There are two levels of charge depending how much is present already. If there's a line in place with dial tone it's free

In this case you would not be ordering as a new line, you would order a package on the existing line when going through the order process. I have advised to order a new line, yes this should normally be quite expensive but I pointed them to the deals which make it free.

if it requires a line running or other work there's a charge although various special offers and discounts may cancel that out.

Yes, BT will install a new line for free if you take their broadband & phone and Sky for £9. This is even in a worst case scenario ie no line whatsoever exists. So you cannot get worse than this.

While one could argue that the "existing line" should be brought into service for free, it's hard to argue that if you've chopped it off.

It's often extremely difficult to get an ISP to come out and update the existing line if it's performing okay, without dropouts and no fuzziness on the landline. Even if the speeds are suffering.

Also if it's chopped off and you order a new line. Yes the new line would normally be around £100 - £130, but if you choose the BT broadband and Phone you get this new line discounted.

I am not suggesting to order it as an existing line install.
I am saying order it as a new line, which is the same as ordering where there is absolutely no cabling to the house whatsoever. So anything that is there is a bonus. This is normally costly but is free if you go down the routes I advised.

As they want BT infinity anyway, it works quite nicely.

I am not suggesting to order it as an existing line install.

You don't get the option - you order a line. They supply it how they see fit.

If you have a line already you can order an extra line, but again you have no influence over how it is supplied (and it's not covered by the USO or some of the special offers).

You don't get the option - you order a line. They supply it how they see fit.

You can choose to have it installed as a new line.
http://s12.postimg.org/f3jxf2v25/Screen_Shot_2013_08...

When you choose the new line option, as long as you have ordered phone and BB they waiver the £130 charge.

If you have a line already you can order an extra line, but again you have no influence over how it is supplied (and it's not covered by the USO or some of the special offers).

Universal service obligation isn't really related to this.

If you order a new line, it doesn't matter what the existing line is like. You have ordered a new one. If BT choose to use an existing line that's currently unused to make the job easier, that's their choice, but the entire new line is within the £130 connection charge which is free if you take phone & BB on BT and order a new line at the same time.

Edited by ukhardy07 (Wed 07-Aug-13 12:16:12)

The USO can be relevant, in that if you have an active line already they can say no to providing another.

If they're running an offer that covers the £130 where a line already exists than as you say you're in the clear. You know in advance anyway as " BT will advise of a connection charge at the time the order is placed however this will be confirmed after checks have been carried out against the details of your property, to ascertain the condition of the wiring and sockets. "

If there's a line or pairs there and not in use they would be used, I'm pretty sure.

Not if the existing line is several meters too short as a result of it being cut /stolen by persons unknown then they would have to install a new 3-4 pair drop cable from the pole,But normally they would just use another pair within the same cable,and instal the master for the second line next to the existing one,

Edited by tommy45 (Wed 07-Aug-13 17:18:29)