Broadband 'Activation' Process

rubberduck · 12 Jun 2013 at 23:41

This question is simply for my own curiosity... I need no help beyond that:

Ok so presuming you have a phone line and want to get a broadband service over that phone line you have to go through an 'activation' process of some sort... Usually this takes upwards of one week but I am curious as to why it takes so long. I understand something has to be enabled 'at the exchange' in order for you to receive broadband but beyond that what has to be done and why should it take 1 week plus? In short, I guess what I am asking is why cant the process be completed within 1 working day if it is a simple switch flip?

starfighter · 13 Jun 2013 at 05:15

The ISP will have to do a few things at their side but this is most likely automated and doesn't take long, a BT engineer has to go to the exchange and connect your line up.

It could easily be done in 1 day but BT Openreach are slow.

howayman · 14 Jun 2013 at 13:41

Most of it is down to billing and the admin side. As with any new product you have a cancellation period, then if you are transferring from one provider to another they are hardly going to rush you through after the cancellation period expires just because you want to leave (not you personally, just a general you). They need to make sure your bills have been tallied and settled.

Then they give permission for the transfer. Your new provider then can make the appointment with the engineer and set up your account.

I always figure its an agreement they have with each other so that you never ever get your month in advance back.

#Chri5# · 14 Jun 2013 at 14:35

You can pay extra to fast track an order, gets ADSL live in 1 to 2 working days. Will cost you an extra £150 or so though.

demonix · 14 Jun 2013 at 15:17

#Chri5# said:
You can pay extra to fast track an order, gets ADSL live in 1 to 2 working days. Will cost you an extra £150 or so though.

You don't have to pay for quicker activation as mine was activated an hour or so after the phone line was installed (It might have been because it was a new line install, but I didn't connect the equipment for another 24 hours to be safe and it connected with no problems).

KIA · 14 Jun 2013 at 20:48

demonix said:
It might have been because it was a new line install.

It was. It's known as a simultaneous provide.