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We are with Toucan at the moment, do we have to tell them that we are changing to someone else or does it all happen automatically if we sign up for a new CPS provider
(1) If you still pay BT for your line ental (i.e. you only use Toucan as your CPS [Carrier PreSelect] calls provider), changing to another CPS provider is just a question of deciding which and they'll tell Toucan. Changeover takes 10 to 14 days.
(2) If, however, your have allowed Toucan to take over your line rental too, you'll have to switch back to BT before you can select a CPS provider for your calls.
I hope (1) applies and, if it does, there are a number of providers offering good deals at reasonable rates. You need to do a rough calculation first though of how many UK 01/02 calls you make each month. Bearing in mind you could just make such calls for 5p each (regardless of duration) with 1899, 18185 or 18866, you'd have to make 100 calls to spend £5 so, if you make less than that number, it's probably better to stay with a BT landline and just use one of those prefix providers for your calls.
If you make more than about 100 calls though, paying a monthly fee for a package which allows you to make as many UK 01/02 calls as you like may be worthwhile.
The following are some examples:
If you regularly make international calls to any of the following 28 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or USA and are willing to be tied into an 18 month contract, Euphony's £5.99 per month eutalk+18 CPS package may be of interest. Its two main attractions are that it is inclusive of all calls to landlines in those 28 countries, to mobiles in Canada and USA and to UK 01/02 numbers (up to 60 minutes in each case). A £4.99 per month reduction in the charge for the first 6 months (bringing the average monthly cost down to £4.33/month for the 18 months of the initial contract) makes this even more attractive but it has to be remembered that the monthly subscription will apply even when you're away on holiday and not using the 'phone at all. Phone 01256 857 000.
Euphony also offer the same package but with a 12 month contract for £7.25 per month. That's their eutalk+12 CPS package.
The £8.49 per month Primus Saver Option 3 CPS package is inclusive of all calls to UK 01/02 numbers (up to 90 minutes in each case). Remember though that the monthly subscription will apply even when you're away on holiday and not using the 'phone at all. Phone 0800 036 0094.
If you are a Sky subscriber and regularly make international calls to any of the following 10 countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Spain or USA, Sky's £5 per month Sky Talk Unlimited CPS package may be of interest. Its two main attractions are that it is inclusive of all calls to landlines in those 10 countries, to mobiles in Canada and USA and to UK 01/02 numbers (up to 60 minutes in each case). Remember though that the monthly subscription will apply even when you're away on holiday and not using the 'phone at all. Phone 0870 240 3756.
We do pay BT for our line and Toucan for all our calls (all-in price). Now my husband has got 400 minutes on his mobile he will be using that much more so I think an all-in price is wasteful. I am now off to count how many calls we make a month and how many minutes.
As we have just signed up for Sky+ and are tied into a 12 month contract it might be better for us to have the £5 per month Skytalk charge because I am sure we will forget to dial the prefix sometimes and end up with a couple of expensive calls a month.
Its just I have just reported a fault and they were telling me that if it turns out to be my epuipment they will be charging me over £200 ! As it turned out it was their outside line that had the fault.
The 'if if is your equipment ....' part is standard (if the fault turns out to be a faulty telephone instrument or faulty wiring IN your house, you pay).