Telephone line reconnection

I'm hoping someone can help me!

We're moving into a new house fairly soon. There's a BT phone line there, but it hasn't been active for 3-4 years. So we know we need to reconnect it.

My question is, do BT have to be the ones to reconnect? I think there are some other firms out there who'll do it for less, but I wondered if we're tied into using BT since it's a BT line.

I know we can use other providers for line rental, phone plans, etc., so this question is really just about the line reconnection.

Thanks!

Yes, I think that is the case. The line leading up to the house is BT's responsibility (once it's inside, I'm uncertain). We had a live line and a dead line leading into the house, and we wanted to swap them around. I believe the BT tech was able to do that remotely.

If you call the company that you're interested in using for your phone company, they should help to organize this. Just tell them what you have in there now and they'll tell you if you need to call BT. If you're not interested in using BT I wouldn't call them first because there is a good chance they'll tell you you need to use them blah blah. Sorry, but getting a phone line in the UK/Ireland is a ridiculous process! Good luck! 

If you're not interested in using BT I wouldn't call them first because there is a good chance they'll tell you you need to use them blah blah.

This is exactly what I assumed would happen, which is why I'm trying to do some research ahead of time! But phoning another company does sound like a good idea.

Thanks, both of you! 

My question is, do BT have to be the ones to reconnect?

No, not any more.   

In a deal with the telecoms regulator Ofcom, BT created the separate Openreach division in 2006, to which all responsibility for outside lines was transferred.   Although a subsidiary of BT, Openreach is obliged to install and maintain outside line plant on the same terms to all service providers, including BT itself (the charges are actually set by Ofcom). 

Any of the alternate providers can, therefore, arrange to have a new line installed (or an old line reconnected) for you via Openreach.  Some offer this service, others still insist that you must have an operating line with BT first, but that's entirely that provider's specific policy.   

It's worth making inquiries to all the providers you might consider and to see if they'll "do a deal" on installation fees.  These days many of these charges are open to adjustment if you agree to a longer minimum contract period, subscribe to extra services, etc.

The line leading up to the house is BT's responsibility (once it's inside, I'm uncertain).

BT/Openreach's responsibility ends at the NTE5 where the outside line first terminates inside the house.  The NTE5 is the unit used on all new installs which has a removable panel to give you access to a test jack, like this:



Extension wiring from there to any extra jacks around the house is your responsibility. 
Openreach will install extra jacks for you, but you'll find it much cheaper to find a local telecoms engineer to do it, if you don't feel able to do it yourself.

Thanks, Paul! 

Again, thanks to everyone who offered advice. It turns out that the old phone line is still connected at our new house, so we didn't need to pay anyone for reconnection. Yippee!

But in my research, I came across this bit of information on Money Saving Expert that might be useful to people. If you need to either connect or reconnect a phone line, you can get BT to do it for free. When you phone, ask for the Customer Options Team, then tell them you'd like to know about the free line connection offer. It means you have to commit to an 18-month contract with BT and also that you must make 10 phone calls per month, but it's a good deal. It also includes free weekend calls to UK landlines.

It also includes free weekend calls to UK landlines.

That's standard on the base BT package now, regardless of any connection deals.