Problem with BT landline; caller hears it ringing but nothing this end (no dial tone)

Bob63

whitewing wrote: »

We unscrewed the box, like we were told to do and plugged our phone - not the microfilter cable - directly into the test socket, and it still doesn't work.

Try another phone in the test socket? That way you can be absolutely certain it isn't an equipment fault. I just saved my neighbours £100 by doing just that. They were able to cancel the BT Engineer call as I proved it was their phone that was faulty. All it cost them was a new phone and a bottle of wine :beer:

hc25036

I had a similar problem which was eventually tracked down to an extension cable that had a short circuit. The BT engineer tested my master socket, said "you've got a problem with an extension somewhere" and walked out, leaving a bill for £99. Have a good look around for damaged cables (especially if you have any that run outside the house) before booking BT.

TAG

I had a similar problem 2 or 3 weeks ago. I find it ludicrous that BT charge £99 plus VAT call out charge and then £99 per hour or part of plus VAT.

I tried 3 different phones in the test socket none of which worked. But it still leaves you wondering if you dare to put yourself at the mercy of BT's extortionate fees by requesting an engineer.

DH was so hacked off with the whole saga that we voted with our feet and switched to Virgin. Touch wood all is ok with them at the moment.

whitewing

The engineer has been out this morning - one of life's magical people that makes the world a better place.

He eventually tracked the fault to the top of the BT pole where something had corroded, so I'm all fixed and it didn't cost me. Still a worry that there was a prospect of being charged though.

Poppy9

Check your bill though as BT "charged" me for an engineer's visit even though he didn't find any fault with my equipment. Took 2 emails before they removed the charge.

whitewing

Very good advice, poppy. I'll make a note to do that.