BT Low User Scheme & Internet

sco0ter

What about another provider like UKonline or Bulldog who dont use BT equipment. I know they use the line to the house but not in the exchange so would this still be the same??

Dora_the_Explorer_5

The light user scheme was introduced quite a while ago as it was unfair that light users should pay the same costs as heavy users; as the vast majority of light users are usually older people BT demonstrated with this scheme they had a social conscious as a phone can literally be a lifesaver for an older person who may live on their own and this is the population group on the lowest income.
The number of calls that can be made under the light user scheme would make it unsuitable for families.
Excluding people who have a mobile phone probably shows that BT have yet to catch up with the times as many older people may have been given a mobile phone by their family for emergency use when they are away from their home phone and they may make little use of it but it gives them and their families peace of mind.
Perhaps some people think that retired people are not so badly off really and don't need this 'help' from BT, but many older people may have their finances balanced on a knife edge and anything that minimises their outgoings is a great help to them. Remember, it's older people who die of cold in the winter because they economise on heating.
If anyone still feels that retired people are generally financially ok, have a think about what I suspect will now become a rush to close down or change final salary pension schemes and what that might mean for those retiring in twenty or so years. The future may not be as rosy as it was a couple of years ago, with possibly two thirds of retired people having to claim benefits in the not too far distant future.
If governements weren't committed to privatising everything bar the cat's dinner then BT could provide low line rental, and BBC free licences for all retired people - with far lower bureaucratic costs than a claim for benefits to cover those charges would entail.

Ken68

Hi Bella....I'm a Low User, on dial-up and have an online account with BT and oftenmake enquiries, so think BT don't really mind. (and, well said Dora)

bunking_off

Dora_the_Explorer wrote:

If governements weren't committed to privatising everything bar the cat's dinner then BT could provide low line rental, and BBC free licences for all retired people - with far lower bureaucratic costs than a claim for benefits to cover those charges would entail.

Dora

Agreed your views until the final bit. If you compare the cost of telecoms now with 20 years ago, and how costs have fallen in the UK versus those places that still have a state monopoly, you'll see that the costs have very much come down due to competition. Since the mid 80s, in becoming more efficient they've got rid of approx 70% of their headcount, with more to go (which is unfortunate for the employees, but ultimately staff costs are the highest outgoing so if you want lower bills, that's a good place to start). Would BT have done this had they been a state-owned monopoly? Doubt it, they didn't do it in the years preceding this. Remember the times of there being a waiting list to get a phone, and you paid the GPO a monthly rental for your phone handset equivalent to what it costs to buy a new one now?

They have a lot going for them, and compared to their counterparts overseas are reasonably efficient, but don't fool yourself : BT have never done anything out of the goodness of their hearts.

bbb_uk

Paul_VW wrote:

well I think the low user sceme is twisted - BT are rewarding people that give them less custom!!!!

True but they pay more for their calls and as well as not able to use (well not meant to) use the internet, you also can't use other cheaper call providers like Call1899, TalkTalk, etc.

BT have tried to get rid of this low user scheme but Ofcom have said they can't as its mainly used for older people who make very, very little calls and mostly just used for incoming calls with the odd outgoing call.

I don't think other teleco's offer this as it must be considered a loss-maker for them and I think this is reason why BT don't openly advertise BT Light User scheme and instead it's hidden away on their website. You basically have to know it exists to search for it.

Lady_K

Is this scheme still going?

normanmark

Lady_K wrote: »

Is this scheme still going?

Light User Scheme is still available, however it is still an incompatible product with broadband.

Lady_K

Thanx, how much is it a month? I wouldnt need it for broadband its for a second line is there a max you can use it?

JayTee99_2

well like someone said above, it is very restricted, not supposed to be used on a second line or if you have mobile access. Have a read of this

http://www.bt.com/customerservices/downloads/light_user_scheme.pdf

Lady_K

I just wondered if it had changed at all because these messages on here are quite old and a lot has been happening with bt and virgin since they were posted.

I had not read that link but I notice that it is also quite old because of the prices in it. I couldnt find anything myself more up to date as I checked before posting here. Maybe some of the rules will still be the same though so according to that I cannot use it on a 2nd line which really isnt any use to me if it still stands.

I asked on here because I spoke to the department for moving back to bt last week, I asked about any low user scheme and she said she wasnt sure if the low user was still available but if it was I could definitely have it on my 2nd phoneline. She didn't sound too knowledgeable at all though and wasn't convincing or sure of anything really. She gave me all the wrong prices for everything and said an engineer couldnt come round to check the wiring before I booked to move over to them because they only come on the day booked to move it. She said there wasnt any way of telling if I could move both lines or even the main one over till he has a look at the wiring on the day. I asked what would happen if they couldnt, she said they do an emergency reconection with virgin but that doesnt help me coz I will have lost my loyalty package by then more than likely.

It has to be worth it for me to move, I have to say I have rang twice to bt over the last year or so regarding moving back and both experiences left me with a bad impression of customer service. I thought if they are like this with potential returning customers the ones they already have can't be very well looked after. They just didnt seem bothered if I went back or not and werent sure of anything