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24-Month Contract for 6-Months - Early Termination Nightmare?

scottbb21 — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:52:00 GMT

Hi All,

I'm in a bit of a predicament.

I'm just about to move into a house, but I'm only going to be there for around 6-months, as I am looking to move out of the country.

BT have a monopoly over the broadband in my road and are currently only offering 24-month contracts - or so I have been told.

If I purchase one of these deals, I am going to have to pay approximately 18 months worth of contract (minus a bit for costs saved) for my early termination fee, which is ridiculous.

I have read articles about BT re-introducing 12-month contracts which would be reasonable, but after speaking to an advisor over the phone, apparently this is not the case?

I can't see a reasonable option other than to live like a caveperson for 6 months? Does anybody have any ideas?

Thanks,

Scott

Re: 24-Month Contract for 6-Months - Early Termination Nightmare?

licquorice — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 15:04:30 GMT

@scottbb21 wrote:

BT have a monopoly over the broadband in my road and are currently only offering 24-month contracts - or so I have been told.

No they don't, BT don't have a monopoly anywhere.

Are you confusing Openreach with BT?

Re: 24-Month Contract for 6-Months - Early Termination Nightmare?

gg30340 — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 15:21:20 GMT

Alternatives could be if you have a mobile phone to tether that to your other devices and use its mobile data.

Get a mobile broadband package which will give you a mobile 3/4g router which you can connect to and which you can take with you when you move.

Look for an ISP if you can find one, that will offer you a 12 month contract and suck it up that you will be paying for 6 months of non use when you move.

Re: 24-Month Contract for 6-Months - Early Termination Nightmare?

scottbb21 — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 15:29:17 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for the quick reply!

Perhaps I am, I have spoken to a couple of alternative providers (Plusnet and a couple of others) they all directed me back to BT being the only provider in my area.

Looking into it, I guess I also have access to other providers on the Openreach network (TalkTalk and Sky?)

First time buyer here so thanks for clarifying, I thought I was out of options..

Scott

Re: 24-Month Contract for 6-Months - Early Termination Nightmare?

NeilO — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 15:31:29 GMT

@scottbb21 Thanks for posting, I'm sorry to see you're concerned about the length of the contract when you move into your new home. BT do provide 12-month broadband deals and I apologise that you were not advised of this when you called in.

Thanks

Neil

Re: 24-Month Contract for 6-Months - Early Termination Nightmare?

pippincp — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 17:30:21 GMT

Perhaps try EE as they calculate early termination fees by deducting wholesale fees saved plus 4% off the remaining balance.

See HERE