How to Avoid BT Line Rental

If, like me, you want to minimize your future use of BT services as far as possible, there are various options you could consider for your home phone line.

Note that many of BT's 'Options' bundles include long contract terms. Be sure to make a note of the date when your contract expires, and cancel the contract in writing before that date (keep a copy of the letter).

Sadly, because VirginMedia (who are partners with Phorm) have a UK monopoly over cable, a cable phone line is no better than BT.

WLR - Wholesale Line Rental

4.7 million lines in the UK are using Wholesale Line Rental. Including me!

WLR allows other telephone companies to operate your phone services, effectively eliminating BT Retail.

The service uses your existing ordinary phone line (operated by BT Openreach), but rather than receiving a bill from BT, your new provider bills you instead.

This has no impact on your choice of ADSL Internet Service Provider... so you remain free to use any third party ISP you wish.

Setup is easy; your new telephone company will arrange the transfer. I didn't even notice the switchover occur.

Examples of providers include;

Post Office HomePhone

LLU - Local Loop Unbundling

There are approximately 4.3 million 'unbundled' lines in the UK.

When you buy an LLU service, the wires from your exchange, and the equipment at the exchange are completely taken over by an alternative telephone company.

If you opt for LLU, you may have to use your new telephone company as your ADSL Internet Service Provider.

Setup is easy; your new telephone company will arrange the transfer.

You can check which LLU providers are available at your local exchange using the Sam Knows Broadband site.

CPS - Carrier Preselection

5.8 million lines in the UK are using Carrier Preselection.

CPS allows you to 'preselect' alternative telephone companies to handle some or all of your telephone calls. You can choose whether the alternative telephone company handles international, national, or all calls. You can even choose to have one company handle national calls, and another company handle your international calls.

This has no impact on your choice of ADSL Internet Service Provider... so you remain free to use any third party ISP you wish.

Setup is easy; the CPS telephone company will arrange the configuration of your services with your current telephony company.

Examples of providers include;

Kingston Communications Talkmore