Moved into new flat - Getting a phone line set-up

rossallan

I've just moved into a new flat (on Appian Way, Ranelagh) and i'm having no end of problems trying to get a phone line set-up.

The first thing i did was give Eircom a call so i could get an account set-up. I was told that the line wasn't controlled by them and they couldn't tell me who controlled it, not a great start.

Luckily i managed to get the previous tenants contact details and discovered the line was with Smart Telecom.

I give Smart a call and ask if I can create an account. They tell me that there is an account already active (the previous tenants, which he says he cancelled) and the only way for me to get an account is for the active account to be cancelled first (there's an outstanding balance, which the previous tenant said he's paid) and have the line transferred back to Eircom where i can then get a phone number etc.

Is there anything i can actually do to get a phone line? It seems crazy that they can't set-up an account for me until the previous account is cancelled. The way things are going i can see myself without a phone line (and broadband) for a long time while the previous tenant argues with Smart about getting the account closed.

The previous tenant also now lives in the US to make things more complicated.

Any help is much appreciated!

Marathon_Man

Try making a complaint to Comreg. They will advise the correct process.


http://www.askcomreg.ie/tell_us/making_a_complaint_about_your_service_provider.241.LE.asp

antoinolachtnai

I would ask on the broadband forum about this, some of the people there have a good knowledge of how the whole unbundling process works.

This should not happen. The line ultimately belongs to eircom, not smart. If smart don't pay rent on the line to eircom, eircom will take the line back.

nanook

Had this very same problem when we moved into our house. Previous owner had claimed he cancelled the line, faxed bt a cancellation letter on the day he moved out, which no one could verify receiving.

It is alot of problems to get the existing line cancelled, and what we did in the end was get a brand new number installed and took the hit on the installation.
My advice would be get a new line, it is alot easier then dealing with a third party who will not help you as there is an allegd outstanding bill.

mcaul

Other options -

Cable

Digiweb

Mobile