BT Low User and 1899

Tobyjug6

Has anyone realised that BT block the 1899 and presumably other similar access numbers, if you register on their low user tariff ?
Does anyone know if they can legitimately do this ?

Fuzzy_2

Had this happen 10 years ago, when we used a Mercury box. We had light user for about 2 years, then they put a block on it. They didn't tell us they were going to do it, just found one day it didn't work.

GeoThermal

It seems reasonable enough to me. The point of the low user scheme is that you make very few calls. Also I think the light user works on a rebate system, the less calls you make, the more refund you get. I don't know if BT logs what calls are made via a prefix number but if not BT "could" in a sense be paying you to use someone else. You can't have broadband with it although a few seem to have manged to. You are also not supposed to have a mobile phone either!

I suppose you could argue that you are only going to make a very small amount of calls a month using 1899 so you are still a low user but I doubt you would get far. Depending on how many calls you actually make you may be better off with Together Option 1.

pricefighter

Tobyjug6 wrote:

Has anyone realised that BT block the 1899 and presumably other similar access numbers, if you register on their low user tariff ?
Does anyone know if they can legitimately do this ?

Yes and Yes.

If it was possible to combine the two every one and their brother would be doing it.

bunking_off

Correct. It's made crystal clear in the T&Cs, first item;

It is important to note that customers are not eligible for the Light User Scheme if they have a telephone service provided by another supplier, either directly or indirectly.

LUS is provided by BT to meet a regulatory obligation for provision of lifeline service to people who make few calls but need a phone. It's cross-subsidised from other line rental/call charges. It is not intended for people to get cheap rental then send their calls via an alternate provider.

Steve_xx

Tobyjug6 wrote:

Has anyone realised that BT block the 1899 and presumably other similar access numbers, if you register on their low user tariff ?
Does anyone know if they can legitimately do this ?

You would still be able to access 1899 via their 08 access codes.

Heinz

Steve_xx wrote:

You would still be able to access 1899 via their 08 access codes.

Although, if that is so, it would, of course, still breach the LUS T&Cs.

It is important to note that customers are not eligible for the Light User Scheme if they have a telephone service provided by another supplier, either directly or indirectly.

Steve_xx

Heinz wrote:

Although, if that is so, it would, of course, still breach the LUS T&Cs.

Yes I understand that this is so.

Blue_Cat_5

I too have just found this out and am pretty furious, it is no help to have to pay 13p/min or 10p; it would rack up in no time. Also it took BT 7 months to get me onto it and only an email to the chairman's office. Ikept being asked to phone numbers manned by non native speakers who either I could not hear or they did not understand at all. I was not told we could not use these other suppliers, but I have just found we can use the Over Ride ones in Martin's info. It just makes BT into con artists - they will continue to lose customers if they do this sort of thing when pretending to have a cheaper service for low income users.

KimYeovil

Tobyjug6 wrote: »

Has anyone realised that BT block the 1899 and presumably other similar access numbers, if you register on their low user tariff ?

Instead of complaining about BT you should contact the provider of the access service and ask them to supply your line rental for an acceptable price. I wonder how much they would charge?