Low usage but want caller ID

amibovvered

Hi all, any advice would be appreciated on a home phone service with the best deal for low usage - only about 2-3 calls per week - but also caller ID. I have a profound hearing loss so email/text as much as possible so the phone line is mainly for incoming calls and the few phone calls I can't avoid. I use caller ID because it helps me cope better with incoming calls if I have an idea who they are from and saves me trying to write down their number - cannot distinguish numbers at all on the phone. I'm currently with BT for both rental and calls (the £4.99 unlimited calls package but wasted on me obviously!) I have broadband but that's paid for by a 3rd party so doesn't enter into the equation. I was with Talk Talk for calls but switched back to BT last year because I kept forgetting to make the calls that made caller ID free, and the BT package - rental £9.99 and calls £4.99 - was attractive but has now shot up. Really, I barely use the phone but need one for emergencies/incoming calls. Can't use a mobile, except for texting. Anyone got any ideas?

Many thanks

Gary1963

BT Basic is available for people on certain benefits. Only £13.80 a quarter and this includes £4.50 worth of calls. Not sure if they can add on caller display though. Call them on 0800 800 864.

Heinz

Being profoundly deaf does not stop you maintaining a diary to remind you of important things - so I'd recommend:

(1). Downgrading to BT's Unlimited Weekend Plan (subject to your contract allowing you to do that without penalty);

(2). Putting a reminder in your diary to make two 10 second calls one weekend each month (so they're 'free') to one of the below geographical numbers for the Speaking Clock:

020 7043 1320 or
01798 808111 or
0131 550 0892 or
01923 287748 or
024 7629 5000

(3). Opening a www.18185.co.uk account and using the 18185 prefix for any calls which are not inclusive in your new calls plan.

amibovvered

Gary1963 wrote: »

BT Basic is available for people on certain benefits. Only £13.80 a quarter and this includes £4.50 worth of calls. Not sure if they can add on caller display though. Call them on 0800 800 864.

I'm not on any benefits though, so I guess that won't apply

amibovvered

Heinz wrote: »

Being profoundly deaf does not stop you maintaining a diary to remind you of important things - so I'd recommend:

(1). Downgrading to BT's Unlimited Weekend Plan (subject to your contract allowing you to do that without penalty);

(3). Opening a www.18185.co.uk account and using the 18185 prefix for any calls which are not inclusive in your new calls plan.

Thanks for that - the diary solution did cross my mind after I'd posted the query, don't know why I didn't think of it sooner!

Inactive

Not sure if any of the packages on IDNet would suit you better;

http://www.idnet.net/solutions/home/phone/

Great company, no overseas call centres either.

steveE2

Inactive wrote: »

Not sure if any of the packages on IDNet would suit you better;

http://www.idnet.net/solutions/home/phone/

Great company, no overseas call centres either.

I can second that,I transferred rental/calls to IDNET in October taking the Anytime Lite package,rental and 5 hrs calls £14.29 p/m.
The benefit over BT is no setup charge for mobile or landline calls and per second billing.

My average bill with BT was £70 per quarter,(Anytime calls with Friends & Family mobile addon) with Idnet every bill has been under £14.50 p/m,actual total for last 3 months is £43.76 so a considerable saving over BT.

amibovvered

Inactive wrote: »

Not sure if any of the packages on IDNet would suit you better;

http://www.idnet.net/solutions/home/phone/

Great company, no overseas call centres either.

That looks excellent - I'll definitely look into it - many thanks! :beer: