BT: Incoming line only

Pamelamac

For the last 11 years we have had a BT incoming calls only line-It's mainly for pensioners who want to have their relatives phone them. It cost less than £10 per quarter and suited us just fine.

This morning we got a letter from BT to say we would no longer be entitled to this facility unless we received certain income based state benefits - we don't receive them.

Therefore we are being moved on to the Unlimited Weekend Plan at £11.25 per month - over 300% increase on our current BT charges.

We will then be able to make calls on the BT line-we don't want this facility but have no option.

They even say they want National Insurance numbers for those on benefits so that they can check you do get benefits.

It seems BT are pulling out all stops to get as much money from every source.

They provided a service-an incoming line only and now they are withdrawing that service......and we are going to have to pay so much more...or maybe we should go elsewhere...

Any suggestions.....

Pamela

Heinz

Not on cutting the cost I'm afraid but, AIUI, you would still be able to bar outgoing calls (except 999) on the line.

Viper_7

How do you get on the net?

jonnie730

Hi Pam,
Just reading your post with interest as my mother in law, who is profoundly deaf, has just been given a bill where she is now paying for incoming calls only. She does not use the phone and it is really only there for relatives to call and hear her as a matter of reassurance that she is ok and also to receive the odd fax. She is however in receipt of Benefits. My question is are you allowed an incoming calls only phone when in receipt of benefits as BT say that they have gotten rid of this service all together.
And Hienz, I think the point is that the cost is the central issue as if you make no outgoing calls it matters not whether you can bar them.

macman

Are you 100% sure that you don't qualify for BT Basic?
http://www.btplc.com/inclusion/Needhelp/BTBasic/
BT have been moving people off the low-user tariffs such as BT Light User for about a year now, their argument would no doubt be that these subsidised tariffs should not be available to people who can afford to pay normal line rental, hence the means testing on BT Basic.

DVardysShadow

Pamelamac wrote: »

... Therefore we are being moved on to the Unlimited Weekend Plan at £11.25 per month - over 300% increase on our current BT charges.

Make sure that you are not signed up for a 1 year contract. You will have been transferred unwillingly.

pcombo

Viper_7 wrote: »

How do you get on the net?

You dont need a fully active line to get broadband, As long as the line has a dial tone with no incoming out outgoing calls it will work.