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[MSE Lawrence]

Earlier today, BT announced that from 16 Jan 2009, 0870/0845 numbers will be included in its free call packages. In other words, if you’ve got free ‘weekend’ calls, then call an 0870 number at the weekend and it will be free, though you will pay up to 6p/min at other times.

This only applies to BT call packages, those with other providers such as TalkTalk or Primus will still pay the normal amount. If you have a BT basic line rental option, and use another provider for calls, dial 1280 before calling and it usually means you’re making a BT call and thus you'll be charged at BT's standard rate, which, while not free is still cheaper than Sky/Virgin rates. As pointed out below though, due to some changes in the billing system, this isn't possible with every provider. (see BT's statement)

This change does not applies to Internet Service Provider connection calls, or indirect access calls (where you call through to another phone provider, as with callchecker numbers).

So far, Virgin & TalkTalk have been unavailable for comment on whether they've any plans to follow suit.

Watch Martin's 0870 changes videocast about this, and please leave feedback on it below.

[utilitybroker]

Originally Posted by MSE Lawrence

If you have a BT basic line rental option, and use another provider for calls, dial 1280 before calling and it means you’re making a BT call and thus it will be free.

Thats not always possible any more,it depends on what call supplier you are using.Using 1280 with some suppliers EG: Sky Talk will result in you being charged by them at their rates.

See this thread: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...html?t=1072413

[Jemma-T]

News http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/01..._premium_cuts/

Smoke and mirrors or a real deal? Wait for the small print.

[Heinz]

Originally Posted by MSE Lawrence

Earlier today, BT announced that from 16 Jan 2009, 0870/0845 numbers will be included in its free call packages. In other words, if you’ve got free ‘weekend’ calls, then call an 0870 number at the weekend and it will be free, though you will pay up to 6p/min at other times.

This only applies to BT call packages, those with other providers such as TalkTalk or Primus will still pay the normal amount. If you have a BT basic line rental option, and use another provider for calls, dial 1280 before calling and it means you’re making a BT call and thus it will be free.

I think you're wrong there.

AIUI, subscribers to BT's Unlimited Anytime Plan or to BT's Unlimited Evening & Weekend Plan will then additionally get inclusive calls to 0845/0870 numbers evenings and weekends BUT subscribers to BT's Unlimited Weekend Plan will get nothing extra.

[ScRiMpNsAvE]

Does anyone know whether other 08 numbers, such as 0844, are included in this?

[davegthomas]

That is why Bt is letting you use 0870 for nothing - as everyone and their dog has changed to the more expensive 084 numbers!

Not a lot will ever be FREE!

[will-in-estoril]

Originally Posted by Heinz

I think you're wrong there.

AIUI, subscribers to BT's Unlimited Anytime Plan or to BT's Unlimited Evening & Weekend Plan will then additionally get inclusive calls to 0845/0870 numbers evenings and weekends BUT subscribers to BT's Unlimited Weekend Plan will get nothing extra.

http://www.btplc.com/News/Articles/S...2-177450ecd870

Statement refers to 'all of our 14m customers' and uses the example of a Saturday morning call as a cost comparison, both of which imply that the Unlimited Weekend Plan is included.

[davegthomas]

Here is another reason for the change:

Changes will be made by telecoms watchdog OfCom, which will see businesses with 0870 numbers charged for calls which have in the past either generated revenue, or were received free of charge.

A lack of clarity has provoked complaints from businesses and consumers alike, who expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of non-geographical calls compared with local equivalents.

As a result, businesses with 0870 numbers are being urged to update current 0870 numbers with 0871 or 0872 in order to continue receiving the same revenue share, and avoid paying hefty new call charges.

[diamonds]

Awesome ! I use 18185 from my mobile, now I can use my unlimited weekend calls.......FREE! did i ever think i'd say a good word about BT - NO lol

[McKneff]

just adding more confusion. I have just changed my line rental to sky but i only had the basic package from BT. Never mind, i have great success with saynoto0870 so i shall continue to use it. Like one poster says, smoke and mirrors.

[omelette451]

In case Martin reads this thread, and since it's at least partly about the videocasts themselves, can I make the suggestion that a transcript be made available (or at the very least a more detailed synopsis be made available) too? I don't have a problem with videocasting and think it's a great idea for some people, just that I personally prefer to read than be spoken to online.

[jhp]

Originally Posted by anniehanlon

Like one poster says, smoke and mirrors.

Please explain how allowing 0845/0870 calls in inclusive minutes is smoke and mirrors.

[Jemma-T]

BT like any business use smoke and mirrors. That's business. Difference is we need utilities and have money to spend so they will lie, misinform or do whatever they can to get the business.

I watched that little video of Martin's and I nearly shat* my pants when he clapped his hands. Easy Martin please


*Nice to see that the past tense of to sh** isn't banned [yet]

[Heinz]

I'm still uncertain about what is actually on offer.

The following paragraph implies that customers on any of the Call Plans (Unlimited Weekend Plan, Unlimited Evening & Weekend Plan and Unlimited Anytime Plan) will get inclusive 0845/0870 calls during the periods for which they already get inclusive 01/02/03 calls:

All of our 14m calls customers have free calls included in their package and now all 14m have free calls to 0870 and 0845 at times that fit with their calling plan, which is something not offered by any of our competitors.

However, only the Unlimited Anytime and Unlimited Evening & Weekend plans are mentioned in the preceding paragraphs:

An Anytime customer will now get their calls to these numbers for free – as well as all their calls to UK landlines and great rates on mobile calls – for just £4.85 a month, which works out at less than the cost of a second class stamp a day.

A customer who is on the Evening and Weekend package will get their 0870 and 0845 calls for free, as well as their UK landline calls, after 6pm every day and all weekend.

