Sky TV + BT Line

[Stu G]

Thought that htis was probabaly the most appropriate forum..so here goes:

I've just moved into a new house and am seriously considering getting SKY. However, I don't have much cause to get a BT line so am just wondering what's the deal not only with SKY but also BT?

What exactly is the point of connecting your Sky digibox to the phone line? As far as I'm aware any system updates come through the dish and the phone is opnly for going online with the Active service as well as ordering Box Office films..which I wouldn't do anyway becasue of the current offer from Sky.

So while were on the subject of the phone line, can anyone help me with BT? If the phone line is pointless for connecting to Sky, can I get BT to come out and connect the line but not activate it, especially as I have a mobile phone I use and depending on what else is said in reply to my above question I may not need to connect the Sky to the phone line.

I've seen several people on the forums say that their Sky box isn't connected to the phone line, and reading the T+Cs of Sky it only says that you have to connect your box to the phone line for a minimum of 12months.

So if anyone can help me out ASAP, as the current Sky offer runs out at the end of April and I need, if necessary to organise Sky and BT.

Cheers for any help in advance, and sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

[pompeyfan]

While some do get away with not connecting, the engineer will when he installs Sky connect to a phone socket and if you don't have one he won't instal Sky. Plus to get the discounted Sky box and installation you have to agree to the min 12 month's and Sky can invoice you the full amount if you're not connected - about £300+ IIRC.

[Kryten]

Moving to Hardware Forum...

[Stu G]

Cheers for the help, and sorry for the wrong place.
Any more thoughts?

[malcy]

Someone else asked this question here about a week ago, can't find the thread now.
To repeat my comments

The contract you sign with Sky says you must be connected to the phone for the 1st 12 months of your contract. The installer will check this is done when they install the system. However you can then unplug, I did and so do loads of others.
Sky can charge you the full price of a box around £300 but if by some remote chance they complain just say they could not dial in as their was interference with your PC modem or some other excuse.

One annoying thing now is everytime you power up the Sky box you get a warning message saying phone line not connected but you can just cancel this.

However I think your case is more problematic as the engineer will want sight that the box has been connected to the phone. Its one of the things they have to signoff on. Has you house ever been connected to BT as if not the charge is around £100 + VAT (what I payed in my brand new house), if there is an existing BT line which has been switched off when the old owner moved out should be cheaper to reconnect but you may need to negotiate.
Not sure if they can insist it is BT though ? however if you only have cable phone then they probably assume you will get cable TV as well.