Do all providers offer free calls on their own network?

ripplyuk

I've been with TalkTalk and now am with Plusnet. With both, it was free to call other people who are using the same provider. This is a big selling point to me as it means I can call family and friends who are also with Plusnet.

I'm wondering if this is standard with all the providers? I've been searching through Sky's website but haven't found anything about it. Does anyone know which companies do/don't provide this?

skintpaul

Most I've seen offer free calls at evenings and/or weekends, to normal landline numbers, regardless of their supplier..

some may also have free 'anytime' calls - depends on the tariff you have, I guess!

JJ_Egan

No they don't all offer this .

ripplyuk

A lot of them seem to be phasing out the free eve/weekend calls as standard and charging for it as an add-on. I wasn't worried about this as the people I ring were all on the same network so I could ring anytime for free. But now, a few have moved to Sky. I was considering doing the same but it's proving impossible to find anything on their website about whether they provide these calls for free.

I've also just had a look at BT's website and they don't mention it either.

macman

If they don't mention it, it's not offered-and certainly not by BT or Sky. TT and PN are the only mainstream providers that do, to the best of my knowledge.

ripplyuk

Thanks macman. I'm a bit surprised that they don't all offer it as it's an easy way to get more customers eg: if someone signs up, then a lot of their family and friends will follow so that they can all call each other for free.

But on the other hand, they'll sell more call packages if they don't.

billsavings

Sky dont even include inclusive no extra charge weekend calls anymore to new customers.

http://www.sky.com/shop/__PDF/SkyTalkTariff_Guide_7July.pdf

Ian011

These days, the normal arrangement is an inclusive call plan covering all calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers of up to 60 minutes duration per call made at any time of the day and on any day of the week.

Taking a weekend call plan and then making weekday calls adds additional costs around 10p per minute plus 17p per call. Just 15 minutes per week of these calls will cause the bill to be more than if the anytime call plan had been taken up.

In the last year or so very many businesses and organisations have moved away from expensive 084 and 087 numbers and over to cheaper 03 numbers. This being the case, most people now make a lot more calls to these numbers than they did before and it is therefore vital that callers select the correct callplan covering the calls they actually make.

ripplyuk

I've never used my landline for anything other than calling people who are with the same provider, which has been free. It was the one and only good thing about having a landline, which is expensive enough with just the line rental. Looks like we'd all have to be with Plusnet or TalkTalk to keep doing that.

billsavings

ripplyuk wrote: »

I've never used my landline for anything other than calling people who are with the same provider, which has been free. It was the one and only good thing about having a landline, which is expensive enough with just the line rental. Looks like we'd all have to be with Plusnet or TalkTalk to keep doing that.

You could all get a Free Delight Sim stick it in a old/cheap mobile and talk/Text for free subject to fair use policy.:D

http://www.delightmobile.co.uk/pay-as-you-go/offers/free-calls-and-texts.aspx