Barbara wrote on Aug 13
th, 2010 at 9:06pm:
… There are phone sockets in the property but neither the letting agent nor the landlord has any idea as to whether the landline is still connected, who it might be with or what the phone number might be. Basically, their priority is to have a broadband connection (no cable available) so this would have to be through a landline. They rang BT who said the line was not live and that they (BT) would charge £127+ to connect it! …
It is feasible that the line is still connected to the exchange and they are airing on the side of caution by advising that there will be a charge. The charge is for physically connecting the wires to the exchange. What is the position if it is connected, but to a LLU provider they don't wish to subscribe to? I do fear that a charge may ensue; can someone clarify?
The reason for lines getting disconnected is because there are not telephone wires coming from the exchange to the local area (a number of streets), an unused line may get disconnected in order re-connect another line which is to be brought back into service.
If your son's has been disconnected, then that's because someone else's was disconnected and your son's pair was used to re-connect that other line. It's like robbing Peter to pay Paul and in each instance, an engineer must come out and do some work, which is why there is a charge. Furthermore, this perhaps helps explain the 12 month contracts as they don't want to have an engineer to re-connect it, then for the subscriber to cancel the service after a month or so.
As a campaigner for fair telecoms, I think this is totally crazy! Many are now paying these charges, or to look at it another way, some are not having a landline as a result and consequently the cost of telephoning them on a mobile is higher.
Barbara wrote on Aug 13
th, 2010 at 9:06pm:
… Virgin would lay a fibre optic cable (but would the landlord be happy with the garden being excavated when there are even restrictions over picture hooks on the wall?) and, again, have a long contract and seemed quite expensive. …
I believe (perhaps someone can clarify) that Virgin Media don't charge for being connected to its cable network, thus the cost of the engineer installing the fibre has to be recouped through normal service charges and consequently there is probably a minimum term contract.
Barbara wrote on Aug 13
th, 2010 at 9:06pm:
… BT's attitude seems absolutely outrageous particularly as it involves a minimum 12 month contract which my son might have to break after six months not through his own fault (he cannot be the only one is this position so how much are BT & other providers making out of this sort of unreasonable charge?) …
BT is not a charity, thus it stands to reason that it will endeavour to recoup its costs.
In answer to your question, any work is done by Openreach (part of BT) as it owns the street wiring. It charges BT Retail (the part of BT that sells lines and calls to subscribers) or the other provider for doing so. Its charges are published on its price list.
If I understand it correctly,
this page says that the current charge for a new line is now £55.74 exc VAT, having dropped just over £30 in the last year. Perhaps this will help spark a reduction in the amounts that telephone providers charge end subscribers.
Barbara wrote on Aug 13
th, 2010 at 9:06pm:
… His girlfriend is with o2 for mobile and was quite happy to go with o2 broadband but of course they need a landline. o2 suggested they use Google to find a landline provider & suggested the Post Office but they charge £110! Primus charge £69. Some of the providers say there may not be a charge if the line is in place but surely they must charge if you don't then take their service & Primus dont seem to provide broadband. …
Primus seems nearer the mark with respect to the price Openreach charges. However, does Primus always charge this, even where Openreach does not levy this charge because the line is still connected to the exchange?