Should I stick with BT?

swnat

Hi,

I've used BT for my phonecalls and Internet access for years now and have not had any serious issues with either service. I am, however, wondering if there are any better but cheaper providers out there? Ideally I would like to keep calls and internet access under one roof for convenience, but would be pleased to hear any thoughts. I currently have BT Unlimited Anytime calls and BT Total Broadband Option 2. My bill every quarter for both works out to be about £135.

Thanks.

Heinz

In the days of direct debit payments I will never understand the 'all eggs in one basket for convenience' argument.

However, £21.50 per month BT Total Broadband Option 3, £13.90 per month line rental and £ 4.70 per month Unlimited Anytime calls plan comes to £120.30 per quarter. I assume the other £15 or so is on 084/7, 09, 118 or overseas calls and calls to mobiles.

I'd suggest a call to BT to check when your broadband and calls package contracts expire and, when they query why you're asking, tell them you're finding BT a bit costly and so you're looking at cheaper alternatives (mentioning Talk Talk, even if you'd never even consider them, can assist here).

You should then be able to negotiate a reasonable discount on the broadband (I never pay more than £7.50/month - about half price - for Option 1) and on line rental (£2 or £3 per month is frequently offered).

robinpa

I have just renewed last week for another 12 months:

BB Option 3, BT Vision Gold, ESPN, Line Rental and Unlimted Anytime Calling plan for £39.50 a month and first 4 months are £5.00 off aswell. Seemed like a decent deal compared with what I was paying.

macman

Why not switch to whole bill monthly DD for a start, if you're determined to stay with BT?
But there are better and cheaper providers out there, start with an exchange search on https://www.samknows.com to see what your LLU options are.

georgiebest7

TalkTalk are by far the cheapest but by all accounts on these forums, not too many members look kindly upon them.

In terms of a like for like service with any provider, you will struggle to find something that is drastically cheaper but if you decide that you don't really want anytime calls or unlimited broadband, you will start getting good deals.

Plusnet my current supplier for both, and I do highly recommend them. I get evening and weekend calls (including calls to 0870 and 0845) plus a 60GB allowance (usage between midnight and 8am does not count), and I pay less than £75 per quarter. I have never exceeded the broadband allowance even though I am a very heavy user, I do schedule most of my big downloads for overnight.

Plus I'm rarely at home outside of evening and weekends, and make most of my calls from my mobile anyway.

James123_2

Ring up and ask for your MAC code - this will get them moving! Ring 0800 800 030 and press the option for cancellation. Don't worry, they won't cancel without offering you lots of goodies. Even in an area where BT are the soul provider they'll negotiate heavily on price. I'm paying £15 a month for unlimited Option 3 Broadband and 24/7 unlimited calls. Line rental is on top. However, I paid this upfront at £120 for 12 months. So, the monthly bill is £23 - or £69 a quarter. I've used lots of providers, but find BT's service to be the best in an unbundled area.
PS .. I believe that PLUSNET is essentially BT by another name.

macman

Plusnet is owned by BT but still run separately-no BT call centres for a start.

niteowl_2

I was taken over by Talk Talk business and everything started going downhill, even though I'm not a business user.

Am now thinking of getting BT Broadband, but finding it confusing deciding which option to take up because I recently took up unlimited calls (£4.70pm first 4 months free) and £120 line rental offer at same time.

Was told by BT CS that my total broadband option will replace my £4.70 per month anytime calls that I've already got. They suggested I went for Option 1(£13 for 14months and 4 months free), then pay extra £5 per month to increase 10GB Usage to 40GB usage (if I need it) and also pay £4.70 per month to get anytime calls. I was hoping to keep my anytime calls (together with free first 4 months).

I'd be interested if anyone else has had similiar issues deciding what to do.

inspirespirit

I have recently re-negotiated with BT. Rang to tell them I was cancelling. Was paying a ridiculous amount £58 per month for broadband and evening/weekend free calls.
I now get Broadband and anytime free for 12.99 plus 13.90 line rental. My monthly charges are now £26.90, less than half of what I was paying. I pay DD £35 per month which should cover any other phone calls.

Idiophreak

Short answer: No.

BT are a joke, they have the most appalling customer service I've ever come across - and they're far from being the cheapest. So go somewhere else...anywhere else!

Heinz

niteowl wrote: »

Am now thinking of getting BT Broadband, but finding it confusing deciding which option to take up because I recently took up unlimited calls (£4.70pm first 4 months free) and £120 line rental offer at same time.

I'd be interested if anyone else has had similiar issues deciding what to do.

You've negotiated/paid for the line rental and calls package so there's no reason to risk BT messing any of that up just to get broadband.

Take broadband separately - Martin's guide points towards PlusNet (£28 cashback with Quidco) being the best option.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-broadband