Will switching to Primus affect my broadband?

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Our expert says...

Dear Derek, good for you that you’re switching to save money on your phone bills by signing up to our exclusive line rental deal - Primus Home Phone Saver for £8.99 a month.

If you’re on a standard telephone package, switching your phone from one provider to another should not affect your broadband, though in some cases it might. If you are worried though, it's important you check with your broadband provider directly. Below are details on when changing to Primus may affect your broadband:

Switching from BT, the Post Office or other providers

If your broadband is provided by BT (www.bt.com), switching your phone service to Primus will not affect your broadband - you’ll still get the exact same speeds and download allowance.

Similarly, if you have your broadband with a provider that uses a BT phone line, such as O2 or the Post Office (www.postoffice.co.uk), your connection will not be affected by the switch. Because Primus offers its phone service down the BT line, you will be able to keep you’re current number when you will switch, and there will not be a break in your service.

Beware if your line rental and calls are part of a bundled package with your broadband though. For example, the Post Office’s Home Phone with Broadband Standard deal costs £20.95 a month for everything, but if you switch to Primus, it may mean you’ll end up paying more for your broadband as an additional standalone.

You should read the terms and conditions of your contract too, as you may find that if you switch your phone service, you may be hit with a cancellation fee or contract termination charge.

Switching from TalkTalk, Sky or Tiscali

If your phone service is currently provided by either TalkTalk (www.talktalk.co.uk), Sky (www.sky.com) or Tiscali (which is now part of the TalkTalk group), you will have to take some extra steps to switch your line rental or calls to Primus. All three of these suppliers offer their phone services on their own networks, which are separate from BT’s network. This is called local loop unbundling (LLU), and means that, while you physically will still have a BT copper wire phone line in your home, BT no longer owns the line.

In order to switch your home phone service to Primus, you will need an active BT phone line. There are several options for getting a line installed:

1. BT - Contact BT directly on 0800 028 4474 to get your phone line reconnected or installed. There may be a charge for this, of up to £127.99, though it is sometimes possible to get reconnected for free.
2. Primus - Primus also offers line reconnection and installation. Contact Primus directly on 0800 036 0170 to get your phone line reconnected or installed. There may be a charge for this, of up to £69, though it is sometimes possible to get reconnected for free.
3. Another home phone provider - There are other providers, such as the Post Office and Direct Save Telecom that also offer line installation. Read our guide to line installation options to find out about providers and costs.

Switching from Virgin Media

Households with a cable phone line from Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) will not be able to switch to Primus. Like customers currently with TalkTalk, Sky or Tiscali, Virgin Media home phone customers will need to get a BT line installed or reconnected at their property.

Read our guide to line installation options for more information and prices.

Switching from the BT Light User scheme

If you are on the BT Light User Scheme or have a BT Basic package, you’ll be unable to switch to Primus straightaway. You will need to ring BT directly on 0800 800 150 and arrange to be removed from the BT Light User Scheme.

Once you have confirmation that BT has removed you from the Light User Scheme, you will be able to proceed with your switch. For more information, read our guide on switching from the BT Light User Scheme.

I hope this helps answer your question about switching to Primus Derek - have a read of our Primus sign-up FAQs for more information on the Primus Saver service.

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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