BT line, loads of short calls

Dagobert

I am looking into cutting down on the phone costs of an elderly friend of mine.

He has a BT landline and makes some of his calls through call18866. He couldn't show me a phone-bill but reckons he makes a bout 1/2 dozen short calls a day. I suspect there will be some mobile calls and the usual non-geographic calls.

BT Line Rental Saver and Anytime calls for £4.70 would certainly cut down on the costs. But I notice that Anytime will only pay for the first 150 calls / 1000 minutes a month.

I think a multitude of indirect access providers would be too complicated. Most contacts are probably programmed into the phone.

We don't have cable and probably no LLU in the village.

Are there any CPS providers offering better alternatives?

Heinz

Not that I'm aware of.

BT's £120 LRS, £4.70/month Unlimited Anytime calls and use of 18185 (not 18866) for calls to mobiles is about the cheapest option now.

Yes the (small print) cap on the number of 0845/0870 calls will catch him if he really makes 6 such calls a day.

Dagobert

Does the 150 calls/1000 min limit only apply to 0845 and 0870?

I also noticed, if you apply online you get the first three months for free.

To sign up for online access, you need the BT account number displayed on the bill. He hasn't kept his phone-bills. Is there another way of finding out the account number?

Heinz

Dagobert wrote: »

Does the 150 calls/1000 min limit only apply to 0845 and 0870?

To sign up for online access, you need the BT account number displayed on the bill. He hasn't kept his phone-bills. Is there another way of finding out the account number?

That's the way I read their T&Cs:

0845 and 0870 numbers are also included within your inclusive call times (excluding indirect access numbers and dial-up internet access). Fair use policy applies – maximum 1,000 minutes or 150 calls a month. If either of these limits on inclusive calls is exceeded, BT will charge for these calls until further notice.

He must be able to get the account number (2 letters followed by 8 numbers) by calling 0800 800 150 and talking his way through 'security'.