In short
A BTnet leased line contract runs for the Minimum Period of Service set in your order, then continues until either side gives 30 days' notice. Charges are fixed for the minimum period unless the order says otherwise. Ending early means termination charges set by BT's terms, and cancelling after BT confirms a delivery date means cancellation charges.
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How a BTnet contract fits together
A BTnet contract is made up of three layers, and each answers different questions:
- BT's General Terms: the general conditions that apply across BT's business services, such as liability, payment and general obligations.
- The BTnet Service Schedule: the terms specific to BTnet, including the standard service, equipment, delivery, charges, changes and service levels.
- Your order: the details for your site, such as bearer, port speed, plan, options, the Minimum Period of Service, the charges and any agreed limit for excess construction charges.
The summaries on this page come from BT's published BTnet service schedule, rewritten in plain words. They are a guide, not legal advice, and the version referenced in your order is the one that applies. If something here does not match your order, the order and BT's documents win. We are happy to walk you through them before you sign.
Minimum Period of Service
The Minimum Period of Service is the minimum number of consecutive months the service runs for. It is set in your order, so the term is something you choose when you buy, from the options available for your site.
Three points about it are worth knowing:
- Your charges are fixed for the minimum period, unless the order says otherwise. Charges begin on the Service Start Date.
- The contract does not stop at the end of the term. It continues until either you or BT ends it with notice.
- Some changes start a new minimum period, including an external move to a new site and a speed change that needs new managed equipment.
BT's own advertised example is based on a 60-month term, and BT's terms refer to circuits bought on three and five year contracts. Ask us to price the terms you are considering; the BT leased line cost guide explains how term fits with the other price factors.
Ending the contract: notice and termination charges
After the Service Start Date, either side can end the service without giving a reason by giving 30 days' notice. If you end it for convenience during the Minimum Period of Service, BT's terms set out termination charges. In summary:
| When you end the service | What BT's terms say you pay |
|---|---|
| During the first 12 months of the minimum period | Outstanding charges for service already provided; any Service Introduction Charges not yet paid, per bearer; 100% of the rental for the rest of the first 12 months; and 50% of the rental for the remaining months after that |
| After the first 12 months of the minimum period | Outstanding charges for service already provided, plus 50% of the rental for the remaining months of the minimum period |
| After the minimum period has ended | The contract carries on until either side gives 30 days' notice. The termination charges in BT's schedule are tied to the Minimum Period of Service, so check your order for anything else that applies |
Two details often surprise people:
- Reducing speed just before leaving does not reduce the bill. If you flexed bandwidth down in the six months before giving notice, the termination charges are worked out on the rental before the flex.
- Resilient services count each bearer. Where there is a secondary access line, introduction charges apply per bearer, including the secondary line.
If BT ends the contract because of a material breach by the customer, the same termination charges apply. If the service is suspended first, for example for non-payment, they accrue from the date of suspension.
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Cancelling an order before go-live
Cancellation is different from termination: it covers an order you cancel before the Service Start Date. Under BT's terms:
- Before BT confirms the Customer Committed Date, cancelling does not incur a cancellation charge.
- After the Customer Committed Date is confirmed, a cancellation charge applies per bearer, set by the type and size of the bearer rather than the port speed.
- Once the bearer has been built, the cancellation charge is higher, even though the service has not started.
- For resilient services with two bearers, the charge applies to each bearer, and BT's terms add amounts based on the rental: 100% for the first 12 months of the minimum period and 50% after that.
- Costs already incurred in preparing the installation, such as agreed excess construction or managed equipment, can be charged on top.
This is why we take care to get the quote right before you order: the survey, any excess construction charges and any wayleave agreement are worth understanding before the Customer Committed Date is set.
Changes during the contract
A BTnet contract is built to allow change. The main routes are:
| Change | What BT's terms say |
|---|---|
| Bandwidth Flex | Up or down within the limits of your bearer; each flex is chargeable and runs for at least five Business Days before another request. BT's help pages add that rental changes pro rata and 72 hours' notice applies |
| Flex beyond your equipment | If the new speed is beyond the managed equipment's capacity, the equipment changes at the same time and a new Minimum Period of Service applies |
| Internal move | Moving the service within the same site, subject to survey and a time-related charge |
| External move | Moving to a new site, subject to survey; a new Minimum Period of Service applies at the new site |
| Material change | Treated like an external move when it comes to early termination charges |
| Adding options | BTnet Security is listed as an in-life option, available where the managed equipment supports it (the Meraki option) |
There is no early termination charge on an external move or material change if the first 12 months have passed, the new annual rental is the same or higher, and the new minimum period is at least as long as the time left on the old one. See Bandwidth Flex and moving office with a BTnet leased line for the detail.
