Cheapest Home Phones Discussion

ghostrider13

The only real problem I have with this article is the bit right at the end when the comparison is made for a fairly heavy use family on BT Option 1 with the cheapest packages around.

Surely the more valid comparison should be with BT option 3 and the Callmobile discount?

Calls to mobiles whatever network according to the BT website if you are on the above mentioned plan are 9 p a minute daytime or 5 p a minute evenings and weekends.

Some of the Primus rates are cheaper than this but according to the plan costs from the Uswitch site about an hour ago the only calls to mobiles that are cheaper are to Vodafones at the weekend, this may be different to the override number rates?!?!?

As an aside I have just spent a considerable length of time on the Uswitch site trying to find a better deal for the huge amount of phone use that my family uses and find it very difficult to get valid comparisons because the assumptions they make about your usage are not always correct. I have yet to find a combination of their tick boxes that gives anything meaningful as far as my usage goes!

Heinz

ghostrider13 wrote: »

Surely the more valid comparison should be with BT option 3 and the Callmobile discount?

Calls to mobiles whatever network according to the BT website if you are on the above mentioned plan are 9 p a minute daytime or 5 p a minute evenings and weekends.

Welcome to the MSE forums ghostrider13.

[strike] Don't those BT prices exclude calls to '3' mobiles?[/strike]

I always worry about weasel words in the small print though:

CallMobile (an additional £1.50 a month) provides a discount of at least 25% on pence-per-minute rates to most UK mobiles (excludes roaming mobiles) – a 6p call set up fee applies to calls.

Overall, 18185 is cheaper for calls to UK mobiles from a BT landline - 5p connection + 6p/minute weekdays, 3p/minute weekends.

ghostrider13

Thanks for that I'd missed that bit of the small print!!! It looks from my latest bill as if the Call mobile charge is now included in Option 3 but whether the option 3 charge has just gone up of course is another point! I have a feeling that this only highlights my general point that the whole telecom price structure thing is a complete minefield!
The only thing I am grateful for is where I live there is only an Orange signal for mobiles so at least I don't have to go through the same nightmares to decide who to use:D:D unless of course I should be setting my mobile to divert to my landline before I lose signal in which case.......
And whatever you do don't mention broadband:D:rolleyes::rolleyes:

morriscastle

Can someone help pleaseeeeeeeee
I am currently with Virgin (NTL) :mad: for phone and broadband.
I want to sign up for a better deal with a provider like Talk Talk or other.
Problem is I havent got a BT line, does this mean I have to return to BT and sign a contract for a year before I can change provider again.
Any advice appreciated.

Heinz

morriscastle wrote: »

Can someone help pleaseeeeeeeee
I am currently with Virgin (NTL) :mad: for phone and broadband.
I want to sign up for a better deal with a provider like Talk Talk or other.
Problem is I havent got a BT line, does this mean I have to return to BT and sign a contract for a year before I can change provider again.
Any advice appreciated.

Are you currently on Virgin CABLE?

If so, the answer is yes.

rossgmattinson

Has anybody else had connection problems with Primus 2 tarrifs. Every time I try to call a mobile or 08 number the call is dropped with a message saying there is a fault. It only seems to effect non geographical numbers.

Heinz

rossgmattinson wrote: »

Has anybody else had connection problems with Primus 2 tarrifs. Every time I try to call a mobile or 08 number the call is dropped with a message saying there is a fault. It only seems to effect non geographical numbers.

I have Primus Saver Option 2 with the Penny Mobile 2 add-on. I had my landline on divert to my mobile this morning and received a call without difficulty.

If you haven't got the Penny Mobile 2 add-on, 18185 is far cheaper for calls to UK mobiles.

Normally, I wouldn't use Primus for 0845 or 0870 calls though - I'd use the 1280 or 18185 prefix depending on day/time of day (see HERE).

liketosave123

Just signed up to vodafone at home complete broadband service. This is available to all vodafone mobile contract holders. You get line rental, unlimited landline calls, reduced mobile calls, broadband and free router, £25 for wire free router. Service centre through your mobile 191 number so free. All for £25 18month contract.

vsdallow

pete99 wrote: »

Has anyone had any experience of SKY for phones or broadband.
If you pay BT rental of £10.50, SKY gives you free evening and weekend calls and free broadband up to 2Mb.
If you want free all week calls + free international, SKY charges £5.
To me that add up to £15.50 for ALL local and national and international calls and includes free broadband.
Thats cheaper than Talk Talk, of am I missing something. (I know you need SKY TV to qualify, but most people have that already).

I have gone for Sky free broadband and Sky talk, which is free calls to 01 and 02 numbers evenings & weekends. Suits me, & it's all working fine! I have no complaints at all! All I pay now is the £10.50 line rental to BT. If I phone a mobile, I use my mobile.....
Oh, and if I chose to pay Sky for my line rental that would be cheaper too, I think they told me £9.99 ??

I have Talktalk business at my shop, and it was awful at first, but I have to admit that it settled down eventually, nowadays I have no problems AND the price is right. I pay on average £30 per month for phone (unlimited calls to 01 and 02 numbers 9am-5pm) and broadband. Not bad for a business line....

OOhh, I love a bargain!:rotfl:

maglett

Heinz,

I've read your 6 rules. Just confirming that for rule 1 I phone BT, but rule 2 I phone Primus and ask them for the Penny Mobile 2 add on?

None of this gives me Broadband access? Any suggestions on who to use?

Cheers
Maglett