont be using is a 'waste of money'.....??

moonrakerz

DEMO wrote: »

you wont be using .....??

????

That is my point - they will be using it !

BexTech

You can get your broadband from other providers who don't need to take over your line rental.

You would be wise to keep line rental with BT anyway, as you can get some great deals on phone call charges, by using Primus Saver 2 and call 18185.

pinkshoes

Thanks for the advice!

Am a little on the broke side after having to furnish the house, hence £125 is alot of money. From a business point of view, BT could charge £25 for every time the house has different occupants, which no one would complain about, and I'm sure they'd get 5 different clients in over the years, plus people would probably stay with them because they wouldn't be hacked off about having to find £125!

I remember BT being told to share their lines nicely to allow fair competition, so was just a little surprised that they force you to take up 3 months line rental with them. I had my eye on a phone & broadband package elsewhere, hence didn't want the 3 months of BT line rental.

moonrakerz

pinkshoes wrote: »

I remember BT being told to share their lines nicely to allow fair competition, so was just a little surprised that they force you to take up 3 months line rental with them. I had my eye on a phone & broadband package elsewhere, hence didn't want the 3 months of BT line rental.

BT really is the best supplier of line rental. They HAVE to allow you to access any other supplier over their line. Other line rental companies do not have to; they can, and do, charge more or deny access to cheaper suppliers.

gt94sss2

pinkshoes wrote: »

I remember BT being told to share their lines nicely to allow fair competition, so was just a little surprised that they force you to take up 3 months line rental with them. I had my eye on a phone & broadband package elsewhere, hence didn't want the 3 months of BT line rental.

On a new line, the minimum contract for line rental is actually 12 months.

Its 3 months if you are taking over an existing/previously installed line.

Regards
Sunil

BritBrat

£124.99 is the going rate, dont think you can avoid it.

Regards
Sunil

Is that the Sunil sud from newsgroups?

scrooge82

I bought a new property in February 2006, but wasn't moving in until September when i was getting married.

I checked cost of BT new line - £74.99 (FEB 06)

Thought i might as well wait untill September - upto £99.99 (SEPT 06)
Spent more on the wedding and honeymoon than should have. So had to wait until this year

Wanted to go ahead Feb 07 - Now upto £124.99 (FEB 07)

THATS A 40% INCREASE IN 12 MONTHS

BT ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE BECAUSE THERE IS NO OVER OPTION.

Cable cant be installed on new estates until they have been completed for 2 years!

I'm not having BT at that price (I know i'm cutting off my nose to spite my face!)

Been looking into other options - I think but i'm not positive - Bulldog will install a line for you at £99 - but i've not phoned.

As far as leaving BT once line is installed you can, but its £18 at any point during first 12 months.