Is BTnet the right fit for you?
We will check it against your systems and requirements and recommend the right option.
Charges, invoicing and credit checks
BT's terms also cover how and when you are billed:
- One-off charges, such as Service Introduction Charges, are invoiced from the Service Start Date, along with your regular charges.
- BT can invoice from the Service Start Date even if other services that depend on BTnet are not ready yet.
- If the customer causes an unreasonable delay during installation, such as not giving site access within five Business Days of BT asking, BT can charge as if the service started on the scheduled date.
- BT may carry out credit vetting and can ask for a deposit or a guarantee as security for future bills.
- Extra charges can apply in particular cases, such as investigating a fault that turns out not to be BT's, or speeding up delivery after the Customer Committed Date is set.
The BT leased line cost page explains how these fit into a quote.
Other terms worth knowing
A few more points in BT's BTnet terms are worth reading before you sign:
- Service levels. BT's SLA covers availability, on-time delivery and latency, with service credits, claim deadlines and exclusions. A missed service level is not in itself a material breach. See the BTnet SLA.
- Equipment. BT's equipment stays BT's property. You keep it safe, do not move or alter it without BT's consent, and insure it against loss or damage.
- IP addresses. Addresses and domain names provided by BT stay BT's (or its suppliers'), cannot be transferred and end with the service. See static IP addresses on BTnet.
- Card data. BTnet is not PCI DSS compliant, and BT's terms say it must not be used to process, store or transmit cardholder data.
- Security. BT does not guarantee the service against unauthorised access or use, so your own security still matters, even with BTnet Security.
- Filtering. Cleanfeed filtering is applied as standard, and you can opt out by written notice.
How we help with contract questions
We cannot change BT's terms, but we can make sure you understand them before you commit. When we send a quote, we explain the minimum period, the charges, what is subject to survey and how flex, moves and notice work for your order. During the contract, we can help you plan speed changes, moves and renewals so the timing works in your favour.
If you would like a plain-words walk-through of the terms for your site, contact us.
Why buy BTnet from Forever Communications
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group and an Authorised Supplier for BT. We supply BTnet, BT's dedicated leased line internet service, to businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations, and we help with each step from first enquiry to go-live.
- The right BTnet option for you: we help you choose a speed, bearer, router and resilience option that fits how your sites actually work, from BTnet plans to BTnet speeds
- A clear quote: BTnet is priced per site, so we check availability at your address and set out what is included; see leased line cost
- Installation managed with you: we explain the survey, any wayleave or construction steps and the installation process, and keep you updated on progress
- Connected services in one conversation: phones with BT Cloud Voice, Wi-Fi, firewalls and backup lines, so the whole set-up is planned together
- Help after go-live: we can help with faults, changes and upgrades, with the support arrangements confirmed in your quote
BTnet is a business service. Service levels, lead times and features are BT's and are confirmed at order.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a BTnet leased line contract?
The Minimum Period of Service is set in your order, from the terms available for your site. BT's own advertised example is based on a 60-month term, and its terms refer to three and five year contracts. We can price the terms you are considering.
What happens when the minimum term ends?
Under BT's terms the contract carries on until either side ends it, and either side can give 30 days' notice. Your charges were fixed for the minimum period unless the order said otherwise.
Can I cancel a BTnet order?
Yes. There is no cancellation charge before BT confirms the Customer Committed Date. After that, cancellation charges apply per bearer, and they are higher once the bearer has been built.
What are the termination charges for a BTnet leased line?
In the first 12 months: outstanding charges, unpaid introduction charges, 100% of rental for the rest of the first year and 50% for the remaining months after. After 12 months: 50% of the remaining rental.
Can I change speed during my contract?
Yes, with Bandwidth Flex within your bearer. Each flex is chargeable, and a flex that needs new managed equipment starts a new minimum period. See Bandwidth Flex.
Does moving office restart my BTnet contract?
An external move to a new site starts a new Minimum Period of Service there. Early termination charges do not apply if BT's conditions are met. See moving office with a BTnet leased line.
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