Unable to dial out - HELP

researcher

I'm not sure what has happened, but I can no longer make outgoing calls on my BT line - I get a message 'you are not registered to use this service, ..........' (scottish accent). I reported the fault to BT who say there is nothing wrong. I thought it might be an issue with Sky, as they provide free broadband on that line and it only began when I attempted to set up Anytime+ with them, (I didn't as the router is in the next room), but they say that they have put nothing on the line and it's nothing to do with them. I can dial 18185 to make calls - but BT have offered me free 24/7 calls for a year and I will want to use the line direct - any suggestions????

macman

Can you clarify with whom you have your line rental and who is your calls provider?
Is your line rental with BT and your calls package with Sky-or both with BT?
If there is no physical line fault (i.e. you have a dial tone and the line can receive incoming calls), then it appears to be an issue with your calls provider, if that is not BT.

researcher

Line rental and calls with BT (who say there is not a fault.) Broadband with Sky.

Heinz

Just as a test, try the 'force an individual call onto BT' 1280 prefix before an 01 number.

researcher

Works - went straight through without the message???

Heinz

That suggests that, somehow, the default routing of your calls is now via a CPS* calls provider with which you do not have account (hence the message).

If you haven't signed up with one, my money's on Sky having done something in view of your broadband association with them and the Scotch accent probably confirms that.

*The 1280 prefix only works with a CPS calls provider. It does not work with a calls provider that uses WCLI (like Sky now does - although they used to offer CPS).

It's going to be a nightmare getting it sorted. BT have already done the "no fault found, not our problem gov" bit and Sky will undoubtedly do the same.

Your best bet is to report a fault on your line to BT (your line provider) and keep doing that until you can make calls without having to use the 1280 prefix. There must be a fault if you cannot make calls via BT, your default calls provider!

researcher

You've summed up exactly what I think Heinz.

I wasn't too bothered tbh as I used 18185 for outgoing calls. However, when BT rang in the week and offered me free 24/7 calls for a year I thought they must be trying to tempt me back (although I clearly told them I was with them), so hence the drive to sort it out. 18185 might be cheap - but not free

Just re-read your edited post - so it does appear it's not Sky. We've definitely not signed up to any other provider. The one positive thing is that BT appear to know that another provider is supplying us (hence the offer), so I imagine they should be able to transfer us back to them???? (Am I making sense). I think I'll sit tight and wait a few days and wait to hear from them.

Heinz

I wouldn't assume BT's offer was as a result of what has happened. It's a standard offer which, in view of today's announcement of price increases on 3/12/11, will probably increase in frequency.

My money's still on Sky being the cause of your problem BTW.