No other options?

[poor_student]

I currently have the NTL Base Pack - phone, tv and internet (1mb).

is there any way that I can get rid of the phone line? I dont use it at all, and I begrudge the fact that NTL are telling me that to have the TV, I also need to have the phone line. Essentially, I am paying for something I do not use. I have tried looking at other providers, but either they do not offer things like Sky One, or are too expensive (SKY Satellite).

anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.

[orangebird]

Apparently, you can now - How long have you been in your contract so far though?

[poor_student]

have had contract for over 3 years. Reading the bumph on the site, you must have a phone as well as tv. Are there any other providers?

[MovedGoalPosts]

The link that eventually gets to has this in the small print:

Originally Posted by ntl

This offer is only available to existing customers who have a phone line as their only service. Customers must retain their phone line to be eligible for this offer

So you have to keep your phone line to get the additional broadband and TV that that offer allows.

[poor_student]

Which basically means that it is not an offer at all - I'm thinking of referring this to ASA.

[Graham M]

They'll get away with it.

[orangebird]

If you all read the small print PROPERLY before getting on your legal high horses, it does state -

Offer ends 7th August 2006. New customers can take up this offer online or by calling 0800 183 0123

.

So, cancel your contract with them, then take up the offer. Chances are if you ring to cancel and they ask why, they may just give you the deal anyway?

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by orangebird

If you all read the small print PROPERLY before getting on your legal high horses, it does state - .

So, cancel your contract with them, then take up the offer.

Not so. The statutory 30 day notice required for cancellation would take you beyond August 7th.

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

Not so. The statutory 30 day notice required for cancellation would take you beyond August 7th.

So that takes it out of the equation because of time Just pointing out that what was posted earlier (ie post 5) was incorrect.

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by orangebird

So that takes it out of the equation because of time Just pointing out that what was posted earlier (ie post 5) was incorrect.

Well, it's not really an offer if you fall into any of the exempted criteria - ie some very considerable % of their existing customer base who have services beyond just the phone (I wasn't even aware that "phone only" was possible - but there you go).

Interestingly NTL seem to have overlooked their own mission statement (2. Provision of Services) wherein they state "ntl’s aim is to give those who subscribe to its services customer-focussed attention and a fair deal in the provision of quality communications" which is available here.

Consequently one could challenge how the exemptions referring to existing customers constitute "a fair deal in the provision of quality communications" when quite clearly they are being disadvantaged by having more than just the phone service.

[poor_student]

OK, so unless NTL are very nice to me and decide that they will take the phoneline off and stop charging me for it (which I really doubt), my only choice is to move providers. Problem is, can you get broadband without needing a landline?

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

Well, it's not really an offer if you fall into any of the exempted criteria - ie some very considerable % of their existing customer base who have services beyond just the phone (I wasn't even aware that "phone only" was possible - but there you go).

You can say the same of any service/credit provider My credit card issuer is offering 0% on purchases for six months to new customers, but I'm not getting that deal.

If you didn;t know about having phone only, then that's not ntls problem really, is it?

Interestingly NTL seem to have overlooked their own mission statement wherein they stated "ntl’s aim is to give those who subscribe to its services customer-focussed attention and a fair deal in the provision of quality communications" which is available here.

Consequently one could challenge how the exemptions referring to existing customers constitute "a fair deal in the provision of quality communications" when quite clearly they are being disadvantaged by having more than just the phone service.

When did the offer start?

As for fair deals, ntl have to make money or there's no point. They don't make money on offering CATV alone, so they don't offer it. I can't see what's unfair about that?

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by orangebird

You can say the same of any service/credit provider My credit card issuer is offering 0% on purchases for six months to new customers, but I'm not getting that deal.

Yes, but I very much doubt that your credit card issuer makes bold statements along the lines of offering existing customers "a fair deal in the provision of ..."

Originally Posted by orangebird

If you didn;t know about having phone only, then that's not ntls problem really, is it?

I'm not interested in "phone only" deals. I was merely stating that I was not aware that they were available.

Originally Posted by orangebird

When did the offer start?

13 July 2006 11:10:23 is the last time the page was edited so sometime around that date (certainly not after)

Originally Posted by orangebird

As for fair deals, ntl have to make money or there's no point. They don't make money on offering CATV alone, so they don't offer it. I can't see what's unfair about that?

I'm sorry but we're talking about this particular offer - not the semantics of making money. If ntl can't figure out how to make money from CATV alone then surely that's an issue for them to address, not you, I or their customer base.

The fact is that the exemptions referred to in the aforementioned offer make a nonsense of the Code of Practice. I didn't print it, ntl did, your issue (if any) is with them and their flagrant contradictory disregard for their customers evidenced in patently untrue "soundbites".

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

Yes, but I very much doubt that your credit card issuer makes bold statements along the lines of offering existing customers "a fair deal in the provision of ..."




I'm not interested in "phone only" deals. I was merely stating that I was not aware that they were available.

What was the point in that?

13 July 2006 11:10:23 is the last time the page was edited so sometime around that date (certainly not after)

Edited does not mean first published though, does it, so it could've been possible for an existing customner to do as I suggested if the offer had been there since June and they gave notice in time. No?

I'm sorry but we're talking about this particular offer - not the semantics of making money. If ntl can't figure out how to make money from CATV alone then surely that's an issue for them to address, not you, I or their customer base.

Yes, they could charge for the stb and/or charge for installation. That would go down like a lead balloon in todays tight wad/want something for nothing consumer society.

The fact is that the exemptions referred to in the aforementioned offer make a nonsense of the Code of Practice. I didn't print it, ntl did, your issue (if any) is with them and their flagrant contradictory disregard for their customers evidenced in patently untrue "soundbites".

What's untrue about the offer? I'm not a customer, but if I sign up before the end of the month, I can have tv & bb for 20 quid...

[poor_student]

Don't wantto sound rude but this seems to be getting a bit off topic - in short, I am not eligible for the offer. What I need to know is if there is a way of having broadband without the need for a phoneline?