BT Home Essential - Technical Questions

[TheDragon]

I'm a former customer who was on BT Basic and signed up to FTTC as soon as it was available. They gave me a openreach modem as part of the installation.

I used this happily until I was informed I  could no longer have FTTC with BT Basic! As a result I was forced to leave.

I'm now considering signing up with BT again for their Home Essentials FTTC packages, however I have a couple of questions.

a) What router is supplied with this package? Can it be used in modem mode (like the Virgin Medial)?

b) Do BT still give IPv4 WAN addresses? As currently with Virgin Media they do and I can completely disable IPv6 on my own router (pfSense).

c) If the supplied router cannot be put in modem mode, can I use my Openreach modem and my own router? (I realise they wouldn't offer support on this if I had issues and would have to plug in whatever they supply for problem solving a future issue).

d) Due to a disability I'm not able to speak on the phone - if I ever need to contact BT (tech support or billing)  is there a way to do this by email, or support tickets on website, or text message?

Thanks in advance for any info you can share on these questions!

[pippincp · Accepted solution]

a) smart hub, not it can't be put in modem mode, none of the hubs can.

b) You still get an IPv4 addy.

c) Yes, you can use the Openreach modem and your own router.

d) Online chat possibly.

[TheDragon]

Thanks so much for the quick reply @pippincp !

Regarding the online chat - what makes you say possibly?

Do they only allow billing queries? 

[pippincp]

I've never used it so don't know if it covers billing.

[-Richie-]

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@TheDragonwrote:

Thanks so much for the quick reply @pippincp !

Regarding the online chat - what makes you say possibly?

Do they only allow billing queries? 

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There are chat teams for sales, billing and fault queries.

[TheDragon]

Thank you so much!

That's my decision made!  🙂

[TheDragon]

Actually just thought of another question - since I'll be moving to a different flat...

I don't know if there is a landline installed already. If there isn't, does anyone know what the charge would be to install a new phone line?

I know the usual cost is £70, I just wondered if there was any discount for a new line on the Home Essential FTTC packages?

[-Richie-]

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@TheDragonwrote:

I know the usual cost is £70, I just wondered if there was any discount for a new line on the Home Essential FTTC packages?

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Some packages include free line installation and activation, take advantage of one of them when you signup, once live you can switch to 'Home Essentials' at anytime in the future.

[TheDragon]

Thank you so much for your help!! Really is greatly appreciated