Switching phone / broadband and tv services from TalkTalk to BT

[ConfulsedofTonbridge]

I have a very old contract which is rolling over every month with TalkTalk whereby I have a landline, broadband and a tv set-top box.  I want to switch to BT but am confused about whether I need to notify Talktalk.  

The confusion arises from the BT webpage  https://www.bt.com/broadband/switch/

This makes it clear that BT does everything if you are either switching from BROADBAND or LANDLINE. However if you are switching BROADBAND AND TV  the user has to notify the provider!

When I spoke to BT sales they said they would do everything and wasn’t aware of their website comments.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this please?

[VeteranISPUser · Accepted solution]

Hi @ConfulsedofTonbridge   

I would simply let BT do everything. If you speak to TalkTalk it will only confuse things. If after the switch you still find that TalkTalk are still billing you for TV you could simply tell TalkTalk to cancel their TV.

However I doubt you will have any trouble. You will find that your TalkTalk TV box (if still in use) will automatically rebrand itself to BT when it recognises it is connected to BT broadband.

I don’t use BT TV but I did keep my old TalkTalk TV box. After I switched to BT and turned on my old TalkTalk TV box it simply changed everything to BT in the menus so I could watch the free channels.

[ConfulsedofTonbridge]

Thank you. That’s very helpful. Incidentally there’s a page on TalkTalk which now says they’ll send you a box to return the router and set-top box if you leave!   

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Articles/Returning-your-TalkTalk-equipment/ta-p/2348381

I was more concerned about losing my landline number in the changeover.

[VeteranISPUser]

Hi @ConfulsedofTonbridge   To keep your number (assuming it was originally issued by BT) do not tell TalkTalk that you are leaving. Follow the switching procedures and only talk to BT. As to returning equipment, the following phrase is important “equipment you no longer need”. The service is to help you recycle your boxes and do your bit for the planet. You can keep them if you want.

[ConfulsedofTonbridge]

Thank you so much (again).

I was concerned because BT are so emphatic on their webpage about the action THEY will take for landline and broadband switches and imply it’s all down to the CUSTOMER where tv is involved!