Advice on possible grants for phone line

[lottie87]

Hi

I am after some advice

After 9 months of dealing with BT, with rediculous amount of problems, having various engineers come out and even more excuses for why a phone line was taking so long to be connected, we were told that there is about 200m where there is no available line to connect us. 

As it is not a standard connection fee we have been told we need to pay £4500 to be connected which we are unable to afford.

We live in the country and have no mobile signal (we have tried various networks) and without having a phone line/internet we have no access to phone/inbternet and therefore no contact to the emergency services if needed. It is also necessary for me to be contacted 24hours a day due to my work.

I have been told there is some sort of grant for rural houses to be connected to the phone/internet. Is anyone able to advise me on if there is one and how to apply.

Thank you

Charlotte Sarfas

[imjolly]

what was the outcome when you contacted the mods in July 2012 - were they able to help or explain the line problem?

[pottyperson]

If any support is available it's likely to be a local initiative, like this one. Best place to start is probably your County Council.

[plainview]

I know when Openreach need to install new line plant to provide service they will pay the first £1,500, or was it £2,500 then you need to cough up the rest.

Actually don't quote me on that, but I'm sure that's how it was when I worked there a while back.

Not sure if you can get a grant to get a phone line installed though, I know there are Local Government Subsidies to get Communities online for broadband but its usually a small amount like £300 per household or something and would only apply to say a Village or Town, each individual property wouldn't actually get the money, if you see what I mean?

[lottie87]

I can not remember whether we did contact the mods back in July, I think my husband managed to send in a written complaint and spoke to a senior manager in the end who sent out two openreach engineers that new what they were doing. This only happened last month. I think we battled on trying to ring various other people until then so can not remember everyone we spoke to. My apologies.

 Thank you for advice on possible grants, i will have a look.