[MSE Lawrence]

Originally Posted by Heinz

I think you're wrong there.

AIUI, subscribers to BT's Unlimited Anytime Plan or to BT's Unlimited Evening & Weekend Plan will then additionally get inclusive calls to 0845/0870 numbers evenings and weekends BUT subscribers to BT's Unlimited Weekend Plan will get nothing extra.

I've just had confirmation from BT's press office that Unlimited Weekends package customers WILL get the free 0870/0845 calls included at weekends. I agree though, the lack of a specific mention in the press release was confusing.

Originally Posted by ScRiMpNsAvE

Does anyone know whether other 08 numbers, such as 0844, are included in this?

The changes will only impact 0870/0845. All other non-geographical numbers will be charged at the usual rates. There are no current plans to change these.

[payless]

Which will add to even more confusion as companies move to 0844 and 0871 which wil be chargeable

[ScRiMpNsAvE]

Originally Posted by MSE Lawrence

The changes will only impact 0870/0845. All other non-geographical numbers will be charged at the usual rates. There are no current plans to change these.

Thanks for clarifying that Lawrence.

Originally Posted by payless

Which will add to even more confusion as companies move to 0844 and 0871 which wil be chargeable

I agree. Hopefully come April a backlash of irate and confused bill-yielding customers will rectify that soon enough.

[derrick]

Originally Posted by MSE Lawrence

Earlier today, BT announced that from 16 Jan 2009, 0870/0845 numbers will be included in its free call packages. In other words, if you’ve got free ‘weekend’ calls, then call an 0870 number at the weekend and it will be free, though you will pay up to 6p/min at other times.

This only applies to BT call packages, those with other providers such as TalkTalk or Primus will still pay the normal amount. If you have a BT basic line rental option, and use another provider for calls, dial 1280 before calling and it usually means you’re making a BT call and thus it will be free. As pointed out below though, due to some changes in the billing system, this isn't true of every provider. (see BT's statement)

This change does not applies to Internet Service Provider connection calls, or indirect access calls (where you call through to another phone provider, as with callchecker numbers).

So far, Virgin & TalkTalk have been unavailable for comment on whether they've any plans to follow suit.

Watch Martin's 0870 changes videocast about this, and please leave feedback on it below.

I do not think that is the case, I have CPS with Virgin, (free calls w/e and evening, don't use them during daytime), and pay line rental to BT, therefore as I am not on a "package" with BT I do not think that those calls will be "free" at any time, as this suggests that I could dial 1280 and get the "free" calls during the day, that is obviously incorrect as one would need to be on the anytime package for that! Please correct me if I am wrong.

[regulator]

This is what was written on the BT Staff website:

BT £24m giveaway helps 14m customers say no to 0870
BT today offered some New Year cheer to 14 million customers by becoming the first UK telephone company to make calls to 0870 and 0845 numbers free.

Customers have often complained that their calling packages did not include the 0870 and 0845 numbers which are frequently used by banks, insurance companies and even doctor’s surgeries.

Calls to these numbers cost more than usual, with Sky and Virgin charging around 10p a minute for a daytime 0870 call.

BT has always charged much cheaper rates, but has now decided to go even further. In a move costing BT tens of millions, the company has decided to give customers what they want by including 0870 and 0845 numbers in call packages.*

An Anytime customer will now get their calls to these numbers for free – as well as all their calls to UK landlines and great rates on mobile calls – for just £4.85 a month, which works out at less than the cost of a second class stamp a day.

A customer who is on the Evening and Weekend package will get their 0870 and 0845 calls for free, as well as their UK landline calls, after 6pm every day and all weekend.

No UK phone company has ever included these call types in their packages before, because 0845 and 0870 numbers generate large revenues for the banks, utility firms and other organisations that use them.

However, customers resented the high charges for 0870 and 0845 numbers, especially as the organisations using them were seen to be making a profit from them. Campaigners even set up a web site to let customers know other numbers to call the same companies, called saynoto0870.

The Government recently announced a review of doctors and NHS departments using 084 numbers, because customers complained they should not be charged more to call for medical help.

John Petter, managing director of BT’s Consumer business, said: “We know that the public is frustrated by having to pay higher charges for these numbers, even though BT’s rates were cheaper than our rivals, so we worked out a way to go further and include calls to 0870 and 0845 numbers in our call packages.

“These numbers are widely used by banks, utilities and even NHS Direct, and our customers spend 30 minutes a month on average calling these numbers. We hope we have taken a sting out of the price of these calls, but also removed one of those irritations that customers believed was an unfair anomaly.

“All of our 14m calls customers have free calls included in their package and now all 14m have free calls to 0870 and 0845 at times that fit with their calling plan, which is something not offered by any of our competitors.”
*excludes ISP dial-up numbers and indirect access numbers. Full details at bt.com.
The table below shows how much you can save on a 10-minute call made on a Saturday morning:

BT Virgin Media Talk Talk Tiscali Sky Post Office
0845 Numbers FREE 75p 26p 45p 67p 10p
0870 Numbers FREE £1.04 65p 85p £1.07 20p


Prices correct at time of going to print. Comparison based on pence-per-minute rates and set-up fees charged after 8am at the weekend (correct December 2008). Competitor monthly line rental costs from £11 (Virgin Media), £10.50 (TalkTalk), £10.99 (Tiscali), £10 (Sky) and £10.72 (Post Office). Content of packages vary and prices quoted exclude calling circle discounts, where applicable.

[gunmaker]

I will be interested to see if all the Government departments, eg, Tax, Pensions, DVLA,etc, change their 0845 numbers for other chargeable numbers. I know OFCOM is looking into this rip off with premiom rate numbers,the sooner they come up with a response the better.