Alternative to BT

utilitybroker

Madasafish will normally only connect it Free if the wiring and master socket are working and in situ, and the line has not been permanently disconnected.

If its a completely new connection you are after they will charge £115.

thelawnet

BT really are a pathetic company.

I just received a mailshot "come back to BT", with an 0800 number to call.

Hmm, I'll give that a try.

Monday to Saturday 7:30am-10:00pm

So I call them, 8:30pm.

"We are sorry, the helpdesk you are calling is now closed."

Utterly pathetic

simon_owen

thelawnet, did you come up with any good alternatives (apart from madasafish) in the end?

thelawnet wrote: »

BT really are a pathetic company.

I just received a mailshot "come back to BT", with an 0800 number to call.

Hmm, I'll give that a try.

Monday to Saturday 7:30am-10:00pm

So I call them, 8:30pm.

"We are sorry, the helpdesk you are calling is now closed."

Utterly pathetic

boatman

thelawnet wrote: »

ok, all I want is

cheap/free reconnection
can use 18866/18185 dialing prefixes
can use any broadband provider

Ideas/List?

I'm looking to restart the BT line in the house i've just moved to as per the requirements above, whats the choice??
The other problem is that i want to take my number with me but BT said no because its at a different exchange although it is the same local area code, could someone tell me why they can't transfer the number.

Ypaymore

boatman wrote: »

I'm looking to restart the BT line in the house i've just moved to as per the requirements above, whats the choice??
The other problem is that i want to take my number with me but BT said no because its at a different exchange although it is the same local area code, could someone tell me why they can't transfer the number.

The only provider that has to allow you access to the likes of 18185 is BT.They are also the only supplier that will allow to use an alternative call supplier.Also if you have BT line, you have the option to choose any of the ADSL broadband providers available in the market place.

If your looking for cheaper calls/services read this. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=5875127&postcount=17

If the wiring etc is still fully in place you should be able to get free connection from BT subject to a 12 month contract.

You have only ever been able to move a residential number within a physical exchange boundary,not the local code boundary.

boatman

Thanks for that. Which providers, if any, can get or are willing to get the line restarted? Do you think its possible for one of them to get the number transfered even though its at a different exchange? I'm guessing no if BT say no. The only alternative is cable, not a great choice!!

knicol46

I wanted to change from a cable broadband connection to a ADSL connection and have no other option going back to BT.

The experience was challenging to say the least, constant press 1 for this dept, press 2 for that dept etc then more sub menu options then eventually I get to speak with someone and I ask to reconnect. They refused to believe myself when I told them I have the master socket and wiring in place in the house as I was previously with them 2 years prior to the call - officially they classed the line as being ceased - meaning the customer has to be charged a line connection charge of £124.99 to turn it back on.

This fee completely wipes out any incentive to change supplier.

littleboo

knicol46 wrote: »

I wanted to change from a cable broadband connection to a ADSL connection and have no other option going back to BT.

Why ? There are a number of BT's competitors that offer the service.

robchambersvip

thelawnet wrote: »

BT are a useless company with the worst customer service I've ever experienced.

I tried to get a line from them before, and they cocked up the installation and never connected me but still charged me.

I tried to get the customer support to fix it and they just put me through to wrong departments, refused to pass any messages on, etc., just wasting my time for hours, just utter incompetence.

I sent them an email saying I would sue them if they did not respond within one week. No reply, so I sued.

I eventually got a boilerplate, useless, reply to the email three weeks later .

Anyway, I eventually got my money back, although they did manage to disconnect my Bulldog line.

I am moving house and just called, foolishly, to try and get a line from them. After 10 minutes on hold (and this is how they treat NEW customers), I was greeted with "Hello, BT Broadband".

Er, no, I called for a phone line.

"We will have somebody call you back within five working days."

Five working days?!?!? I'm moving on Saturday, that's pathetic, goodbye.


So suffice to say, I'm not keen on signing up with them.

What alternative companies can provide service on a standard (not cable) phone line?

hi, openreach a completely seperate company from bt now puts all the lines in and does all the work at exchange ect. there are a couple or more alternatives to bt where bt is completely bypassed. one is the post office and the other talk talk. however the post office is currently the cheapest in uk at £20.50 pcm for basic broardband and phone giving free international and mobile calls on weekends. if you move into a property and theres a phone line or not a phone line you can phone talk talk or the post office and they will get openreach to connect the line through the exchange at aprice just under £120 or connect an existing line for same price if it hasnt been used for 6mths plus and the line tental is paid to talk talk or post office and has nothing to do with bt. i hate bt and have basic phone and broardband with the post office for £20.50 pcm. if your a bigger internet user you can up your packages which are a bit dearer. if you havent got cable and you dont want to use any phone lines, theres only slow mobile broardband through a mobile phone provider and if your in a bad reception area, well im afraid your stuffed. regards rob

slenderkitten

I am looking at changing from bt landline i am not on a contract so i am free to leave, i just have the basic phone package as i dont use it; only for 0870 or 0845 numbers.

i have 2nd line with orange broadband i dont know how much orange is a month. are they likely to give any offers at all to take it over, i only have the line because i need the internet.

I do have orange mobile so i make all inclusive calls on that, i dont really need a landline but my broadband is only £5 a month and i get free eu calls and usa calls so its a good deal.

Any ideas people