Home phone Guides

Phone line connection options

Updated: Monday 16 January, 2012

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

If you’ve just moved into a new house, or if you need an extra line installed, getting a new phone line is usually a straightforward process, but it can be costly. Find out more in our guide to connection options...

	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.

Read our guide to find out more about getting a new phone line, the installation options and what’s available for those on a minimal budget.

Phone line connection options

Before you get a new phone line installed, you will need to choose whether you want a BT (copper wire) phone line, or a (fibre optic) cable line. There two main phone line suppliers in the UK are BT and Virgin Media. These are the companies that supply the physical workings of your phone line (connecting your property to the phone system), but you can pay for your calls and even BT line rental through a wide variety of other home phone providers.

Below is a table showing all the options for calls and line rental with BT:

Below is a table showing all the options for calls and line rental with Virgin Media:

Alternatively, you can choose an internet phone supplier like Vonage. In this case, you will have to have a broadband line installed by Virgin Media, but you can avoid paying a line rental charge by not having a phone line and making all your calls via the internet. Read our guide for more information on making internet calls.

Phone line connection charges

You could face a connection charge if you need a new phone line installed, or your existing line is damaged. The charge may also apply to reconnect an existing line.

BT line connection charge is £130. However, most people find they don't need to pay it. It's always a good idea to speak to a BT engineer first to see whether or not the charge will apply to your property. Call BT on 0800 028 4474 to find out.

If it does, you can get the installation fee waived if you sign-up to one of BT's broadband, calls and TV packages online. Visit www.bt.com for more information.

If you decide to get a cable landline from Virgin Media, installation of a new line is up to £40, depending on the number of services you sign-up for. If you take up the company’s triple-play bundle deal, line installation is free. Read our guide for more about the benefits of bundling your services.

Other phone providers also offer line installation; for more information, check our guide on line installation options.