BT Basic

MegaMiniMouse

I've just discovered that I can qualify for BT Basic because I receive pension guarantee credit, but they only offer it to their existing customers.

I dread the thought of returning to BT after having only recently managed to escape their clutches after 30 years of increasing struggle to get any kind of true customer service, but as things currently stand, BT Basic would almost halve my current landline&broadband bills.

My current contracts finish at the end of next February, and the BT Basic info says that if and when BT choose to accept a customer's application to transfer to BT Basic, then the transfer will take place immediately.

But if I switch to BT on a full-price contract next February, I will have to sign up to a 12-month contract - does anybody know whether BT will hold me to the 12-month commitment before activating their 'immediate' transfer to BT Basic?

[Deleted User]

In the circumstances, I'd leave BT well alone.

Have you approached your current provider and told them your circumstances? Depending on who it is, they may rather you pay a nominal fee than leave them to go back to BT.

You'll only know if you ask them.

enfield_freddy

you will find very few alternate internet suppliers willing to do internet only , and BT will not offer any cheap internet packages , whilst using that phone plan.


I did some research on this a few mths ago


its called basic as its for people that want phone only , most IPs make money on the phone line rental , and BT internet will not stand loss of line rental fee

spyhunter

enfield_freddy wrote: »

you will find very few alternate internet suppliers willing to do internet only , and BT will not offer any cheap internet packages , whilst using that phone plan.

BT do offer cheaper broadband on BT Basic

http://www.bt.com/includingyou/bt-basic-broadband.html

Only a 10GB usage allowance though.

MegaMiniMouse

spyhunter wrote: »

BT do offer cheaper broadband on BT Basic

http://www.bt.com/includingyou/bt-basic-broadband.html

Only a 10GB usage allowance though.

Yes - phone and broadband on BT Basic is a tenner a month, and 10GB is ample for my needs.

But I don't believe anything that BT call centre staff tell me, and I need to know whether or not I will need to complete the full-term of a full-price contract before BT will be willing to switch me to BT Basic.

MegaMiniMouse

MegaMiniMouse wrote: »

Yes - phone and broadband on BT Basic is a tenner a month, and 10GB is ample for my needs.

But I don't believe anything that BT call centre staff tell me, and I need to know whether or not I will need to complete the full-term of a full-price contract before BT will be willing to switch me to BT Basic.

ps - I just thought of something...

Since my existing contracts don't finish until the end of next February, I think I will write a letter to BT asking them to answer my question.

If I receive a satisfactory reply, then I will have it in writing. But if I don't receive a satisfactory reply, then I will give them a miss.

spyhunter

MegaMiniMouse wrote: »

Yes - I need to know whether or not I will need to complete the full-term of a full-price contract before BT will be willing to switch me to BT Basic.

You do need to get the line connected to BT first and then apply for BT basic.

It doesn't matter if you are in a minimum term as BT will let you move to BT basic at anytime as long as you are eligible to have it and they won't charge you for cancelling the previous contract with them.

oldharryrocks

It use to say in the T& C

"Within the minimum term, you may upgrade your Calling Plan, but you cannot downgrade your calling plan except where you are eligible for, and are moving to BT Basic"

MegaMiniMouse

spyhunter wrote: »

You do need to get the line connected to BT first and then apply for BT basic.

It doesn't matter if you are in a minimum term as BT will let you move to BT basic at anytime as long as you are eligible to have it and they won't charge you for cancelling the previous contract with them.

Thanks - I have printed my letter to BT and will post it tomorrow - I really hope they will take the trouble to reply with confirmation of the info which you have provided.

Graham1

When BT Basic first came out (in 2008, I think) it would take about 3 weeks from posting the form to the switch over onto BT Basic (assuming one qualified and they did not lose the form) - so you should probably assume you will pay one month line rental at the standard rate. Switching into or out of BT Basic does not break an existing contract, any existing minimum term just stays the same. Obviously, only sign up initially for the unlimited weekend package not one of the inclusive calls packages.

Once on BT Basic it is a good idea to thoroughly familiarise yourself with how call costs are calculated as some aspects are a bit strange, for example at the weekend 0345 (like all 03) are 11.3p/min while most 0845 are still free at the moment.

teddysmum

Graham1 wrote: »

Once on BT Basic it is a good idea to thoroughly familiarise yourself with how call costs are calculated as some aspects are a bit strange, for example at the weekend 0345 (like all 03) are 11.3p/min while most 0845 are still free at the moment.

The BT site says that 0845 and 0870 are only 'free' at weekends.