How long will sky own the telephone line?

[shalaz]

I have cancelled my Sky Broadband and sky talk, due to the new changes taking place in their t&c's on the 29-03-2010. Although the changes are minimal, i saw the chance to be able to end my contract, before the 12 mont period.

I informed them and i received an email saying that i could leave them without penalty.

My contract ends on the 29-03-2010, the day their changes take place. However, they say it will take another ten days therafter, to disconnect completley.

I will be looking for a new provider of broadband and telephone and i am not bothered if it takes a while longer. However, when i call other companies to ask about their services, they say that Sky own the line and unfortunatley the cost could be anything from £69.00 to £160, that i would have to pay, the new provider, to take over the line.

 

My question is, how long does Sky own the Line?

I would have thought once my contract has ended, plus the 10 days that Sky say's it needs to disconnect everything, that the line would then become free again, so that i could perhaps take up an offer in the future, from a different provider, that may have offers to new customers.

 

Can anyone help with this question, i would be very grateful,

thank you, Shalaz.

[MaxxPower]

What changes are taking place in the t&c's? I've not heard anything about this even though I'm a sky customer (though I did only sign up just over a month ago, so I might already be on the new t&c's to begin with)

[Mark_Blackpool]

It's not a case of who owns the line as such.

 

The piece of wire from your house plugs into equipment at the exchange which in your case sounds like it's Sky's equipment.

 

All providers have to get [bT] Openreach to physically remove the wire from the previous provider's equipment and plug it into the new one.

 

Openreach can levy a charge for that which the new provider passes on to you. Or not, sometimes they subsidise it in order to gain you as a customer.

 

So in theory every time you change provider you'll incur a charge.

 

Unless your provider is not a true provider and simply reselling a BT service, and you're changing from BT - for instance, to the Post Office, in which case nothing need be unplugged.

[locutus]

I have cancelled my Sky Broadband and sky talk, due to the new changes taking place in their t&c's on the 29-03-2010. Although the changes are minimal, i saw the chance to be able to end my contract, before the 12 mont period.

I informed them and i received an email saying that i could leave them without penalty.

My contract ends on the 29-03-2010, the day their changes take place. However, they say it will take another ten days therafter, to disconnect completley.

I will be looking for a new provider of broadband and telephone and i am not bothered if it takes a while longer. However, when i call other companies to ask about their services, they say that Sky own the line and unfortunatley the cost could be anything from £69.00 to £160, that i would have to pay, the new provider, to take over the line.

 

My question is, how long does Sky own the Line?

I would have thought once my contract has ended, plus the 10 days that Sky say's it needs to disconnect everything, that the line would then become free again, so that i could perhaps take up an offer in the future, from a different provider, that may have offers to new customers.

 

Can anyone help with this question, i would be very grateful,

thank you, Shalaz.

This is one of the main problems with "unbundled" phone lines. Once they are unplugged from BT's equipment in the exchange and plugged into someone else's, other providers have problems sorting things out. BT will be able to return your line to them, but they will hold you to a minimum term. If you are in receipt of any of the applicable benefits, you could go on to BT Basic which is really good value (about £12.50 per quater!).

 

Here is some info on BT Basic! A simple guide to BT Basic - BT's Inclusive Communications Website

[buzby]

BT Basic 'good value'? I beg to differ. The tariff (Low User) worked out at £18.50pm Quarter around £6pm. Half that of BT 'Basic'. No doubt one of the reasons BT got rid of it.

[shalaz]

Hi Maxxpower,

the changes that are taking place are in the Sky Broadband and Sky Talk subscription pakkages. They are very subtle, and take place on the 29th of this month.

 

The changes, i have been told, are very subtle.

 

Sky Broadband S.A. who provide you with sky broadband and talk services, will be replaced by, Brithish Sky Broadcasting Limited.

The other changes are to condition 7.5 of the Sky Talk Contract and condition 2(i) of the Sky Broadband contract. mainly about how they will notify you if they modify or temporarily suspend your services, if they need to carry out repairs etc.

I am afraid my scanner is not working, so i cant scan it in for you. However, a full set of the updated terms and conditions are available at:

sky.com/products or you can request a copy by post.

 

I used these small changes in my contract, to cancel my broadband and talk pakkage. Sky is too expensive for me now. My 12 month contract was due to end, at the end of june. I used their changes to my advantage, since it said, "if you are happy to accept these new terms, simply continue to pay your subscription, otherwise, if you no longer wish to receive Sky Talk and or Sky Broadband services, you must contact them at least 7 days before 29 March 2010.

 

I did receive my letter in January, perhaps they have not sent you one of these letters, or it is missing in the post. They have to send them to all customers, even you, Because the changes have not yet taken place

 

I called them and no one seemed to know much about any of it. But in the end i got there.

You have to call the cancellations department for Sky Broadband and Talk, explain that you do not accept the changes taking place on the 29-03-2010 and that should cancel out the contract.

I have received a letter confirming the cancellation for the 29th, with no penalty charges, since it is Sky who are changing the T&c's etc.

 

Shalaz

[locutus]

BT Basic 'good value'? I beg to differ. The tariff (Low User) worked out at £18.50pm Quarter around £6pm. Half that of BT 'Basic'. No doubt one of the reasons BT got rid of it.

 

BT basic is £13.50 per quater (not £12.50 as I previously posted) and includes £4.50 of calls in that. Thats only £4.50 per month, with £1.50 per month of calls.

[IdaInFife]

what you should have done is - for info in case others need it

 

request to opt out of the sky network and then 5 days later contact a new provider to transfer the line over and after 2 days call sky and say you are getting a new provider re the policy changes

 

you need to put this in process in the next 5 days for it too work out

[pippadeee]

BT basic is £13.50 per quater (not £12.50 as I previously posted) and includes £4.50 of calls in that. Thats only £4.50 per month, with £1.50 per month of calls.

 

It might be good value....but its only available if you're jobless or a pensioner.

 

Am I eligable for BT Basic? - BT's Inclusive Communications Website

 

You can usually get BT Basic if you are claiming one of the benefits below:

• Income Support
  
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  
• Employment Support Allowance (Income related) or
  
• Pensions Credit (Guaranteed Credit)
  

[SOD'EM]

How can you find out the tariffs for BT basics?

[buzby]

By looking at BT's website...?

 

How much does BT Basic cost? - BT's Inclusive Communications Website

[kiptower]

A simple guide to BT Basic - BT's Inclusive Communications Website

[SOD'EM]

Sorry it's ok, I have found it.

 

I mainly wanted to know if you could get a basic package with broadband on it as well.

[kiptower]

yes you can , that the difference from the old low user package, it would not let you have broadband