Cheapest way to set up a landline number that diverts to a mobile

Ken2000

Hi, currently we have a BT landline (for work) which diverts to my mobile, but as a result, we end up paying for the cost of the transferred call, which can mount up, particularly if the caller is from overseas. Is there a way of setting this up so that the costs are kept to a minimum please, either by transferring the call or by simply setting up a virtual local number that directs to my mobile.

[Deleted User]

The cheapest way is to give everybody necessary your mobile phone number.

Ken2000

Sorry, I should have added that it's a work number, which appears on our website and various directories.

J_B

I know nothing about 'call divert' really, but if your 'call package' included calls to mobiles, would that then make the calls part of your inclusive package.


Calls *from* abroad will cost no more to divert than UK calls.

JJ_Egan

Work then its Business tariff ??

iniltous

Ken2000 wrote: »

Hi, currently we have a BT landline (for work) which diverts to my mobile, but as a result, we end up paying for the cost of the transferred call, which can mount up, particularly if the caller is from overseas. Is there a way of setting this up so that the costs are kept to a minimum please, either by transferring the call or by simply setting up a virtual local number that directs to my mobile.

An overseas caller shouldn't be any different from any other caller, if someone calls your landline,and it's on divert to your mobile, they pay for that part of the call at whatever the rate is, you pay for the call that is set up between your landline and mobile, and the two calls are effectively connected together...the origin of the incoming call shouldn't make any difference to the chargeable part of the outgoing call you pay for , it's not really one call, it's two , that are connected together , you pay for the diverted part of the 'call' only , they person calling you pays for the call from themselves to your landline number.
I'm not sure how you can make it cheaper, as even if calls to mobiles are included on your call plan, because it's not a regular call, chances are you would pay for the divert part , even if it's to your mobile.
You could try an answer machine that says you are out of the office and for the caller to ring your mobile,obviously quoting your mobile on the answer phone message, but this could well put people off, and they don't then ring your mobile.
I suppose you need to work out how many of these diverted calls lead to a chargeable job, and how many are just enquirys, if it's worthwhile, it's just a cost of business , if it's not worthwhile , bin it off.
Alternatively get someone to answer the landline , they take he callers name and number, ring you, pass the number on, and you then call them , but paying for some diverted calls presumably would be cheaper than employing someone to answer the phone

Ken2000

Thanks for the replies. It's not a business line, just their home package. Looks like something from Net Telco might do the job (£8.50/year for the virtual local number and 4p/minute to call mobiles)

Owain_Moneysaver

If you install a VoIP app on a smartphone and get a VoIP phone number (or port your existing number over) and use wifi or included data to run the app, you won't pay any forwarding charges as you'll be picking the call up over VoIP rather than forwarding it.

Ken2000

Thanks, do you have any recommendations please? Also do you happen to know whether it will work if there's no mobile data or wifi available please? Assume it won't work at all, although generally, if I don't have mobile data, I won't be in a position to answer a call anyway.

Owain_Moneysaver

If there's no data connection then VoIP won't work at all, in most cases the call will go to voicemail which you can retrieve on the softphone or get the message emailed to you.

bengalknights

Are you using a business mobile?

I know EE and Vodafone do landline with free divert to mobile on there business tariffs