BT introduces voice call set-up charge of 3p

tromang

Anyone aware of this please? Has it been widely advertised by BT?
It will greatly impact BT landline customers who make lots of short (let's say 2 minute) calls.

I have just become aware that BT has changed its billing T&Cs for voice landline calls. Instead of charging a minimum call charge of 4p, it is now (as of 1 October, I think) charging a call set-up charge of 3p flat rate.

So, a 2-minute call which used to cost 6p (2 x 3p/min) will now cost 9p (2 x 3p/min plus the 3p set-up charge). That's a massive 50% increase on a 2-minute call.

A 5 minute call used to cost 15p (5 x 3p/min) and will now cost 18p (5 x 3p/min plus 3p set-up). That's a massive 20% increase.

A 10 minutes call used to cost 30p (10 x 3p/min) and will now cost 33p (10 x 3p/min plus 3p set-up). That's an increase of 10%.

I only became aware of this by studying my call charges in some detail.

A BT customer help desk email sent to me in response to a query about the issue, states that BT has published the fact in their "Update" newsletter since August, and that it was notified to customers "on the bill". I have seen neither.

Heinz

Welcome to the MSE forums tromang.

There was a long thread about BT's price changes started back in July:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=235673

Among other things, I pointed out the 3p call set-up fee change in post #9 there.

However, although most on here pay BT line rental, not many make (m)any calls via them!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=1598074&postcount=4

oldwiring

It applies only to faytime calls. Neither the rental nor the free evening call allowances have been altered so the %age cost increases are misleading because they do not apply to the overall cost of using the service.

bbb_uk

oldwiring wrote:

It applies only to faytime calls. Neither the rental nor the free evening call allowances have been altered so the %age cost increases are misleading because they do not apply to the overall cost of using the service.

I think it would also apply to evening & weekend calls as well as it applies to chargable calls.

So in the evening and weekend it will cost 8.5p for upto an hour instead of 5.5p (5.5p + 3p setup charge).

Heinz

bbb_uk wrote:

I think it would also apply to evening & weekend calls as well as it applies to chargable calls.

So in the evening and weekend it will cost 8.5p for upto an hour instead of 5.5p (5.5p + 3p setup charge).

No, it specifically excludes evening/weekend calls to UK 01/02 numbers (which still cost 5½p for up to an hour).

billsavings

See here:

http://www.bt.com/Choices/pricing.jsp?obsNoSee=Y&vStore=1112&obsPage=/Choices/calls.jsp&obsType=LINK&obsOID=34209

bbb_uk

Heinz wrote:

No, it specifically excludes evening/weekend calls to UK 01/02 numbers (which still cost 5½p for up to an hour).

My mistake. I assumed they'd apply it to all chargable calls but I see they've made a surprisingly exception to the evening & weekend calls.

tromang

I'm somewhat relieved that plenty of people know about this, and following the guidance within the earlier postings, I'm now registered with 18185.co.uk
Thanks for the advice, everyone.

bbb_uk

tromang wrote:

I'm somewhat relieved that plenty of people know about this, and following the guidance within the earlier postings, I'm now registered with 18185.co.uk

Are you also registering with Primus Saver for free evening & weekend calls to normal geographical (01 & 02) numbers without a monthly fee?

This in combination with Call18185 during the daytime, should reduce your call charges drastically - assuming usage is mainly landline numbers.

muffinhead

I assume the 3p setup charge only applies if the person picks up the phone on the other end ?

BexTech

muffinhead wrote:

I assume the 3p setup charge only applies if the person picks up the phone on the other end ?

Yes, only charged once connected, to human or answering service.