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Author Topic: Home Builders Federation report 10-week delays in BT line connections  (Read 13223 times)

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New Home Expert

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Buying a new home?  It could take 10 weeks before you get a landline and broadband.

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) told cable.co.uk that BT Openreach is taking up to 7-10 weeks to activate BT phone lines on new housing estates, according to a leading consortium of UK developers.  Dave Mitchell, technical director at the Home Builders Federation said...
"We are finding in some cases it takes 7-10 weeks before a telephone line is connected.  I know of two developers that have given purchasers mobile phones because they knew the phone line wouldn't be available straight away."

There is no statutory requirement to install landlines to new properties, but Mr Mitchell believes putting in phone and broadband lines is a "no-brainer".

Normally house builders contact BT Openreach at the outset and ask them to produce a design for the ducting and equipment infrastructure on the new estate.
BT Openreach provide all the necessary materials to enable the builder's groundworker to lay the necessary ducting, distribution boxes to each home.
Once built to the required standard both BT Openreach and Virgin Media actually pay house builders for installing their infrastructure.

Mr Mitchell told cable.co.uk that not all lines are connected in time for the completion of the first home on an estate.
"If they (Openreach) can't guarantee that their engineers can get it in on time we get it in the neck from new customers. There's a degree of frustration from house builders.  But we don't know what else we can do.  We're already putting pressure on".

Responding to Mr Mitchells comments, a BT Openreach spokesperson told cable.co.uk:
Quote
"Openreach has a specific 'new sites' team which is dedicated to connecting new developments across the UK to our open access network.   The team works hard to avoid any situation where a resident might move into their home without lines already installed, but we can sometimes encounter obstacles which affect our ability to do that.  These include planning procedures, the local infrastructure, the amount of civil engineering work needed and any wayleaves required to work on third party property or land.
For these reasons, we encourage developers to work with us from the very outset of their project so that our engineers can plan, design and build the network effectively and on-time"
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Lily70

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Re: Home Builders Federation report 10-week delays in BT line connections
« Reply #1 on: December 26, 2015, 11:29:06 pm »
Well. the topic is over one year old, but since I have the same problem, I will post here rather than starting a new topic.

It took PlusNet almost one month to activate the broadband service in my new build flat, only to discover that none of the telephone sockets in my flat are connected. I am not sure what BT/Openreach engineer was thinking when he installed wires but left sockets unconnected.
Today PlusNet support told me at the online chat that a visit of Openreach engineer will cost £160.  :o
Then at the Skype conversation another PlusNet support person said that they would charge £50 for a visit of Plusnet engineer.  >:(
Apparently £49.99 charged by Plusnet as Phone line installation fees do not include wiring sockets inside the property.  ???
This must be a new way BT found to rip off customers.  ;)

PS: Thanks for recommending Martyn from Brickkickers. I have had my flat snagged and all snags seem to be fixed. Well, phone sockets problem was not noticed at the inspection time.
Btw, I made a donation today.


New Home Expert

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Re: Home Builders Federation report 10-week delays in BT line connections
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2015, 10:10:46 am »
First of all, thank you for your kind donation.
I am pleased that your flat is snagged and fixed.

By the way it doesn't matter how old a post is, as the same problems often re occur.
BT would normally only connect up the main master socket (where the outside BT cable enters the property). All other telephone sockets are extensions provided by the housebuilder and should be connected by them.

Most telephone engineers do connect the extension cable(s) in the master socket as well as the BT cable but they don't have to.

I would ask that the site electrician calls round one evening to do this for you.
It is certainly not a £50 - £150 job, about 10minutes maximum.
One more thing, did you know that PlusNet was bought by BT?
BT tell me that they are run as separate companies though!!

In fact anyone who is reasonably capable with DIY should be able to do it.
Look online for help, perhaps this will help.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaKTUF4UoEI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaKTUF4UoEI</a> 
New Home Blog - New Home Expert is committed to providing help and advice for people having issues with their new homes and difficulties with house builders as well as helping potential buyers reduce the risk of possible problems if they do buy.

Lily70

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Re: Home Builders Federation report 10-week delays in BT line connections
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2015, 11:25:32 am »
Thanks for advice, New Home Expert.
I am useless at DIY, so better get someone who knows what to do.

Yes, I knew that Plusnet was bought by BT. I have been with Virgin Media for 6 years but unfortunately, Virgin is not available at my new flat location. So had to choose between Plusnet, BT and Sky. Still hope that all will get fixed.

New Home Expert

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Re: Home Builders Federation report 10-week delays in BT line connections
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2015, 11:43:13 am »
BT has some amazing bribery deals to get you as a Broadband customer.
I got £80 of Sainsbury vouchers and I already had BT line rental and calls.
I even saved £3 a month on the Broadband in the first contract year and got a better (negotiated) deal on renewal.

New Home Blog - New Home Expert is committed to providing help and advice for people having issues with their new homes and difficulties with house builders as well as helping potential buyers reduce the risk of possible problems if they do buy.