Home phone Guides

How to get a free phone line

Updated: Wednesday 18 January, 2012

By Anthony Hill - anthony.hill@consumerchoices.co.uk

Need to get a new landline but want to avoid the hefty installation fees charged by home phone providers? We show you how to shop around and get a new line without breaking the bank.

In most instances, getting a new landline installed or an old line reconnected will cost you. Prices can vary to as much as £130. However there are ways to reduce these costs, and even ways to get a free phone line.

If you’re looking for the best landline installation package, compare prices using the table below and then read our guide on how to get a cheap or free phone line deal.

Free phone line deals

	Free installation	28 Day Guarantee
Call TalkTalk 0800 049 7834 Go	Call BT now 0800 028 4474 Go	Call Virgin Media 0808 189 0508 Go	Call Sky now 0844 241 0582 Go	Call Primus now 0800 036 0170 Go
FREE connection	£0 with any calls & Broadband package	£0 with Calls Broadband + TV £40 otherwise	£10 connection charge	£59 connection charge
Set-up usually within 7 & 10 days for a new line installation. If switching from Virgin, you can keep your line until your new line has been activated *	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 normally between 14 and 28 days for connetion or new line*	Setup between 12 - 14 days normally for a new line installation *
Go Call TalkTalk now 0800 049 7834	Go Call BT now 0800 028 4474	Go Call Virgin Media 0808 189 0508	Go Call Sky now 0844 241 0582	Go Call Primus now 0800 036 0170

* 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.

Getting a free phone line

Most home phone providers now offer line installation and reconnection. However, in most cases, providers will charge for this service. Prices vary from provider to provider, for example while Primus charges £59, the Post Office (www.postoffice.co.uk) charges £112.34.

It is possible to get a line installed for a discounted price, or in some instances free though. To sign-up for a cheap landline installation deal, follow these top tips:

1. Always compare installation prices online - Use a reputable, Ofcom-accredited price comparison service, such as Homephonechoices.co.uk, to find a cheap deal that’s available in your area
2. Factor in line rental and calls - Because most providers will make you sign a 12 or 18-month contract for a line rental and calls package when you apply for a new line installation, it is important you factor in these costs as well. While installation with Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) is free if you take its TV and/or phone services, Primus charges £59 for line installation. However you could save more in the long term by signing up for its Primus Home Phone Saver deal, which currently has the UK’s cheapest standalone line rental, and is a saving of £4.25 a month compared to Virgin Media’s line rental
3. Consider bundling your broadband and phone line - Providers that offer “free” phone line deals almost always make you sign-up for a bundled package. Like Virgin Media, BT (www.bt.com) currently offers free line installation if you subscribe for a calls package and one of its broadband packages.

Reconnecting an old line

If there is already a phone line in your home, but it needs reconnecting or reactivating, you should shop around for the best deal and see if any providers are currently offering free connection. Also, some providers will reconnect you for free.

You might 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 currently £130, however this is subject to a survey by a BT engineer and may be less. And if you sign-up to a bundled package you could get reconnected for just £30.

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.

How to get a new line installed

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