Cheapest Home Phones Article Discussion

jwL_2

I have been using Martin's recommendations for cheap international calls for years now. However, a disturbing message has appeared in the latest "rate" declaration messages from the operator. All of them!

The typical message goes "Welcome to XXX; call charges are XX p per minute"... to which they now add "plus network charges".

What? What does that mean?

I mean "netork charges can be anything from 5p to 100p ripping off all the savings!

Anybody heard this? Any ideas of what these hidden charges are? Any alternatives?

Thanks! :money:

Heinz

That just means you line provider's call set-up fee (connection charge). They all make such a charge now.

The MSE Callcheckers show you the connection charge your line provider will charge for calls to gateway numbers like 0844 xxx xxxx.

For example, if you're searching for a way to call an Australian landline and you select BT as your line provider, the cheapest option shows the connection charge is 11.5p (it'll go up to 12.5p on 28 April) and the call cost as 0.51p/minute. Hence, the call will cost 11.5p connection + 0.51p/minute (or part minute).

kad1

antonio1 wrote: »

Ditto. There seem to be no crystal clear alternative recommendations beyond paying BT a year's advance line rental. Have a look at the thread entitled "Primus Saver rip-off".

i had a look at that thread, thanks. looks like i'd better just stick with BT...

jwL_2

Heinz wrote: »

That just means you line provider's call set-up fee (connection charge). They all make such a charge now.

The MSE Callcheckers show you the connection charge your line provider will charge for calls to gateway numbers like 0844 xxx xxxx.

For example, if you're searching for a way to call an Australian landline and you select BT as your line provider, the cheapest option shows the connection charge is 11.5p (it'll go up to 12.5p on 28 April) and the call cost as 0.51p/minute. Hence, the call will cost 11.5p connection + 0.51p/minute (or part minute).

Thanks, Heinz... I was hopeful that this was only a connection charge. All the best.

utilitybroker

Heinz wrote: »

That just means you line provider's call set-up fee (connection charge). They all make such a charge now.

The MSE Callcheckers show you the connection charge your line provider will charge for calls to gateway numbers like 0844 xxx xxxx.

For example, if you're searching for a way to call an Australian landline and you select BT as your line provider, the cheapest option shows the connection charge is 11.5p (it'll go up to 12.5p on 28 April) and the call cost as 0.51p/minute. Hence, the call will cost 11.5p connection + 0.51p/minute (or part minute).

A rare supplier that does not,access is via a geographical access number.

" no connection or service charges. "

http://www.localphone.com/call/australia

HitmanAgent47

Looked at the phone/broadband article and it said use primus for line rental and plusnet for broadband, but you can't get broadband from plusnet unless you sign up for line rental with them. Article needs updating.

Victor_Delta

HitmanAgent47 wrote: »

Looked at the phone/broadband article and it said use primus for line rental and plusnet for broadband, but you can't get broadband from plusnet unless you sign up for line rental with them. Article needs updating.

Are you absolutely sure about this? Where does it say so?

My understanding is that you don't have to take their line rental package but, if you do, the £25 activation fee is waived.

V

billsavings

HitmanAgent47 wrote: »

Looked at the phone/broadband article and it said use primus for line rental and plusnet for broadband, but you can't get broadband from plusnet unless you sign up for line rental with them. Article needs updating.

It does not because you can get Broadband only.All you need is a BT line or a BT similar line eg primus.

See http://www.plus.net/broadband/

bronzie

Just seen the bit about BT raising its prices again in Martins email. Would I be right in thinking that they only work for people out of contract though, I am contracted until October and they wont let me have the line rental saver as I got my line connected at a discounted rate. Are there any options to me?

Nemesis201077

Has anyone got some advice for me on my home phone/broadband/TV Packages?
I've got a bit of a complex set-up really. I have Sky+ TV downstairs in a house where I sublet rooms (the tenants would go spare if there wasn't sky TV).
I have the phone, broadband and upstairs television via Virgin.
I think my cheapest option to consolodate all this is one of the Sky packages, perhaps a multi-room. There is one major snag though, even though I have previously had BT lines, BT tell me these are no-longer connected, so would need to pay a reconnetion fee plus engineers fees.
So if I want to get away from virgin and just have Sky I think I'm pretty stuffed, £160 to have the BT line reconnected seems pretty steep (especially as it's be done in 30 seconds) I suppose there's the option of having it all with BT, which seems to be a good price for a budle, but lets face it, the TV package is rubbish.
So what do I do? how can I get my BT line re-activated without having to pay £160 to BT? there must be a way.
Any help /advice appreciated