I didn't ask him. I was trying to order a new line not find out about why I shouldn't switch to EE!

In reply to a post by akawtu:

OK maybe it's not so simple.

Is there a forum for options about ordering a new phone line? I am thinking I need some advice!

I phoned BT to order a second line but they aren't able to supply one because I am considering a LLU broadband supplier which takes over the line. The BT rep also talked about my current line and for a long while he tried to convince me to cancel the EE broadband package which he said I can do so up until the last day.

Not all LLU takes over the line. And there is nothing to stop you getting a second line from anyone you like even if you already have an LLU line.

He was clearly trying to persuade you to stay with a BT line and is clearly only semi-informed about LLU lines.

Why has it become so difficult to order a new line that isn't locked into a phone package?

It's dead easy. As above, you weren't getting a correct story from him.

I'm starting to think the BT rep was correct and I should cancel the EE broadband and go for a LLU broadband supplier on that line. I would also order WBC broadband on a new line and the WBC supplier will be able to order the new line at the same time as broadband and calls package.

That seems to directly contradict what you said earlier.

This is not as simple as I thought it would be!

True. But I'd still like to know the exchange. It may be irrelevant, it may not, but you don't know enough to know . Then I and others can come up with suggestions for a suitable combination of services for you. There's no danger in saying what exchange you are on.

Thanks for the response but I've decided I should move to a different supplier on my current line (not EE) before ordering a new line with broadband for upstairs.

With Xilo LLU a phone number is required to move to C&W LLU although I don't know if they take over the line yet.

I've added a static IP requirement which limits my options and I'd also prefer the new supplier takes over the line too.

It might be dead easy for you but for me it isn't happening as when I tried it says I can't order a new line unless I phone up so I dial 150 and the BT rep tells me the only way BT can supply a new line is if I sign up for 18 months of their phone package.

Actually I am becoming quite angry about all this now the more I think about it.

I didn't think to check prices and I'm sure many others don't either so I only found out how cheap broadband has become because of the EE letter.

The joke is on me when BT have been taking £29.40 every month and yet they are giving others the same package for MUCH less. When I called to get the MAC code the guy offered me the same package for £13.75 per month. BT can offer a significantly reduced price so why are they charging their loyal customers a considerably higher amount for the same package???

It has been really good of BT to charge me £29.40 for years HAHA what a joke it's been on me when they are providing others a reduced price of £13.75 for the exact same package! Oh and wait for it, I called BT again today to ask about cancelling the EE migration and I was also told the £29.40 is changing, it's going up! It's going to be £31.x soon! HAHA that is so nice of BT to do that for me.

I've made a new post to try to help me choose a supplier and I'll keep reading to find out more myself to help make a better decision this time.

OK I've been reading more and you're right I don't know much really.

I read about routing/peering being an issue with some suppliers and I have no idea if that will restrict my choices.

Help me make a good decision for my next broadband supplier! My exchange is ESDAL.

Supplier requirements:

Unlimited broadband (don't care if it's shaped at peak times)
Supplier takes over the line rental
Static IP

Add whatever else you think is a necessary requirement for a good broadband supplier!

Current unlimited broadband cost including line rental is £44 per month but hopefully something cheaper but I'll pay whatever for something good. Also I don't care about land line calls.

Edited by deleted (Sat 05-Jan-13 18:30:24)

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

In reply to a post by akawtu:

I phoned BT to order a second line but they aren't able to supply one because I am considering a LLU broadband supplier which takes over the line.

Not all LLU takes over the line.

I think OP is confused about LLU and what BT said to him. The point BT was making was that to take a new line with BT you need to enter a min term (12 or 18 months) contract with BT for the line rental, but that is not suitable for OP as he is considering taking BB (of any flavour) and phone from another ISP who will want to also take over the line rental. Thus conflicting with the OP's proposed line contract with BT.

In reply to a post by akawtu:

I called BT again today to ask about cancelling the EE migration

BT are not responsible for the EE migration; you need to call EE to cancel it.

You really don't know much about this and you would be well advised to listen to Roberto.

Right!

I'm not so angry now and I don't have a problem with BT besides the obvious and I would be fine to return to BT in the future when fibre is available to me.

But yes, I prefer not to have a BT bill for the line rental.

Well there is something that might be useful in there, which is the TalkTalk LLU. Seeing as you didn't mention it, I assume you strongly wish not to go to them.

However there are a couple of ISPs who use the TalkTalk LLU equipment in the exchange, but don't use the TalkTalk network from the exchange onwards, and all the support is by the ISP. I'm also not sure at this stage as to the static IP address availability on those packages.

I'll leave that for the moment as I think we have more than one issue, and I think we need to discuss that. What is worrying me is

I had all other electrical devices unplugged except for the Home Hub 3 so it connected at the 7.7 Meg rather than the usual 15 dB induced ~6 Meg but then after I finished the house keeping and plugged everything back in the noise margin dropped ~2 dB more than it usually does and it seems it is because of the electrical usage nearby.

Also I remember it having a lot of error seconds like that even when the noise margin was at 6 dB.

That does look like something on your premises is playing up. That could seriously affect any service, even on a second line, unless we track it down and eliminate it. That doesn't usually take long.

I'd be very worried about you going ahead with a migration plus a second line, and it was all still a mess. You'd be furious.

Can I also ask a few follow-up questions.

1) Where has the desire for a static IP address come from, seeing as you don't have one already? Do you want it on both lines? I assume you want different suppliers for the two services.

2) Where did you establish that you can't get FTTC? " Fibre is in my exchange but it's only available to those very close ..." is a strange thing to say. A huge numer of people close to their exchnage can't get it, while everyone else on their exchange can. It isn't a case of it spreading out from the centre.

3) The primary use for the second line and service is for gaming for the children. What we don't know is the primary use for the existing one, and that can make a difference. Less than it did a few years ago, but it can still be relevant.

4) What turned you off the EE deal? I don't remember seeing anything concrete. (AH - I see elsewhere it could be the lack of a static IP).

Re routing and peering, yes that can be important. Often though, how important depends on the type of use. Hence my Question 3.

Sorry to present that barrage of questions, but I hope you can see they are all relevant.

In reply to a post by akawtu:

Static IP

Can you get this from BT? If so:

What's wrong with staying with BT on your current package, which I assume is the 10 GB usage ADSL2+ BB + E & W Calls, but at the current price of £13.75 pm?

Or upgrade to the Unlimited ADSL2+ BB + E & W Calls for £26 pm? That would satisfy all your requirements and still be cheaper than you are paying now.

I called BT after I called EE to cancel the migration. EE had a problem with the cancellation so I called BT to find out what was showing on their system.

Next time I'll be sure to add a foot note with as much information as you seem to require so you don't feel inclined to post such a rude and unnecessary reply or maybe you can stop being so rude in the first place. :|