Home phone Guides

BT phone line connection

Updated: Monday 23 August, 2010

By Garnet Roach - garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

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Choosing a BT landline could get you calls, broadband and even a digital TV package. But if you don’t have an active landline in your home, you'll have to get one connected by BT - find out how below...

Free installation		Fastest setup
Call BT now 0800 028 4474	Find out more VirginMedia.com	Call Primus now 0800 036 0170	Call TalkTalk now 0800 049 7834	Call BT now 0800 028 4474
£0 with any Calls & Broadband package	£0 with Calls Broadband + TV £35 otherwise	£69 connection charge	£69.99 connection charge	£29.99 BT connection charge (usually £127.99)
Setup within 4 working days for a connection, and up to 16 working days for new line installations *	Setup usually within 2 weeks. Plus you can normally keep your number. Virgin Media also offers a 28 day money back guarantee *	Setup between 3 and 5 days normally *	Setup within 20 days for new line installations. If you are switching from Virgin Media, you can keep this line until your new one has been installed *	Setup within 4 working days for a connection, and up to 16 working days for new line installations *
Call BT now 0800 028 4474	Find out more VirginMedia.com	Call Primus now 0800 036 0170	Call TalkTalk now 0800 049 7834	Call BT now 0800 028 4474

* All providers allow you to select a convenient appointment on a suitable date when you place your order online. However, line setup times will typically depend on the availability of an engineer, and other factors, such as the number of concurrent line installations in your area.

BT line connection costs

The standard BT connection charge is £29.99, though there are ways around this fee.

If you’ve had a telephone service from BT (www.bt.com) in the recent past, and the wiring and socket is undamaged and the line still has a dial tone, you could have your line activated for free.

BT also offers no-cost landline connections for any new customers signing up to one of its bundles, including a call plan.

However, if you don’t have a suitable BT line in your property, or there's no dial tone on the line - or if you’ve been disconnected for non-payment - you could be charged the standard £29.99 fee.

What packages are available?

BT offers a choice of home phone packages, as well as broadband and digital TV in the form of its BT Vision service.

Choose from one of three call plans: inclusive weekend calls, evening and weekend calls or the anytime plan, which allows you to talk as much as you want for a set monthly fee.

If you take one of its bundles, including a call plan, you'll be able to have your line connected without a charge.

BT landlines are also subject to £12.79 a month line rental.

How long does it take to get connected?

If you don’t already have a suitable line in your home, it could take up to 16 working days to get connected - BT will contact you in order to arrange a suitable installation date.

If you just need to have an existing line reactivated, BT will be able to do this in around four days.

What are the alternatives to a BT phone connection?

Other providers do offer landline installation, including TalkTalk (www.talktalk.co.uk), Plusnet (www.plus.net) and Sky (www.sky.com).

You can also get a line from Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) for home phone calls, as well as broadband digital TV and other services, if you live in a cable area.

When choosing your landline provider, make sure that you take line rental and call costs into account - not just the one-off fee that you'll have to pay to get connected. And remember that you'll have to sign a contract for at least 12 months when you get a new line connected.

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