I've just moved into a property that has a de-activated BT line (i.e. no dial tone). What I want to do is use Talk Talk for my landline service and when I spoke to CPW, they confirmed that it was indeed a dead BT line and I'd have to get them to re-activate it. So I called up BT and had one of the weirdest conversations of my life. I explained to the BT CSR that all I wanted was to get the line re-activated; I don't actually want BT as my LSP, but whether she didn't or wouldn't understand what I was saying, she carried on the conversation as if I was signing up to BT. Whenever I clarified exactly what I wanted to do, she said 'yes, I understand' and continued from where she left off, asking for bank details and bill dates etc and a three month minimum term. Now maybe all that is correct, and I have to pay three months line rental to BT even if I'm with CPW, (in which case she was probably getting pissed off with me) but as I can't be sure she knew what I was getting at, I ended the call without anything being done.

Before I try again and hope I don't get the same CSR, can anyone confirm how this is done? All I want is for BT to re-activate the line in my property. I have no intention of using them. How much does the re-activation cost, and is there a minimum contract even if I'm not using them? Any advice greatly appreciated.

You still have to pay line rental to BT, they own the line up to and including the master socket where the line comes in, if anything goes wrong with the line they will come out and fix it without any additional charges.

Think thats right anyway

IF the premises previously had a BT landline, BT will normally reconnect you free of charege. You will have to agree to a 3 month contract (i.e. continue to pay BT for LINE RENTAL for 3 months - although your calls can be via a CPS or prefix-dial provider[s]). However, I believe that you can 'buy yourself out' of that requirement (sorry, don't know the cost).

If the premises has not previously had a BT landline, BT's standard connection charge is £124.99 and you will have to agree to a 12 month contract (i.e. continue to pay BT for LINE RENTAL for 12 months - although your calls can be via a CPS or prefix-dial provider[s]).

Are you sure you want to go for the Talk Talk (Carphone Warehouse) offering? Have a read of some MSE and ADSL Guide offerings before you decide:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...&postcount=239

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...&postcount=237

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...&postcount=222

http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist...apsed&sb=5&o=0

Have you taken into account that, if you move your line rental from BT, you will lost the ability to use a CPS provider and may also lose the freedom to use prefix-dial providers (like 1899, 18185 and 18866) for cheaper calls?

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...74&postcount=4
Last edited by Heinz : 24-07-2006 at 19:57

Many thanks for the help guys. It sounds like the BT CSR was telling me the correct things, just not in a convincing way.
Thanks for the links Heinz, I'll take a look at them.

Word of warning - do not even consider TalkTalk.

Yeah I agree, don't go near TalkTalk I've had very bad experiences with them in the past.

Btw... AFAIK the buy-out from BT's contract is only £18, so you should be ok... although this was the charge about 2 years ago... I'm not sure if its increased, we were in a 12 month contract so it might be cheaper for a 3 month one.

Hope this helps,

David

3 month minimum term..

if you cancel within the first 2 months (which i assume you will) the charge will be £13, if you wait and cancel after this then the charge is only £8.00

Do you have a source for this?

I was told this before then had to pay more when I cancelled (three months of line rental). I thought perhaps I had misheard £30 as £13 pounds...?

Ive been with talktalk for nearly 1 year and so have 3 of my family members for both line rental and calls and not had 1 problem great been able to call each other whenever u want for free

If you have signed up to a half price line rental offer then you would be held to term, or if the line was new it would be a £18.00 cancellation fee but other that that, £13.00 is correct.. definatly not 3 months line rental.

cant find it on the website anywhere, but i work for bt and its def correct

That isn't correct.

On a 3 month contact it is £13 if you cancel within the first month, £8 if you cancel within the secong month and 1 weeks line rental if you cancel in the third month.

If anyone can find a source for the cancellation charge I would greatly appreciate it.

Ta ta

Have a look at www.serviceview.bt.com.

It might be a bit of a trawl but it will be in there somewhere.