BT landline question

[Shinobi]

Sorry, don't know where else to post this...

I'm moving into a new flat soon and it already has a land-line installed. I want to go with TalkTalk's full package and I called them up to see what the crack is.

TalkTalk said I have to call BT to activate the line.

I called BT and explained. They said they would activate the line for a fee (they didn't say how much) and then said that I would be tied to BT for a year before I could transfer to another provider! Surely if they are charging me a fee to activate the line, they can't ask me to forcibly sign a contract with them, can they? Is BT trying to rip me off?

Thanks

[blaggard]

Pretty standard contract for a telephone service, same with cable companies. If there is an existing line to the house you should get away with no or little installation unless they have to visit. I does seem a bit strong having to sign a years contract in this day and age but that's what lack of compettion allows for.
Talk talk?? you're kidding right?

[N3R0]

whats wrong with talk talk?

[Shinobi]

Need talk talk in order to keep the budget down...

[blaggard]

A free kick in the bollocks is still a kick in the bollocks, PLEASE find another way of keeping costs down. You'll be tied to a long contract with free internet providers, at least try to find one with a better reputation than Talk Talk (if there IS one)

[N3R0]

er.. i don't use talk talk for broadband, i use f2s for that. talk talk is purely for cheap calls!

[blaggard]

Yes but that's not what this thread is about, it was started by shinobi who wants a complete package (that's who my replies were aimed at) and even for cheap calls you'd be better off with a VOIP solution like VOIPCHEAP

[N3R0]

Either way, you still have to pay line rental,which is cheaper with talktalk than BT!

[blaggard]

Lets see, i think it was 9 euros for 3 months free calls.with Voipcheap

[N3R0]

+line rental

[blaggard]

I don't need a landline for VOIP? it's on my cable BB connection!!
Any way the main point is that the landline will be on the BT network anyway, the ADSL provider is a whole different thing, Talk Talk are about the worst.

[trueblue924]

just thought i would say something on this i work for bt selling there broadband when you take out a line there is a tweleve month contract on all lines taken out but you can change to talk talk without any charge normally a line with bt is free to connect it depends on what it says on the system at bt if the line has been active in the last three months it is usually free and can be connected stright away if not they need to arrange for an engineer to go to the exchange and turn the line on when this happens it is usually free unless any work needs to be done on the line and if there does the most it will cost 124.99 which is rather steep i think but what can you do if you havent got a bt box in your home then there is a definate 124.99 connection fee when you get your line with bt it takes talk talk ten working days to take over hope this helps you mate if there is anything else to do with bt just ask and iwill do my best to help

[Freddy]

Fuck me did you stop for air whilst typing that

Good to know you work there

[trueblue924]

only once mate

[blaggard]

I can only repeat, whatever you do for your telephone line DON'T use Talk Talk for BB