BT charging to stop broadband service?!?

MataNui

I am thinking of moving my broadband to sky from BT so seeing this thread got me interested and prompted some research.
It seems that sky have 2 different types of LLU. With the older type a MAC is needed when transferring from BT, with the newer type it isnt. Sadly it seems it isnt possible to know which will apply to you before submitting your order. If you know someone with Sky on the same exchange i believe you can find out from their router stats if they are on the newer technology (so you at least know if it is available at your exchange). This doesnt mean that your connection will be on that though.

I also found some other info on when a cease charge is raised. It turns out that either way you are moving then you shouldnt really get one. They cant be raised using a MAc and they shouldnt be raised when transferring to an LLU. I think the exact working from the BT Wholsale T&C is :-

SECTION 44. WHOLESALE BROADBAND SERVICES
Part 3. Broadband Ancillary Charges
SUB PART 2.0 : BROADBAND ASYMMETRIC ANCILLARY CHARGES
END USER CEASE CHARGES
General Description
Cease charges will apply when a BT Wholesale ADSL End User service is terminated or replaced by a non-BT Wholesale ADSL End User service (cease and re-provide). A cease charge will be raised under the following circumstances:
· The Service Provider raises a cease order.
· The Service Provider asks BT Wholesale to raise a cease order on their behalf.
· Openreach issue an unsolicited cease because the PSTN service has been
terminated.

A cease charge will not be raised in the following circumstances:
· The End User line has been migrated to another ADSL service provider using the
published migration process.
· The End User line has been migrated to an LLU operator (either SMPF or MPF)
using the published migration process.
· When End User service is migrated to another BT Wholesale ADSL service and /
or to another Communications Provider (CP) where a MAC code is used.

End User Cease Charge: £24.74 (exc VAT)
Operative Date: 01-04-2010

This means that providing Sky are following proper process you should never get one. The thing is they can get raised for various reasons (BT can raise one for you automatically even if they are not being charged).

So it seems there are 2 options. In either case the OP shouldnt have to pay. Firstly BT need to confirm and prove they have been charged and are passing on that charge. If they cant do that then they cant make you pay it. If they can prove that then Sky have ****ed up. In that case you need to pay BT then reclaim it from Sky who are the party at fault.

geelamch

Just phoned bt to cancel services (TV ,broadband and vision). They said ok 6th august then said there would be a thirty pound charge to cancel broadband . I asked why and she said an engineer has to come out. I said no one came out to install it as you sent equipment by post.she said well you will be charged ! I think this is unfair as we deliberately did not renew our contract which expired one week ago. Don't think this is fair.

penrhyn

Its a standard charge levied by BT Open Reach. Its the same if you cancel any ISP.
The way to avoid it is to ask for a MAC, always assuming that you want a new ISP.

Bit late now though.


From BT Website:-
Broadband Cease Charge

What is the Broadband Cease Charge?

The Broadband Cease Charge is a charge raised in certain circumstances to cover the additional cost to BT of the work required within an exchange to recover equipment and amend records when a Broadband line is ceased.
When will the charge be raised?

This charge will be raised should you :-

1. Switch to another Broadband provider without following the standard Migration Authorisation Code (MAC) process.
2. Switch to another Broadband provider without following another recognised transfer process, when it applies.
3. Switch to a Cable provider.
4. Cease your Broadband completely.
5. Cease your Broadband and move outside of the UK.

When won't the charge be raised?

This charge will not be raised should you :-

1. Move home and you re-connect to BT Total Broadband via the homemover process.
2. Move home and we are unable to provide the service at your new UK address.
3. You are ceasing service due to bereavement or severe illness.

How much will I be charged?

Charge will be £30. This charge is compensatory and not subject to VAT.
What is the MAC transfer process?

MAC stands for "Migration Authorisation Code". This code of practice allows customers to move between Broadband providers without loss of service. To follow the MAC process a customer must contact their current Broadband provider to request a MAC Code. This MAC code must then be given to the receiving Broadband provider to enable them to migrate the broadband service.
See your full Broadband Terms and Conditions

iniltous

geelamch wrote: »

Just phoned bt to cancel services (TV ,broadband and vision). They said ok 6th august then said there would be a thirty pound charge to cancel broadband . I asked why and she said an engineer has to come out. I said no one came out to install it as you sent equipment by post.she said well you will be charged ! I think this is unfair as we deliberately did not renew our contract which expired one week ago. Don't think this is fair.

They mean a engineer has to go out to the exchange , not your home, and disconnect the line from your service providers broadband equipment, this is what they can (and do) charge for, Openreach charge the service provider, and as you are going to be an ex customer of that provider, they charge you, so they are not out of pocket, and they can afford to hack you off as you were leaving anyway

macman

This has been in the BT T&C's for about 5 years now, along with every other ADSL-based ISP.

BigBug21

My Broadband contract with BT has come to an end and I have been told that if I do not renew it there will be a termination charge of £30. BEWARE, if you take out a BT Broadband contract there will be a £30 fee to pay at the end,

Browntoa

many many threads on her about it, allowed by Ofcom and you can avoid by asking for a MAC code to move to another broadband supplier

iniltous

BigBug21 wrote: »

My Broadband contract with BT has come to an end and I have been told that if I do not renew it there will be a termination charge of £30. BEWARE, if you take out a BT Broadband contract there will be a £30 fee to pay at the end,

As already stated, it's not just BT, if you decide to cease your broadband or move to another broadband provider without using the MAC procedure then you may get charged £30, this is a charge raised to the ISP by Openreach , the ISP will almost certainly try to recover it from you, the end user, and it doesn't matter if it's BT or Sky or TalkTalk or anyone else

brianposter

Silly charges is one of the reasons why my 300 metres of telephone line have been unused for the last 3 years.

VisionMan

brianposter wrote: »

Silly charges is one of the reasons why my 300 metres of telephone line have been unused for the last 3 years.

Good for you. Still doesn't help the users of this thread though.