Is there a BT NTP (network termination point) in your new house? (the master phone socket which splits in two bits for extension wiring)
[NB: the NTL ones are exactly the same bar corporate logo)
if there is 7 weeks seems way too long, unless there are no spare pairs in the CPC box (green street box) or capacity at the local concentrator (the bits your phone line connects to)
I’d put in a formal complaint over the delay and ask why the service transfer is taking so long, and say you will contact ofcom if it is not resolved. They probably won’t do the work any quicker but may drop the price, as the contract you have with them also binds them to provide you with a service in a timely manner or compensate you accordingly.
If they do not have capacity at the local exchange then surely the contract is void as they cannot provide you with a service..
The wider problem though is that market conditions have created a duopoly of fixed line providers, only BT or NTL do copper pairs to residential houses so its one or the other – I get the impression they carve up the market between them as well depending on what capacity is there
In some areas they actually do not want new customers because it costs more to put in the new cables then they are worth, digging up roads and putting in poles is expensive now the work is subcontracted and also moaning nimbys complain about kit like poles, and street furniture (the boxes which contain the kit where your line goes to) being put in their area (ironically, probably using the telephone or internet!)
BT can pass on the entire cost of providing the telephone line to the consumer, its from £35 to £150 depending on where they are but can even be more! I have seen reports of old grannies being quoted thousands (£3000+) for single phone line installs because they either live out in the sticks or their area has exhausted its cable capacity and BT are passing on the full cost of a multipair cable install..
in all these cases BT have refused to back down and even told them to get a mobile or go to NTL!
I’d still try making a formal complaint to see if you can either get the work brought forward or the price reduced…..
