Moving to FTTC "Waiting list" Area

ConfusedOfDevon

Hi,

We are in the process of purchasing a property in North Devon which is currently operated as a small bed & breakfast. The property currently has FTTC broadband provided by BT, but the we know that new FTTC connections in the area are on the basis of a waiting list (using the BT Wholesale checker tool).

Because of the B&B aspect, it's vital that we take over the existing phone number and don't lose the FTTC connection when we take over the property - dropping down to ADSL and joining a queue for FTTC (for an indefinite amount of time) is not going to be good for business.

Everything that I've read online suggests that keeping the phone number is simple enough, but that when the current owners close their account with BT and we start a new one (we are not currently BT customers) the broadband connection will be terminated, grabbed by the queue and we will be placed at the back of the FTTC queue.

Firstly, is there a way around this so that we can keep the FTTC connection and not drop down to ADSL.
Secondly, if so, does it have to be with BT (and their expensive, lengthly contracts)?

Croft12

ConfusedOfDevon wrote: »

Hi,

We are in the process of purchasing a property in North Devon which is currently operated as a small bed & breakfast. The property currently has FTTC broadband provided by BT, but the we know that new FTTC connections in the area are on the basis of a waiting list (using the BT Wholesale checker tool).

Because of the B&B aspect, it's vital that we take over the existing phone number and don't lose the FTTC connection when we take over the property - dropping down to ADSL and joining a queue for FTTC (for an indefinite amount of time) is not going to be good for business.

Everything that I've read online suggests that keeping the phone number is simple enough, but that when the current owners close their account with BT and we start a new one (we are not currently BT customers) the broadband connection will be terminated, grabbed by the queue and we will be placed at the back of the FTTC queue.

Firstly, is there a way around this so that we can keep the FTTC connection and not drop down to ADSL.
Secondly, if so, does it have to be with BT (and their expensive, lengthly contracts)?

I'd speak with BT and see what the situation is (are you bt atm?)

JJ_Egan

Likewise and existing owner may keep phone number or it reverts back to OR .
As above as its a business contract speak to BTs business team .


My thoughts would be for the existing owner not to cancel but leave it in place for a month while you take over .

Chino

JJ_Egan wrote: »

As above as its a business contract speak to BTs business team .

Indeed, as the B&B's existing phone and broadband service would be provided on a business contract, any existing contract can presumably continue without interruption when you take ownership of the business because any invoices would be the responsibility of the business not an individual.

From BT's consumer terms and conditions:
"6. How you can use the service

a. Each service is just for you and your household for personal use (meaning that it should not be used for any trade, business or profession). You're responsible for how each service and the equipment are used."
https://www.bt.com/terms/post11thjan2019voiceandbroadband/

unforeseen

Indeed, as the B&B's existing phone and broadband service would be provided on a business contract

That is only an assumption at the moment, especially for a small B&B, regardless of what the t&cs say.

OP is yet to find that out unless it's already known but not mentioned

Croft12

unforeseen wrote: »

That is only an assumption at the moment, especially for a small B&B, regardless of what the t&cs say.

OP is yet to find that out unless it's already known but not mentioned

Tbh BT turn a bling eye to widespread use of domestic lines

The_Fat_Controller

Irrespective of whether it's a business or residential line, what you need to do is take over the service from the current owner with their agreement.

What is in the contract of sale regarding the B&B business ?

ConfusedOfDevon

Thanks for all of the advice so far.

• I understand that the current owner just has a residential line - even though the T&Cs say they shouldn't.
• They are moving out of the area so they can't keep the phone number.
• We are not currently BT customers, because in our past experience their customer service has been awful, their products expensive and their contracts too long. If the only way to keep the fibre connection is to continue with BT then we would sacrifice all of that, but my fear is that if I just call BT then the customer service representative will tell me......of course you'll keep the fibre connection (because most of them don't understand what they are selling), they'll sign me up for 18months and then when it comes to moving in we will lose the connection, join the back of the queue and be stuck on an ADSL line with BT for 18 months.

The_Fat_Controller

Just ask the current owner to agree to transfer the contract to your name, the service should remain as it is.

ConfusedOfDevon

We are just buying the house as per a normal property purchase, we are not buying the business as such. Although it has operated as a very successful B&B in the past they have not been taking bookings this year (for their own personal reasons) - all of the signage etc remains in place, albeit with a no vacancies sign displayed.
Any way, I guess the point is we want to take over a residential line with fibre broadband and not drop down to ADSL because that wouldn't work for us personally or for the future B&B customers.

brewerdave

The_Fat_Controller wrote: »

Just ask the current owner to agree to transfer the contract to your name, the service should remain as it is.

If its a residential contract ,can't be done.