TELECOM 247

> On Mon, 12 May 2008 16:56:05 +0100, John wrote:
>
>> Darren wrote:
>>> On Friday I moved into a flat of 2 years old.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately no previous tenants have bothered to have the phone line
>>> connected - therefore although there are sockets already on the walls,
>>> BT say a 124.99 connection charge is payable.
>>>
>>> This is a real shame, since I only need it for internet access and the
>>> only other alternative is mobile access, which isnt ideal and may cost
>>> the same in the long run.
>>>
>>> Anyway of waiving the charge? What if i had a line at another property
>>> and did a moving home job?
>>>
>>> thanks
>>
>> You just happen to have dropped lucky - until the end of June its 30
>> http://www.serviceview.bt.com/list/public/current/Notice08 boo/
> SNL21-08.pdf
>>
>> However, I cannot stand whingers who think that the charge of 124.99 is
>> too much. Whether you only want it for internet or not, a phone line is
>> a phone line. And how do you think the little white box got there, in
>> your flat, in the first place?
>>
>> You say that the flat is 2 years old ( the fact that previous tenents
>> didnt have the line activated isnt relevant), so that means that work
>> to get that telephone socket on the wall started at least two years
>> before that.
>>
>> Various planning departments, both council and BT will have been
>> involved in getting wayleaves, planning exchange capacity, planning
>> cable routes etc., etc. Then trenching will have been dug and ducting
>> will have to have been laid underground and cabling gangs will have had
>> to install new cabling, with cable jointers coming along behind.
>>
>> The builder and/or electrician will have installed the wiring internally
>> in your flat, fitted the wall socket and wired back to the termination
>> point in a services cupboard somewhere - and BT will have had to pay for
>> that, they dont get it free.
>>
>> And what does your 124.99 give you? It gives you a gateway to the world.
>> 124.99 will not even fill my cars petrol tank twice (67 empty to full).
>
> Whilst your sentiments are understandable I dont see that the cost of
> network provision should be the responsibility of the end user.
>
> In most instances on new-builds the network pre-wiring is done and little
> more than two crimps and a visit is needed. I agree that BT have paid for
> this infrastructure to be placed, but under their operators licence they
> have an obligation in law to provide it.
>
> Perhaps if they did not waste all that money pre-wiring such buildings,
> they could bring the cost down from over a ton for a provide. I dont
> recall the cable companies running to Ł125 for a residential provide -
> AFAIR. Ł125 is not an attractive price to pay to connect a line.
>
> Do the Electricity Board charge the end user to hook up a meter and
> supply in the same new build, connecting to the mains wiring provided by
> the same electrician that wired up the phone socket?

> Im sure you paid a line rental fee the last time I looked, not a
> outright purchase for the bloody cable they have had to lay to make a
> profit from you.