No landline - what are the pitfalls?

jules_gooner

Hi All,

I'm just about to move into a new flat.

I've got the best deal I can from my mobile provider (T-Mobile) for £25 a month and bullied them into free weekend AND evening calls - I should only have weekend on this tarrif.

I can only get cable as we can't have dishes but I get my 'signal' a different way which I'll keep to myself. Virgin Media are installing broadband tomorrow for £10 a month.

I refuse to pay the BT dinosaur £12 a month for the 'privilege' of having their service. My only worry is 0800, 0845, 0871, etc. numbers. What's my best option for dialling them?

I was going to use Skype or VOIP through my pc but this comment by Martin in the Utilities Phone section threw me a bit.............

"When to use Webphone
Webphone is a very cheap way of getting a second phone line. For those brave enough, it also allows those on satellite broadband to not have a phone line and thus forgo paying line rental, though that's still an unlikely option for most"

It leads me to 2 questions;
1) Why is it brave not to have a landline?
2) Why is it unlikely for most?

Seems a good move to me, I'm sure I don't make that many '08' calls a month to justify the £12 BT ripoff.

Your thoughts please. Has anyone else done similar?

Thanks in advance for the usual quality advice - cheers!
:beer:

BexTech

Forget Skype for a start off, ok for a kids service, that's about it.

Look at SIP VoIP, there are many providers, forget Vonage - not worth it really.

https://www.Sipgate.co.uk, no monthly fee, free local 01 or 02 number (any area you choose), just pay for calls used.
https://www.VoIPTalk.org/reallyvoip, again free local number.
https://www.orbtalk.co.uk same as above

https://www.voip.co.uk for £20 for the year you get free local number
and free evening and weekend calls (each call free for 60 mins) and daytime calls for 2p for 60 mins.

VoIPDiscount, €10 (Ten Euro) +19% VAT for 120 days of free calling, 300 mins per week, several countries free, €10 not lost, you can use that on chargeable calls, after 120 days either top up again for another 120 days of free calls or use up your credit.

All the above allow BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). If you have a router than you can use an excellent ATA (analogue telephone adapter) device by Linksys - the PAP2 (buy generic unlocked off eBay - don't buy previously Vonage locked ones).

If you don't have a router Linksys offer a device that you can connect between your cable modem and PC.

https://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk
https://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk are two places to look.


These ATA allow you to connect up regular phones (DECT or corded) they usually have a REN of 5, so you could have a phone in different rooms, like you would with a old phone line, they allow you to make and receive calls without the need of a PC being switched on.

The linksys devices are very configurable, so you can set them up in such a way, no one would know it wasn't a real land line.

I've been VoIP only for almost 2.5 years, and have been extremely happy.

I'm only getting a land line next week because cable were so desperate to keep me they offered my the land line and evening and weekend calls for free and a 50% off my TV package for as long as I stay with them.

bluedove

Get virgin "talk Anywhere" phone package you can call all mobile and 08 numbers except free phone and 090 numbers. i'm about to do same. http://allyours.virginmedia.com/websales/service.do?id=3e

BexTech

bluedove wrote: »

Get virgin talkanywhere phone package here you can call all mobile and 08 number except free phone and 090 numbers. i'm about to do same http://allyours.virginmedia.com/websales/service.do?id=3e

Only worth it for a handful of people. For most it's just isn't value for money.

They've got a mobile, they'd be better off with the combination of the mobile and VoIP.

custardy

thinking the same for myself.my calls are a slither compared to my 'package' on virgin.

scottp_2

Rather than paying for VoIP to call 0800, 0870, 0808 and other numbers, just go on http://www.saynoto0870.com/ and find the number you need. If they are not on there most companies will have a number that you can call from outside the UK, this will start with +44, just replace this with a 0 and call, which will be included in you minutes on your mobile.

Quick, easy and free.

Hope that helps!

BTW I believe it is just because a lot of companies like to have a landline to contact you on. The way to get around that is just to give then your parents or other relatives’ number! Or even better someone you do like! (Not recommended for confidential subjects!)

BexTech

Most VoIP providers don't charge for calling 0800 / 0808 Freephone numbers.


At least with VoIP you can get a local area number - any area of your choice, so these companies will only see what appears to be a standard 01 or 02 number.

normanmark

I've not had a landline for nearly 5 years now, mobile works perfectly for these kind of things!

Simon_Wallace

Yes, but a mobile doesn't allow other people to call you as cheaply, usually.

One piece of advice I would give that only having a VOIP or DECT phone could be a problem if there is a power cut. Fine if you have a mobile, and you've not let the battery run out :whistle: but we always keep a couple of old cheap plug-in phones in case our power goes so we can whip out the DECT phones and replace them.

Cheers
Simon

BexTech

Simon_Wallace wrote: »

Yes, but a mobile doesn't allow other people to call you as cheaply, usually.

One piece of advice I would give that only having a VOIP or DECT phone could be a problem if there is a power cut. Fine if you have a mobile, and you've not let the battery run out :whistle: but we always keep a couple of old cheap plug-in phones in case our power goes so we can whip out the DECT phones and replace them.

Cheers
Simon

However if the person has always relied upon cable for their landline service and not BT, then they'd be used to the phone going off when there is a local area / street level power-cut.

Granted if the power cut is only within your own house, due to the consumer unit tripping, then you'll get a problem, but that's quickly rectified.

normanmark

Simon_Wallace wrote: »

Yes, but a mobile doesn't allow other people to call you as cheaply, usually.

Clearly you've not shopped about, the reason why i dont need a landline is because my mobile contract's allowance covers what i require