line active to house, no dialtone inside

[dan_boston]

i just moved into an apartment that hasnt had active phone service for a long time. i got a phone number and the phone company has activated my line, but there is no dialtone inside. they say i must pay $150 to have someone reconnect my indoor line from the box outside. what can i do to reconnect it myself? and why do they ever disconnect it in the first place? all the wires inside the box appear to be connected already--maybe not in the right spots, but at least there arent any loose ends that i noticed. thanks very much

[Mr T]

look around outside your building for a box about 6" square. it may say something like 'network interface' on it. If your in a mult-unit building make sure its YOURS first...not a good way to meet your neighbors :D . If there is more then a few units, there may be a larger box that only the phone company (possibly your landlord) can access.

If you find a box that is for your unit. theres 2 screws on it, you can remove only 1 of them, remove that screw and you should see a telephone jack with something plugged into it (if its unplugged, plug it in and check again). Unplug this jumper and plug one of your phones into it and see if you get a dialtone. (if you do, call a cell phone or a friend with caller ID to verify its your phone line) If you do not get a dialtone, the problem is onthe phone company's side..and they should not charge for repair. If you have a dialtone, but nothing in your unit once the jumper is plugged back in, theres a in building problem....your landlords responsiblity.

Also, make sure your phone company knows its a rental unit. Previous resident may not have been very good with his bills, and they want a deposit. Also contact your landlord and have them contact the phone company. 150 sounds a bit too steep.

[mdshunk]

A phonecall to the landlord might solve this problem. The inside wiring belongs to the landlord, and they often take care of these inside issues for you. I know it's the weekend, and you'd like to have the phone now. If checking the test jack on the interface box doesn't yeild dialtone, the problem is still the phone company's. If there is dialtone at the test jack, my next step would be to make a polite call to the landlord on Monday. If they have competant maintenance people, it shouldn't be a big deal.

[dan_boston]

thanks for the info---inside the network interface box there is a test jack, but there was nothing plugged into it. i am about to go home to test it with a borrowed phone. you mentioned a 'jumper' that should be plugged into the jack in the NIU--is that something i need to buy and leave in all the time? ...maybe that is the missing part that the phone company wants to charge so much to re-connect? all i have are the red and green wires and that go into a little plastic unit that also houses the (empty) test jack and then crosses over into teh telecom side of the NIU box. i think this has to be the gap in teh circuit because apparently the previous tenant had a fucntional phone, so i think the house wiring is ok (and the phone company says the line is live up to the house). i think the problem is just connecting our residential network to the phone company's line in that NIU.
thanks again so much for your assistance!
danny

[Mr T]

theres your problem!

the jack you see in the box is connected to the telco side of the box.
The (missing) jumper should go to a set of screws next to the jack, where your unit wiring connects to. Not something you can buy.

It sounds like you have your wiring that goes into your unit there. All you need is to get a correct modular plug on the end and you should be set.

I'd talk to your landlord first. They should be picking up the bill for this.

Otherwise you could take a old phone cord and cut it about 3" from the plug, and splice into your wires in the box and be all set. However I do not know if this is 'legal' or not. (modification of phone company equipment/tampering/???) Ive been told my my phone company (in ohio) that I own the network interface box and can do as i wish to it. Im sure this varies from phone co to phone co

[Jacksnap]

I've been following the post and everyone has great advice. If I may, let me add this. If you are dealing with the 'original' telco that was there from the beginning, they should be able to walk you through some trouble shooting steps (over your cell phone or whatever), without charge, to help you get service. Be sure you call the repair number.
Now, if you are dealing with a 'new' phone company; one that is in competition with the originial company, then things can get much more difficult to fathom out. In most cases, the 'new' phone company is just using the original telco lines and paying 'rent' for the privilage to do so.

Something else. The original telco 'inventories' every single pair of wires to your location, right to the apt number and extension, and between the CO (central office). If someone, like the apt maintenance person or previous tenant or other tenants moves any of the wires in the box you are dealing with on the outside (or in a telco room in the building) then the 'inventory' gets screwed up. If that happens, you'll have no choice then to get repair out to your location to straighten out. You may or may not be charged.
The best advice has already been given to you in previousl posts... "get your landlord involved"!