OAP and replacement landline

mustardtree6

Hi I am trying to help an OAP who is thinking of getting rid of his landline. However, he can't cope with smartphones or even the old Nokia ones with his arthritis and failing eyesight. I was thinking of getting him a Big Button GSM phone (a phone that looks like a normal landline phone but with a 2G sim). His typical usage is 60 minutes UK calls and 60 minutes calls to USA per month. He has no need for data. Any idea what sort of package I should be looking for? Thank you in advance.

Neil_Jones

You may do better keeping the phone line and replacing the existing phone (if its corded) with a big button phone, as I suspect the struggles will continue with any form of mobile phone as the arthritis progresses.

Consider whether the gentleman qualifies for BT Basic, which is a cheap social tariff:
https://btplc.com/inclusion/ProductsAndServices/BTBasic/index.htm

ballyblack

yes a GSM mobile should sort the problem

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steepletone-SGSM1-BUTTON-TELEPHONE-BLACK/dp/B07GB6M1CT/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2GKT57TQ4F1W6&keywords=gsm+desk+phone&qid=1580907187&sprefix=gsm+%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-7

as regards contract you need to compare all providers.

and get a 'international calls' add on

..

mustardtree6

Neil_Jones wrote: »

You may do better keeping the phone line and replacing the existing phone (if its corded) with a big button phone, as I suspect the struggles will continue with any form of mobile phone as the arthritis progresses.

Consider whether the gentleman qualifies for BT Basic, which is a cheap social tariff:
https://btplc.com/inclusion/ProductsAndServices/BTBasic/index.htm

He's already on the BT Basic but it's the US phone calls to his relatives that is costing him a fortune.

ballyblack

pity he could not handle an ordinary smart mobile. USA is free on Ringo international calling app...........just by using a local uk standard access number

mustardtree6

ballyblack wrote: »

pity he could not handle an ordinary smart mobile. USA is free on Ringo international calling app...........just by using a local uk standard access number

I know. If he could use a smart phone, he could Whatsapp, etc the US for free and pay for a low data package on Smarty/three .

ballyblack

I was thinking of a USA landline for free on Ringo

cranford

So how much are his calls costing per month?

Stompa

mustardtree6 wrote: »

He's already on the BT Basic but it's the US phone calls to his relatives that is costing him a fortune.

According to:

https://btplc.com/inclusion/ProductsAndServices/BTBasic/Whatdoyouget/index.htm

BT Basic includes "...free weekend calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers (up to 60 minutes)". So I imagine he could make calls to the US (at the weekend of up to 1 hour) for free using a service like:

https://smartcaller.co.uk/

mustardtree6

Stompa wrote: »

According to:

https://btplc.com/inclusion/ProductsAndServices/BTBasic/Whatdoyouget/index.htm

BT Basic includes "...free weekend calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers (up to 60 minutes)". So I imagine he could make calls to the US (at the weekend of up to 1 hour) for free using a service like:

https://smartcaller.co.uk/

Not sure. I will have to persuade him to show me a bill, next time I visit.

cranford

see Bt pricing guide for BT Basics:
https://img01.products.bt.co.uk/content/dam/bt/storefront/pdfs/BT_PhoneTariff_Residential.pdf

According to this there is a max charge of £10 a month for UK calls.
Call to USA are charged at 10p a min for evenings and weekends and 15p a min for daytime, plus 3.3p per call. So 60 mins to the USA could cost about £6.50 to £9.50 a month.
With these prices you might find it difficult to find a reliable mobile service to compete.