BT social tariff...madness

Tupperware_Queen

My ex was looking into getting a the BT Basic social tariff - mainly so that there is a landline at his property in case there is a problem with the mobile, and so that when he is out, if the kids are at his, they can use a phone if needs be.

He has been accepted for the BT basic, which is £13.50 a quarter, so that is affordable.....HOWEVER......they want a connection fee of £127.99 (when they are doing it for £30 if you pay for full service) and a £50 deposit (presumably in case he runs up a bill). How is this meant to help people on a limited income get access to a phone line?? I'm at a loss of what to suggest....any ideas anyone??

KimYeovil

Why is that mad? Who do you think should pay for the connection? Are you suggesting that the line subscription of those who are currently paying £3 per month should have their subscription bumped up to, say, £9 per month to pay for the unusual connection?

The vast majority of householders already have a BT line installed and it costs pennies to hook them up to the social tariff. There is no reason why they should subsidise the unusual and expensive demands of a minority.

McKneff

Are you sure its £13.50 a quarter and not per month.

Phone boxes are still available in Britian.

If he is on such a low income, how does he afford a mobile.

KimYeovil

McKneff wrote: »

Are you sure its £13.50 a quarter and not per month.

Phone boxes are still available in Britian.

If he is on such a low income, how does he afford a mobile.

BT Basic is £4.50 per month (£3 line rental and £1.50 call charge bundle (at 10p per minute - so only 30 minutes per quarter).)

Mobiles are very cheap - they cost from about 20p per year (where that 20p is two six monthly nominal calls or texts to keep the sim live.)

Ypaymore

BT Basic is now £13.80 a quarter.

http://www.bt.com/includingyou/other-products-services-bt-basic.html?s_cid=con_FURL_btbasic

But you may not be able to get BT Basic if you have a phone service provided by another company.

KimYeovil

(Yes, just noticed the new price - so £3.10 plus £1.50 call bundle. And you get less than half an hour of chat - it is 3p call connection and 10.2p per minute.)

Tupperware_Queen

McKneff wrote: »

Are you sure its £13.50 a quarter and not per month.

Phone boxes are still available in Britian.

If he is on such a low income, how does he afford a mobile.

yes its a quarter

actually there are a lot less phone boxes than there used to be.....in truth, its a good 15 min walk to the closest coin box from where he lives - not much help tbh

he has a PAYG mobile and tops up when he can afford it (not that its any of your business!!)

Tupperware_Queen

KimYeovil wrote: »

Why is that mad? Who do you think should pay for the connection? Are you suggesting that the line subscription of those who are currently paying £3 per month should have their subscription bumped up to, say, £9 per month to pay for the unusual connection?

The vast majority of householders already have a BT line installed and it costs pennies to hook them up to the social tariff. There is no reason why they should subsidise the unusual and expensive demands of a minority.

I merely think that if the connection cost is reduced to £30 for 'normal' customers, its unfair to charge social tariff almost 5 times as much

And not all houses have a connection - just having a phone socket does not mean you don't pay connection. The previous tenant disconnected the line before leaving, hence he has to pay the charge.

Tupperware_Queen

oh, and I was looking for some constructive advice on how to get a landline at his property - mainly so I can keep in contact with my children, and know that they can contact me when they want, without relying on their dad having credit on his phone.

sorry if that seems unreasonable

McKneff

Tupperware_Queen wrote: »

yes its a quarter

actually there are a lot less phone boxes than there used to be.....in truth, its a good 15 min walk to the closest coin box from where he lives - not much help tbh

he has a PAYG mobile and tops up when he can afford it (not that its any of your business!!)

There really isnt any need to be rude.
You make it everyones business the second you post on here
asking for help.
When you are rude it stops other people responding to your next posts, when you need more help. So think on missus.
If you are so bothered about keeping in touch with the little ones, then buy a mobile phone for them, I saw one advertised for 1p (yes 1p) in the newspaper yesterday with a £10 top up.

syko29793

Tupperware_Queen wrote: »

oh, and I was looking for some constructive advice on how to get a landline at his property - mainly so I can keep in contact with my children, and know that they can contact me when they want, without relying on their dad having credit on his phone.

how about the dad getting a job and working to support his children?
if he is unable to work i will stand corrected and appologize but? prove me wrong ?
The connection charge you quote is standard BT charge and the £50 deposit is due to a poor credit rating.
Remember BT is a business not a charity.