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[black33]

The new package for those on state benefits kicked in on Monday and I put an order in over the phone.

When I later got e-mail confirmation, BT had not mentioned the 1,000 minutes of monthly FREE CALLS to 0845 and 0870 numbers 

They also forgot to mention that a customer could end their contract giving 30 days notice FREE OF CHARGE.

I already have an ONT supplied and fitted by OR and tested by them and confirmed as 100% working and ready to go live.

Although I informed BT of this, they still want to send an engineer round to mine for some strange reason unbeknown to me. 

I've read reviews of BT customer service but thought I'd take a chance which is presently looking to be a bad decision 

[burakkucat]

I already have an ONT supplied and fitted by OR and tested by them and confirmed as 100% working and ready to go live.

Although I informed BT of this, they still want to send an engineer round to mine for some strange reason unbeknown to me. 

That does seem a bit odd but I have a vague recollection that an ONT, connected to the fibre and powered on, can be tested remotely. However it cannot enter service without the serial number being registered by an engineer adjacent to, and in eye-sight of, the ONT.

[black33]

That does seem a bit odd but I have a vague recollection that an ONT, connected to the fibre and powered on, can be tested remotely. However it cannot enter service without the serial number being registered by an engineer adjacent to, and in eye-sight of, the ONT.

Thanks for your input.
The Openreach team were assigned to my property as I was the lead person in getting FTTP fitted where I live.
The OR engineer made a phone call to make sure the ONT was ready to roll.
He told me all I need is to join a router and I am good to go, no engineer visit needed.
The serial number of my ONT is visible on another ISPs website when you do a search on their products with your post code, one ISP said they could get me up and running in 2 days.
It now appears that BT tried to do a check on my ONT remotely when it was not plugged in and that threw out an error and a need for an engineers visit.
The salesman never told me to plug it in there and then he said plug it in the day before your super hub 2 is due to arrive.
BT have now cancelled my order and are setting up a new one, apparently.

[black33]

BT sorted the order mix up and everything is up and running sweet as I type.
FTTP yo 

[meritez]

Now being offered in EE/BT stores.

[gt94sss2]

The serial number of my ONT is visible on another ISPs website when you do a search on their products with your post code,

Which ISP is this?

[j0hn]

IDNet show my ONT serial number.
Actually if you enter any address with a live FTTP service you can see their ONT serial number.

[kitz]

The new package for those on state benefits

Just a note on this as it is something that crops up from time to time.
Only certain benefits apply such as:   Universal Credit, JSA, Pension Credit (guarantee credit) and Income related ESA*

Anyone who gets Contribution based ESA** and/or PIP *** dont quality.

* If you have a private pension of >£85 pw this affects ability to claim Income related ESA.
** Those who have paid in sufficient NI contributions during certain years, or those on first year claim of ESA who have paid full NI contributions during the past 2-3 years may be on Contribution based ESA.
*** PIP (which replaced DLA) on its own does not count.

BT checks with the relevant authorities to ensure you are in receipt of an eligible benefit.

[Alex Atkin UK]

And presumably Income Support?  Or have they forgotten to tell BT that still exists?

I was very lucky as the DWP actually called me about a year after getting PIP and sorted out my Disability Premium on top of Income Support.  I was told if that hadn't happened I would likely have been migrated to Universal Credit which doesn't cater to disabled people at all.  I wonder how many people are on less than they should be due to this.

[gt94sss2]

And presumably Income Support?  Or have they forgotten to tell BT that still exists?

Yes, those on Income Support qualify as well.

Who can get a Home Essentials Plan?

Home Essentials Plans are available for anyone on one or more of these state benefits:

Universal Credit (all claimants)

Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)

Income Support

Jobseeker’s Allowance
You need to be receiving income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance to qualify for Home Essentials. People on contribution-based only JSA are not eligible. If you receive both income and contribution-based JSA, your income-based JSA must be higher.

Employment and Support Allowance
You need to be receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance to qualify for Home Essentials. People on contribution-based only ESA are not eligible. If you receive both income and contribution-based ESA, your income-based JSA must be higher.

The person in receipt of one of the above state benefits must be the BT Account Holder of the Home Essentials Plan.

From the table in https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2022/02/ofcom-finds-just-55000-uk-homes-on-a-social-broadband-tariff.html you will see a number of ISPs offer such packages but each has its own qualification criteria - Virgin Media's seems particularly limited

[adslmax]

My current ISP told me it will charged me £38.40 (inc VAT) if I move to BT Home Essentials but I am reading T&C's it stated below:

If you wish to cancel your service with us a charge of £38.40 (inc VAT) is charged to us by our supplier and we will pass this on to you. If you migrate the service away and the gaining provider carries out the process quickly then usually no charge is applicable. If you wish to cancel your service with remaining months left on your contract term, you will be required to pay us in full for any remaining time left.

But my service isn't cancel as I only want to migrate the service away from Unchained ISP to BT Home Essentials as my line rental with Unchained ISP are still with WLR with Openreach except my G.fast 330/50 are with TalkTalk Business backhaul.

I am confused - if I migrate away I should NOT be charged £38.40 (inc VAT)?

[parkdale]

Are you still in contract? Max

[jelv]

Is G.Fast an option under Home Essentials? If not this isn't migrating the existing service to a different provider, it's changing the service.

[adslmax]

Are you still in contract? Max

Two months left remaining. (May)

[adslmax]

Is G.Fast an option under Home Essentials? If not this isn't migrating the existing service to a different provider, it's changing the service.

No, Only FTTC 40/10 or 80/20 & FTTP 40/10 or 80/20 in their option. No G.fast.