BT to amend residential prices - the ups and downs

izatu

bbb_uk wrote:

We're talking about the "rounding" up of the call for any call that does not exactly end on a whole minute.

Ooops !

Info is also here

http://www2.bt.com/static/i/btretail/consumer/update/index.html

ETA As yet, there doesn't appear to have been a notification to OFCOM of this change.

bbb_uk

izatu wrote:

As yet, there doesn't appear to have been a notification to OFCOM of this change.

Do they still need to inform Ofcom now that BT have all this freedom?

jonesmj1

I have just received a "price cutting" announcement from BT. In the small print it seems to say that the cost of dialling an 0870 number will be reduced from 7.51 p a minute to 7.11p a minute. However, they will be introducing a new call set-up fee of 3p and rounding up call times to the next full minute. So - if my maths is correct,a one minute call to 0870 will "reduce" from 7.51p to 10.11p (an increase of 34.6%) and a 1 minute 10 second call will "reduce" from 8.76p to 17.22p (an increase of over 96%).

There will be similar, though less dramatic, effects on daytime calls to geographic numbers - they are abolishing the 5.5p minimum charge, but the new minimum charge will be 6p! A 1 minute 10 second call will "reduce" from 5.5p to 9p - a cool 63% increase.

Somebody tell me I'm dreaming, please!

Heinz

Welcome to the MSE forums jonesmj1

No, you're not dreaming - BT now employs government smoke and mirrors processes in an attempt to fool the punters.

Although I take your point about the 1m10s peak geographical call and the dramatic % increase there, I think BT's cleverly imposed 9% price hike for peak 01/02 calls (which, from 1/10/06, will cost 3p call set-up fee + 3p for a rounded up one minute instead of 5½p minimum call charge) is the real money-spinner for them. Just think of the numerous 10 second calls made by those who get someone's 1571 'service' because they were already engaged on another call! I've dumped 1571 and urge eveyone to do the same BTW.

Miroslav

I received my bill today, with it was a letter from Ofcom, saying they have, from 01/08/06, "ended the formal controls on the cost of phone line rentals and calls from BT"

Is this anything to do with it? I fear BT will increase line rental

This is the letter

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/itsyourcall

utilitybroker

Miroslav wrote:

I received my bill today, with it was a letter from Ofcom, saying they have, from 01/08/06, "ended the formal controls on the cost of phone line rentals and calls from BT"

Is this anything to do with it? I fear BT will increase line rental

This is the letter

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/itsyourcall

What it means in a nutshell is that the handcuffs have been removed and BT know longer have to seek approval to change prices.So they are now competing on a level playing field with other suppliers.

Their are no indications that they plan to increase line rental.

bbb_uk

Miroslav wrote:

I fear BT will increase line rental

Ofcom got some verbal agreements from BT with regards to line rental increases but have chosen to keep the verbal agreements to themselves at the request of BT. Therefore, us consumers have no idea what agreements have been made. It could be something like they wont increase linerental more than 50p in a year or more than £1 in a year. Basically, it could be anything and we have no idea.

Most responses to Ofcom's consultation on this asked that Ofcom keep the linerental under regulation but as usual with Ofcom they have gone their own way and ignored most responses.

loates123

MOCHA wrote:

I'd say no because you're tied in for at least 18 months. Check the small print carefully before rushing in.

surly it is as u get free calls

i also have free caller display from bt would i still get this if i go for this.
if not bt who can i go to without losing my free bt caller display

utilitybroker

loates123 wrote:

surly it is as u get free calls

i also have free caller display from bt would i still get this if i go for this.
if not bt who can i go to without losing my free bt caller display

Keep your line rental with BT.

No need for a 18 month contract. Sign up with Primus Saver 2 for Free Evening and Weekend Calls.

http://www.planet-talk.co.uk/SaverProducts.aspx?source=saver

Use https://www.1899.com for your peak calls.

As long as you put a couple of calls via BT each month using the 1280 override service,your keep your Free caller display.

loates123

ok can u tell me more how the above works .