Phone line cable physically torn from house - who to contact for repair?

digital_sneeze · 16 April 2018 at 10:23PM

This might be a bit outside the remit of this forum, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

A number of years ago while the council were doing roof work on my grandparent's house, they accidentally tore down the overhead cable from the house which connects it to the telegraph pole. When asked if she wanted it put back up my grandparent stupidly said not to bother as she had no use for the internet or a landline. However, now, she wishes to have internet access but she is unsure of who to contact to get this repaired and Virgin don't offer broadband in the area so fibre optic is not possible. I believe she contacted the telecom people in the area and they said it was the responsibility of those who tore it down, however when she contacted the council (I believe, I may be wrong) they in turn said it was up to the telecom company (BT I assume as it's their cables?).

Does anyone have any advice on the matter and if she has any rights or who specifically to contact?

Thanks

*Based in Canterbury, Kent in the UK for clarification.

jbainbridge · 16 April 2018 at 10:43PM

She might just be best placing an order with her chosen company ... then see what happens. I wouldn!!!8217;t be going into any detail about the broken line ... maybe just going as far as saying it is broken. I doubt the council would have the expertise to fix it anyway. Ultimately Openreach will need to come out and repair it ... but this will happen whoever she signs up with.

money_saving_matt · 16 April 2018 at 10:53PM

I wouldn't worry about contacting the council or Openreach to report the previous damage as she'll get nowhere fast, just sign up for a new line with the preferred supplier. If there is no cable from the pole to the house an engineer will attend site and connect one because the price of a new phone line includes this engineering work.