Short contract FTTP and activation times

Evening all,

I'm looking at a short term rental of a new-build which is OR FTTP only. ONT pre-installed, solid PON light. BTw checker says KCI2 Assure - ONT exists with no active service.

I have two issues:
1. Which service provider to choose for a short term basic service? So far I have only found Cuckoo offering 1 month terms on FTTP. Another option could be to take a 12 month contract and "move house" the connection somewhere else I'll need it in five months... but at the second address Vodafone are available for £21 ish, while at the first address they aren't. Not much point taking a £35/month 12/18 month TalkTalk 150Mb service and paying to change the service address when Vodafone 80/20 is available at the second location for £21.

2. BT can activate the service in two days' time, but Cuckoo want to schedule 'installation' for a date over two weeks away. I have asked Cuckoo if they can do better, but no reply yet. Is activating a service on an existing ONT that fast? A&A's automatic order system offers dates in two weeks, but they're not a viable option as it's a 12-month minimum at one address. That could point to a TalkTalk issue as I think that's both Cuckoo and A&A's default option.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Had an update from Cuckoo, who say they don't understand how BT can offer to have the service activated in two days. They say there is a mandatory 10-day cooling off period for all suppliers, but I can't imagine BT are breaking the rules.

The 10-day period is for migrations, not new provides.

BT will give you a pretty decent price for 40M or 55M or 80M if that's all you need, and you can get cashback if you follow the right referral links, but you'll be on a 24 month contract.

EDIT: You might also consider Sky: £28 per month + £20 setup, but on an 18 month contract.

Beware: for any provider, check the terms for what happens when you move house, because you may be required to start a new contract at that point. This means you might be better off with a supplier who does a 12 month contract, like Aquiss.

(Aquiss are a bit more expensive - £32 for 40M or £34 for 80M - but there is no setup fee and a £10/month discount for the first 3 months, so the cost over 12 months is comparable)

Edited by candlerb (Thu 16-Dec-21 11:01:11)

Thanks. The Sky offer is competitive, especially once cashback is taken into account - I think that will be the way forward.

They quote a 2 week wait also. Seems to just be BT that will activate quickly. If I were them I'd make a selling point of it - and if I was their competition I'd improve processes to compete.

In reply to a post by ft247:

The Sky offer is competitive, especially once cashback is taken into account

Interested to know who the cashback will be through for Sky?

The first I looked at was Top Cashback, but there may be others.

In reply to a post by ft247:

The first I looked at was Top Cashback, but there may be others.

OK thanks, cashback websites are not something I have ever used but may be time to take another look

https://www.noone.co.uk/
I use there parent company 'Trunk Networks' and can recommend them.

In reply to a post by ft247:

Had an update from Cuckoo, who say they don't understand how BT can offer to have the service activated in two days. They say there is a mandatory 10-day cooling off period for all suppliers, but I can't imagine BT are breaking the rules.

This is likely due to how they use Talk Talk. On the resold side, TT enforce a delay for cooling off. As others have said, the 10-day period set in industry is for migrations.

An ONT, as far as Openreach are concerned, can be activated as quick as next working day (usually goes live just after midnight), if ordered and committed before the end of day cut off (usually around 4pm).

Some providers will allow you to waive your cooling off rights to achieve this so it may be worth asking them , reframing the quesiton.

Matt

In reply to a post by uno:

This is likely due to how they use Talk Talk. On the resold side, TT enforce a delay for cooling off. As others have said, the 10-day period set in industry is for migrations.

Thanks Matt, that was my suspicion too.

For anyone in a similar position in future, those using TT in some way (Cuckoo, A&A) seem to enforce around 10-12 working days, whereas Sky are around 14 calendar days. At the current time of the year this hands Sky a significant advantage due to many bank holidays.