Trying to leave BT Basic 31 March 2014 at 3:53PM in Phones & TV 3 replies 1.1K views

Pete_of_Ebor

I'm currently with BT Basic for my landline but I have broadband with another supplier - my employer. I've just got word that I can get a special deal from my employer if I switch my phone to them as well. I have been told however that I cannot be swapped as long as I am on the BT Basic, and that I must change to another BT package before I can be swapped over. Having contacted BT, I have been told that this is not the case - my new supplier should be able to take the BT Basic line from them, and that if I do take a new package, it will bind me into a contract - something I obviously don't want. Where do I go from here ?

Graham1

You should be able to change from BT basic back to the standard BT package (whatever they call unlimited weekend these days) without entering into a new minimum contract period provided you don't take any of the additional inclusive calls options or discounted line rental for advance payment. You need to talk to the BT basic customer service people as the regular C/S are clueless about BT basic.

As this means spending quite a bit more on line rental you're employer's deal would need to be pretty good to make it worthwhile.

All the best broadband deals are for combined rental/calls/BB these days. Supplying line rental and calls appears to be more profitable than B/B.

money_saving_matt

Pete_of_Ebor wrote: »

I'm currently with BT Basic for my landline but I have broadband with another supplier - my employer. I've just got word that I can get a special deal from my employer if I switch my phone to them as well. I have been told however that I cannot be swapped as long as I am on the BT Basic, and that I must change to another BT package before I can be swapped over. Having contacted BT, I have been told that this is not the case - my new supplier should be able to take the BT Basic line from them, and that if I do take a new package, it will bind me into a contract - something I obviously don't want. Where do I go from here ?

What BT have told you is incorrect. Other suppliers cannot transfer lines with BT basic, it has to be removed from your account first. You should be able to have this removed without being locked into a contract - it might be worth trying to speak to a team leader when you phone back.

Pete_of_Ebor

Thanks for the replies. I phoned BT again and this time got to speak to someone who appeared to know what they were doing. It turns out that I WAS given duff info by BT on my first call. Other operators cannot take over a BT Basic line - the customer must first transfer to the BT standard package, with no special features. If any special features are added, then they can use this to lock you into a new contract. Fingers crossed...
Thanks again.