Written question asked by David Mackintosh (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 June 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 June 2016. It was answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 July 2016 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

BT Group: Fees and Charges

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if his Department will investigate reports that BT is installing and charging for telephone lines for customers who have not requested one and who are only customers of fibre optic services.

Answer: The Department’s understanding is that BT Openreach installs fibre and other services, ordered by communications providers for their customers. This includes fibre broadband services, most of which require a copper line to be installed in order to provide a telephone service. Assurance has been provided by BT that they would not provide a telephone service, or any other chargeable service, without the customer’s knowledge and authorisation. However, should this for any reason be the case, then consumers are advised to seek redress through the usual protections that are in place.

Secondary information