How to find out phone line?

superscaper

I'm trying to help a friend who's recently moved into a new rented place and there's a phone socket with a dial tone but can't phone out. What's the best way of finding out who the phone line is with? Basically to get it reactivated/reconnected or whatever.

Just to pre empt some suggestions: Landlord doesn't know, BT say they have no record of the address even existing and have no other info to give at all so no help there. It's an old address, not a new build.

I'm trying to help "remotely" so I haven't seen the phone socket or have access to it etc.

firespire

Does the line allow calls to BT by dialling 150 or 151?

superscaper

firespire wrote: »

Does the line allow calls to BT by dialling 150 or 151?

I'll get back to you on that

Heinz

Tell him/her to dial 17070.

If it's a BT line, he/she'll get an automated, "This circuit is identified as ...." message. Tell him/her to make a note of the number and then call BT back.

Quentin

If you get the number from 17070, then you don't have to use BT. (If you do, then you will be subject to their minimum contract).

You can get it switched on by your chosen supplier (eg post office or the phone co-op).

superscaper

150: didn't work
17070: Gave three options, quick line check, rapid check or clear down, none of which gave anything.

I've got a list of her local providers and getting her to start contacting them (starting with talktalk) to see if the line is with them.

hammy_the_hammer

superscaper wrote: »

150: didn't work
17070: Gave three options, quick line check, rapid check or clear down, none of which gave anything.

I've got a list of her local providers and getting her to start contacting them (starting with talktalk) to see if the line is with them.

try 147017070

Diamond78

Hi,
I was having same problem and still am. I am moving into my new property tomorrow. There is a bt phone socket and I put the phone in but there was no dialing tone. I rang bt from the place I am now as I am a virginmedia customer and do not wish to go with them again as had a lot of problems.
BT told me the house I am moving to had no connection even though I stated there was a BT box. He told me I would have to pay the £124 something to get connected which I can not afford. I am having sky connected friday and I have had to pay £25 due to not having a landline. I really want a landline as I want to get my broadband sorted out. Can anyone help as to why they think BT would charge me that when there is a BT box? Apart from virgin can i go with another company where a BT line isnt needed?Thanks,

normanmark

You have no dialing tone. Which means that between the property & the exchange the line isn't connected. So the work carried out will need to either connect or re-activate the line.

Diamond78

normanmark wrote: »

You have no dialing tone. Which means that between the property & the exchange the line isn't connected. So the work carried out will need to either connect or re-activate the line.

Ok-Thank you. So that means I would have to pay the £124 which I dont have. do you know any other company then apart from virgin that doesnt charge so high to have a landline connected?Thanks

normanmark

Diamond78 wrote: »

Ok-Thank you. So that means I would have to pay the £124 which I dont have. do you know any other company then apart from virgin that doesnt charge so high to have a landline connected?Thanks

Whatever company you chose to connect the line will get charged £88 inc VAT from the wholesale operator Openreach. Now most providers will charge more for their own profit margins & cost for administrating this (staff, systems etc). The cheapest you'll find is around £110.

I do recall BT offering half price line installation if you take up an 18 month contract with them.

A word of warning though, whilst you might look for a company that charge less for installation it might cost you more in the long run through higher line rental/call charges.