Do I need to switch landline provider? - First time internet buyer

criboo

Hey everyone,

I'm a complete and utter newbie at this but I'll do my best to explain my situation and word my questions clearly.

I've already established I cannot get fibre optic internet in my new house, so that's disappointing.

I currently have an active BT landline, which I've checked by calling 17070, but I do not want to get my broadband from BT because they only do 18 month contracts, and in one year I'll be graduating, and no idea where I'll be going then, and no one of my flatmates will likely want to take over the contract.

Thus, it is crucial we get a 12 month contract.

But, I don't understand if I need to switch my landline provider? If not, are there any broadband companies with which I do need to change?

I had a quick look at Plusnet, who say I don't have a compatible phone service, and need to take one of their home phone packages and transfer my landline which can take up to three weeks... I'd really not like to wait so long.

So basically, can anyone advise me which networks I'd not need to change landline for, or if I'd have to irrespective of whom I go with?

Thanks a lot for answering my queries

Chris

onomatopoeia99

A&A do not require you to switch landline provider and offer short contracts - their "Home 1" is six months then rolling monthly.

They are also an excellent ISP (I use them and happily recommend them), don't try to sell you sports channels for your telly, don't try to sell you an internet connection based on how good the wifi on the router they supply is (because the quality of the wifi signal on a router is nothing to do with how good an ISP is!), but are not suitable for anyone that thinks "unlimited" is important or anyone that buys on prices rather than quality.

JohnDinton

criboo wrote: »

...I had a quick look at Plusnet, who say I don't have a compatible phone service, and need to take one of their home phone packages and transfer my landline which can take up to three weeks... I'd really not like to wait so long...

If you have a BT line I don't understand how it can be incompatible with PlusNet. I think Plusnet does have a LLU offering in many places, but if you look at the website http://www.plus.net it also offers Broadband only on a BT line. It offers a monthly rolling contract. It is what I have. For telephony I use BT so that (for the moment) I can use Indirect Access over 18185. http://www.18185.co.uk

LazyTyper

JohnDinton wrote: »

I think Plusnet does have a LLU offering in many places,

Plusnet did give LLU a shot many years ago, but as far as I am aware they abandoned that idea, far too many complaints.

Plusnet are owned by BT Group and only use BT Wholesale to supply broadband (correct me if I am wrong).

JohnDinton

In that case I doubly don't understand how the BT line can be incompatible and need to be replaced with another line after a three week outage.

spyhunter

You say it's an active BT line but do you actually pay line rental to BT or any other company?

The reason i ask is because you said you checked it was active by dialling 17070.

If you were a customer of a telephone provider why would you need to check it is active as you would know this already because you would be getting and paying bills.

Are you sure the line is not a stopped line and by dialling 17070 you have been given the ghost number?

criboo

spyhunter wrote: »

You say it's an active BT line but do you actually pay line rental to BT or any other company?

The reason i ask is because you said you checked it was active by dialling 17070.

If you were a customer of a telephone provider why would you need to check it is active as you would know this already because you would be getting and paying bills.

Are you sure the line is not a stopped line and by dialling 17070 you have been given the ghost number?

I thank everyone for all their replies, sorry I couldn't get back sooner.

The landline is active, I've tested it by phoning it and answering, and phoning my phone from it, but I don't know who is paying for it, I've lived here for only two weeks and it is just there...

As for cost:quality, I need to be wary of the costs because it's a three-way bill split and no one wants to pay through the roof, plus I need unlimited data, I am a heavy data user and not sure about the flatmates.

macman

What happens when you dial 150?