Forum Topic

Broadband first-time installation

I need to install a decent broadband connection in my first floor leasehold flat, primarily for my teenage stepson to use for schoolwork, Playstation use etc. I have tried a mobile network broadband unit and it is not up to the job. The problem is that the freeholder prohibits any new cabling coming into the premises from outside and bans satellite dishes. That effectively rules out connecting to the cable TV network that is available in our road. There is a telephone socket which I have never used but assume is still cable-connected, and I think this is probably the best way to achieve the broadband connection. I don't particularly need a landline phone (which is why I have never tried to use the socket). The obvious solution would be to get BT to activate the line with a broadband unit plugged into the socket. For that I assume I would need to have a landline phone as well. Can anyone recommend any alternative providers who could work within the limitations outlined above and would preferably cost less than BT ? Or indeed any other way of achieving the objective without falling foul of the freeholder ?

Richard Greenhough ● 2250d4 Comments

Check out Zen. Excellent reputation for reliability and customer service. I'm not sure without looking what their policy is on having a fixed-line phone as well as broadband, most ISPs will still try to encourage you to have that but it's a while since I checked so things may have improved.

Bruce Hammal ● 2250d

BT Openreach is responsible for maintaining the wiring from the exchange to the master socket in the house so if there is an issue, they will be involved whoever you use, although you don’t deal with them directly.Is the flat a conversion of a larger building or was it built as flats?  If the former, and the phone service hasn’t been in use for some time, there is a risk that the flat doesn’t have a master socket and the socket there is just a disconnected extension off the main line going into another flat.The only way to find out would be to ring up BT or any other provider and say you are interested in broadband and see if a phone line for the flat address appears on their records. There is no financial commitment for doing that. If there is no record then this will mean putting in a new line but without knowing what’s there already it’s difficult to say what this would mean.Maybe the freeholder would be amenable. It doesn’t seem very reasonable if the flat has been sold without any means to have a broadband service and the freeholder refuses to permit one being installed.

Michael Robinson ● 2250d

Michael, thanks. It is a purpose-built flat in a block of 4 dating from the 1980s, and I imagine the socket and its associated wiring would have been used for a landline in pre-mobile days. I have called BT as you suggested and their records indicate that the line remains in situ.

Richard Greenhough ● 2250d

Thanks, Bruce. I have spoken to Zen but the problem is they cannot confirm whether the existing socket and wiring can be used without me first signing up to them.

Richard Greenhough ● 2250d