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How do I switch from Virgin Media to BT home phone?

Our expert says...

Switching between one provider and another is usually a seamless process that you'll barely even notice, since most suppliers use the same copper wire connections.

But because Virgin Media uses a different technology - cable - it can be a little more complicated. Don’t let that put you off though; switching home phone provider can save you over £100 as well as getting you a new deal better suited to your needs.

Switching from Virgin Media

As a Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) cable phone customer, you might need to have a completely new copper landline installed.

Installing a new landline

All new BT (www.bt.com) landlines come with a calls package - so you can simply choose the service that best suits your needs.

As a home phone only customer, you’ll have to pay to have your new line installed. BT’s usual charge if you're only taking its home phone service is £30, but there are exceptions where you might have to pay the full £130 fee:

• If you have an existing line that needs additional work, for example if the wiring or socket is damaged
• No suitable BT line is available in your property or there is damage to the existing socket/wiring
• If you have been disconnected for non-payment in the past

BT will let you know how much you will have to pay to have your line installed when you make your order. Once you have made your order, it will take around 14 days to have your new line installed.

You will also have to commit to an 18-month contract if you have a new line installed for £30.

Keeping your phone number

Because the two providers use completely different technology, it is not always possible to keep your existing phone number when you switch.

BT advises that you let them know if you want to keep your number as soon as possible.

Evening and weekend calls

BT’s Evening & Weekend Calls plan costs £3.15 a month on top of your monthly line rental. This gives you unlimited UK landline calls from 7pm to 7am, and all weekend. You will have to hang up after an hour to avoid being charged, but you are able to redial the same number straight away and carry on talking for free.

Your inclusive calls also include those made to 0845 and 0870 numbers at evenings and weekends, as well three free calling features.

Outside of your inclusive minutes, you'll pay 7.95p per minute for any daytime calls.

Customers with an existing BT line can add this package on a rolling monthly basis, but if as in your case you need to have a new line installed, you will have to sign a 12-month calling plan contract.

BT line rental

Standard BT line rental will set you back £14.60 a month if you pay by direct debit. You can also sign-up to BT’s BT Line Rental Saver service if you're happy to pay a whole year’s costs up front. While this is a lot of money to pay out in one go, it will cut the cost of your line rental to just £10 a month.

However, if you take advantage of BT’s £30 installation offer to get a new landline, you won’t be able to take the cheaper Line Rental Saver option and will have to pay the full monthly cost.

BT alternatives

Even if you want to switch away from Virgin Media and back to the “BT network”, this doesn’t mean you have to actually sign-up to BT itself.

Other providers offer far more competitive rates, and you can even cut your line rental to as little as £6.29 a month with Primus Saver.

You should also consider what time your free evening calls start each day.

While many providers followed BT’s lead in switching from 6pm to 7pm, there are alternatives - including Virgin Media, which still runs its free evening calls from 6pm. Primus also offers 6pm to 6am calls, while Auracall offers a 14-hour window for free calls from 6pm to 8am.

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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