Business Broadband: Guide To Getting A New Line Installed

There could be many reasons your new workplace doesn’t have internet. Perhaps it’s a new build or a particularly old building. One thing that is essential to getting business broadband is a phone line - if you have one then great, but if not, don’t worry.

If you’re moving to new premises, whether you work from home or run your business from outside the home, then carry on reading to make sure you know what to do.

BT and Openreach

installation-broadband-phone-line

Getting a broadband line installed:

Step 1: You can use a BT fibre checker to find the best package for you. Make sure you fill in all the information including your postcode so that you get the most accurate price. Then once you’ve found the one you like the look of.

Step 2: Sign up for it.

Step 3: You will organise for an engineer to come and pay you a visit, and they will connect your line for you.

Step 4: You’re ready to work

BT will happily install your BT business broadband line if you buy a package with them. All you need to do is find the best deal and within the couple of weeks, an engineer could be connecting you.

But what if you don’t want a package?

If you would like to have a phone line without broadband installed because you don’t like the idea of committing to a package, then you will more than likely have to pay for having the line installed. Providers can charge anything from £20 upwards but if it’s BT you want, expect a fee of £130 for this service.

Call the provider that you have chosen and arrange for an engineer to come out and install your new phone line. You will need to pay a fee for connection usually, but once you’ve done so, the engineer will turn up and install the line.

You are then free to pick any broadband provider who can order broadband on your phone line for you.

Virgin Media

virgin-media-line install

How to get a broadband line installed with Virgin Media:

Step 1: You will need to make sure that Virgin Media is available in your area. It’s worth visiting the Virgin fibre checker. Enter your postcode and Virgin will be able to tell you if service is available.

Step 2: If yes, then you can now start to have a look at the packages and deals they have available.

Step 3: Find the one that you want and sign up.

Step 4: Make arrangements for an engineer visit.

Step 5: The engineer will come out and connect your line up.

Getting Virgin Media is easy even when you don’t have a broadband line, as long as it’s available in your area. Unlike BT and Openreach providers, you can only get a line installed if your sign up to one of their packages, and there's not much point in getting a Virgin Media line installed if you don’t as it can only be used to provide services from Virgin Media.

How much will it cost me?

As long as you’re in an area covered by Virgin Media, nothing at all! They will happily connect your home up for no extra cash if you sign up for a package. You will need to pay a small activation fee when signing up for a contract but don’t worry, this is usually a standard £20.

So, what actually happens when the engineer comes over?

Your provider should aim to get an engineer out to you as soon as possible. Here’s what you can expect:

1. The engineer will arrive on the day you arranged with your provider. You will decide where the equipment will be sited. If you are not sure where to put it, the engineer will help you decide.

2. The engineer will be working away to get it installed, he will likely need to pay a visit to your street’s telephone exchange box.

3. The cables will run along your business premises walls. The engineer won't usually need to pull the flooring up or anything, but you can expect a little drilling.

4. You will be notified when your line is active, and you can start accessing the internet over your new service.