Catch 22: BT 12 mths contract needed to migrate to TalkTalk???

Hofi

I just moved into a new house; the previous tenant was a BT customer and there still is a dial tone on the line.

I signed up for phone line rental and broadband from Talktalk, assuming that a dial tone is all they needed to switch me. Now TalkTalk seem to be telling me (without being too clear) that an "active line" in their book is a line for which a contract with BT exists in my name.

When I called BT, they told me there was an "active line" at my house and that they could switch me on within 48 hours. Only one catch: I would have to rent my line from BT for 12 months minimum.

Is this a classical catch 22 situation precluding me from effectively opting for TalkTalk or has someone found a way around this?

Thanks for any help, Chris

TalkTalkBoy

TalkTalk do define an active line as one which is with BT and you pay line rental for. At present talktalk do not activate there own lines but there are trials underway with a small group of people. It is due to be rolled out within the next month company wide. Unfourtnaetly until then this is your only choice.

Heinz

You can pay the £124.99 for the reconection and then £70 for breaching your contract with BT and then move to Talk Talk.

And the best of luck.

Steve_xx

Heinz wrote: »

You can pay the £124.99 for the reconection and then £70 for breaching your contract with BT and then move to Talk Talk.

And the best of luck.

Might it be different if the op is a migrating BT customer?

Ypaymore

Steve_xx wrote: »

Might it be different if the op is a migrating BT customer?

If the op paid the BT Connection Fee,and then moved to Talk Talk he would be migrating from BT. Or am i missing the point.

Steve_xx

Ypaymore wrote: »

If the op paid the BT Connection Fee,and then moved to Talk Talk he would be migrating from BT. Or am i missing the point.

Sorry, yes you're missing the point. I didn't state it clearly.

I meant to say that if the op had moved from BT in his/her old house to BT in the new home, then that might be a different case and might enable a more cost-effective migrate to TalkTalk?

going2die_rich

Heinz wrote: »

You can pay the £124.99 for the reconection and then £70 for breaching your contract with BT and then move to Talk Talk.

And the best of luck.

I thought the £125 reconnection fee was only if a new line was needed, else it was free? I may be wrong, but I was pretty certain on that.

going2die_rich

TalkTalkBoy wrote: »

TalkTalk do define an active line as one which is with BT and you pay line rental for. At present talktalk do not activate there own lines but there are trials underway with a small group of people. It is due to be rolled out within the next month company wide. Unfourtnaetly until then this is your only choice.

Start of the month, end of the month?

The OP may find it useful to wait if you had an idea of when next month, as to be fair, £70+ saved for not having a phone line for a week or two might be acceptable. Especially since it seems the OP is probably wanting the Talk Talk package to save on additional broadband costs.

going2die_rich

I believe Tiscali now do a similiar offer to Talk Talk, although they are slightly more expensive, but do have an unlimited download limit (fair usage), but I'm not sure if they also require an "active" bt line in order to migrate you over. Worth phoning them up and finding out though.

Ypaymore

going2die_rich wrote: »

I thought the £125 reconnection fee was only if a new line was needed, else it was free? I may be wrong, but I was pretty certain on that.

No their only connect foc a line that has been stopped, where the wiring and socket is in place and works.