Switching to a BT phone line from Virgin Media

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Our expert says...

Hi Mohamad, thanks for your question about switching your home phone from Virgin Media to BT.

Firstly it’s important to understand the difference between the two suppliers: Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) runs it’s services through a cable network, while BT (www.bt.com) uses the existing standard phone line system.

The whole process of switching your landline from a cable supplier to a standard supplier is really simple, and it shouldn’t take more then 21 days. Here’s my advice on switching, to guarantee everything runs smoothly:

Switching to a BT phone line

If you are currently a cable customer, switching back to BT is easy and can be done either online or over the phone. To come back to BT you will either have to reconnect an old BT phone line, or have one installed if your home doesn’t have one. All phone lines from BT come with a call package - just choose the one you want from the table below:

You will have to sign-up to at least a 12-month contract, so it is worth shopping around to find the best deal.

BT says that in most cases new customers won’t need to pay a connection charge if there is already an active BT line to their homes. However, if an engineer has to visit your home BT may charge you a connection fee; these costs are outlined below.

Reconnecting a BT phone line

You may NOT have to pay a connection fee in any of the following instances:

• If you've had a telephone service from BT in the recent past
• If the wiring and socket are undamaged
• If there is still a dialling tone.

BT adds that the "recent past" will depend on how much demand there is on your local exchange and how quickly an unused line may have been given to someone else.

You may have to pay a connection fee in any of the following instances:

• If there’s no suitable BT line at your home
• If there’s no dialling tone
• If you have been previously disconnected for non-payment

The standard charge to connect a BT phone line is £130, however this is subject to survey by a BT engineer and may be less.

The connection charge covers engineering work at your local exchange or at your home in order to connect the line. If the charge does apply it will be added to your first BT bill. If you want to reconnect your line call, BT on 0800 028 4474.

Installing a BT phone line

If your house doesn’t have an existing BT phone line you will need to have one installed. If you want to get your line installed by BT then call 0800 028 4474.

BT currently charges £130 for line installation, but again this charge is subject to the amount of work that needs to be done by the phone engineers though, so could be less.

Other phone line options

If you need a new line installed it doesn’t necessarily have to be done by BT, and you may find that if you are going to take a calls package from another supplier, it may offer to install the new line for slightly less than BT.

Phone line installation options >>>

However, while phone line installation may be a bit cheaper with another supplier, in the long run the company’s call plans may work out more expensive. You should compare home phone options and calculate how much it’ll cost you over the 12-month contract before signing up to a new package.

Also, it’s important to point out that for some new build properties which may have a white BT socket installed, this may not necessarily have been connected, in which case the standard charge of £130 to connect your phone line will apply.

Hope this gives you a bit more information, and helps you make the switch from Virgin Media to BT Mohamad!

Ask us a question

If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at ourexpert@homephonechoices.co.uk

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