Moving House - Too expensive to connect IDNet again?

Nutter · Sep 23, 2011, 15:59:54

I'm moving house shortly, and I had planned to use IDNet at the new property (different exchange). At the moment I have a BT line and IDNet Home Lite (ADSL Max). I was planning to go with both the line and Broadband Home Lite from IDNet at the new house.

However, I've discovered that IDNet will charge me £160.34 for installation

, plus the £28.58 per month. I've always been prepared to pay more per month for IDNet because I've found the service and speed to be much better than others. However, if I were to go with a BT line and broadband all connection would be completely free of charge, and I'd be paying £16 per month for an equivalent package (plus 3 months free, plus a £25 voucher). That's a huge saving over IDNet, and I'm struggling to see how I can justify getting IDNet at the new property, especially considering the large installation fee.

Any advice?

Nutter · Sep 23, 2011, 16:14:21

Whoops, make that £26.90 per month with BT for line rental and broadband. Still no installation fees at all though, vs £160.34 for IDNet. I really want to stay with IDNet, but I can't see how to justify it.

Simon · Sep 23, 2011, 16:32:51

Is that for IDNet install a line?

Nutter · Sep 23, 2011, 16:37:24

I asked IDNet to have both the line rental and broadband with them at the new place, and they said it will be £48 for the broadband install and £112.34 for the line. There's already a line there, so I assume it's the charge to take over the connection.

Simon · Sep 23, 2011, 16:41:41

That doesn't sound right - I'll check.

.Griff. · Sep 23, 2011, 16:43:35

Is the line in the new property active Nutter?

The £112 charge you were quoted is to install a new line, not a connection charge.

Nutter · Sep 23, 2011, 16:45:50

Yes, there's already an active line that the current owners use. I didn't ask for a new one, just for the line rental to be through IDNet.

.Griff. · Sep 23, 2011, 16:46:47

Quote from: Nutter on Sep 23, 2011, 16:45:50
Yes, there's already an active line that the current owners use. I didn't ask for a new one, just for the line rental to be through IDNet.

Sounds like Idnet have quoted you the wrong price then. I'm sure Simon will check and confirm.

Simon · Sep 23, 2011, 16:47:52

I've just checked, and been told that the line that's at the property isn't connected, so the £112.34 is what BT would charge IDNet for them to have the line re-connected for you. They have to charge it to you, as there's no other way IDNet can recoup the charge from BT. The free connection with BT does sounds like the better option, as long as you bear in mind that they will tie you into a 12 month contract.

.Griff. · Sep 23, 2011, 16:49:38

Quote from: Simon on Sep 23, 2011, 16:47:52
I've just checked, and been told that the line that's at the property isn't connected,

Quote from: Nutter on Sep 23, 2011, 16:45:50
Yes, there's already an active line that the current owners use.

Simon · Sep 23, 2011, 16:51:01

Maybe the current owners had it disconnected before they moved out?

.Griff. · Sep 23, 2011, 16:52:18

Quote from: Simon on Sep 23, 2011, 16:51:01

Maybe the current owners had it disconnected before they moved out?

Or BT have their records wrong.. Nah can't be that. BT never get anything wrong

Simon · Sep 23, 2011, 16:53:33

I'm just relaying the answer I got from IDNet, but I assume they have some means of checking if a line is active themselves?

Lance · Sep 23, 2011, 16:57:06

Maybe go phone with BT and internet with Idnet, then move the phone at the end of the contract?

Nutter · Sep 23, 2011, 17:00:38

Very odd. The current owners are still there and pay the line rental to Sky Talk.

Quote from: Lance on Sep 23, 2011, 16:57:06
Maybe go phone with BT and internet with Idnet, then move the phone at the end of the contract?

That sounds like a good option. I turned down the offer of discounted line rental from BT to keep me as a customer at the new address, so I'll give them a call back and see I can still get it!

pctech · Sep 23, 2011, 17:04:59

That might be why.

I am not sure whether Sky also provide voice service via their exchange kit but if they do an engineer would have to be dispatched to physically move the wire back to BT's distribution frame, hence the charge.

Nutter · Sep 23, 2011, 17:07:52

Quote from: pctech on Sep 23, 2011, 17:04:59
That might be why.

I am not sure whether Sky also provide voice service via their exchange kit but if they do an engineer would have to be dispatched to physically move the wire back to BT's distribution frame, hence the charge.

I think only Orange have an LLU presence in that exchange, so presumably Sky Talk still use all BT's equipment.

Another query then - if I ask BT for the line to be switched back to them, do I also need to ask for that reference number that allows IDNet to connect broadband at the same time? And if so, what's the proper term for that reference number?

Simon · Sep 23, 2011, 17:09:13

Quote from: Nutter on Sep 23, 2011, 17:00:38
Very odd. The current owners are still there and pay the line rental to Sky Talk.

Quote from: pctech on Sep 23, 2011, 17:04:59
That might be why.

I am not sure whether Sky also provide voice service via their exchange kit but if they do an engineer would have to be dispatched to physically move the wire back to BT's distribution frame, hence the charge.

That sounds a reasonable assumption, but I can't say I know how Sky Talk works either.

.Griff. · Sep 23, 2011, 17:11:19

Quote from: Nutter on Sep 23, 2011, 17:07:52
I think only Orange have an LLU presence in that exchange, so presumably Sky Talk still use all BT's equipment.

I'd be very surprised if they have Sky Talk and Sky don't have an LLU presence in that exchange.

I was led to understand Sky's offering is completely unbundled so both voice and data is provided via their equipment.

Which exchange is it?

Nutter · Sep 23, 2011, 17:12:59

Waddington (SLWAD)

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/SLWAD

Simon · Sep 23, 2011, 17:14:31

Quote from: Nutter on Sep 23, 2011, 17:07:52Another query then - if I ask BT for the line to be switched back to them, do I also need to ask for that reference number that allows IDNet to connect broadband at the same time? And if so, what's the proper term for that reference number?

I think it's called a Simultaneous Provide - this might be useful:

http://usergroup.plus.net/simprovideorders.php

Nutter · Sep 23, 2011, 17:54:03

OK, it seems everything is sorted. I called BT back who are going to provide the line (no connection cost), and confirmed with IDNet that I'll have just the broadband from them. BT were very helpful, and provided the simultaneous provide reference number so hopefully

broadband can be connected on the same day.

Interestingly, BT confirmed the line is still connected, active and using their exchange equipment, so it is straightforward. I have no idea what the complication is with IDNet providing it, but it all works out OK for me in the end. Just means IDNet don't get me as a line rental customer for now.