catch 22 mum being ripped off

[portland555]

I recently found out that my mother is out of contract with BT broadband and phone and is paying over £80 a month for 40Mbit over copper.

BT refuse to lower the bill as they say it has to be full fibre now. However, Openreach refuse to install fibre as they say too much work is needed and it would cost them too much. But surely they have to do it at some point soon when copper gets obseleted anyway?

What can I do to stop my mum being ripped off every month? Seems very unfair that she is trapped out of contract with no way to reduce her bill.

We tried switching to Sky broadband as well, but same situation with Openreach.

I can see this being a big scandal - milions of older people are probably being ripped off in this way.

Thanks

[imjolly]

can you enter the phone number and post results including the notes please  let's see what broadband you can get

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

if phone number does not work use address

[portland555]

Exchange Product Restrictions StatusFTTP Priority ExchangeWLR WithdrawalSOADSL Restriction

N

Y

N

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG partial Direct In Ground.

FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.

The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme

As a WLR withdrawal exchange, product restrictions apply

[portland555]

[imjolly]

what happened to rest of information? - post crossed

so is your existing line connection underground and comes into house from underground.  did BT say why you needed to pay for installation?  is home a long way from the footpath?

[portland555]

Received this from Sky as well:

Hi, Just a quick update on your order,Openreach have advised us that a large amount of work is required to provide a Broadband and Talk service to the property. as this will incur excess costs, Sky will not be able to provide a service.

[portland555]

House has a long front garden, about 50 feet from the footpath to the house wall. Also they need to dig up the street apparently.

There is no pole, so I expect the copper is underground to the house.

[portland555]

What I don't understand is - why can't they just reduce the price on the existing copper installation? She doesn't need anything faster than what she has. Surely they should make an exception in such cases. She is spending 10% of her pension on broadband.

And BT didn't even give the option to pay for it (not that she should). They just said "NO".

Also, I expect being out of contact for 10 years means she has already paid thousands more than she should have, which would cover the costs I'm sure... Martin Lewis is the next step I guess..

[imjolly]

being out of contract is not a problem  many customers are out of contract.  it just means any initial discounts have been lost and you are on standard terms but gives you ability to leave giving a month or less notice without incurring termination fees

[portland555]

Problem is, she cannot leave (unless she wan't no service at all).

Also, the excessive price walking she has been subjected to would actually be ILLEGAL in the energy industry. Same should appy to telecoms.