No, the 3 free calling features are optional in that you don't have to take them, so you don't have to pay £1.50 if you don't make 2 calls per month.

I agree that 1571 has to be optable-out in view of the potential charge.

But there is no point in 1471 et al being optional.

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

I agree that 1571 has to be optable-out in view of the potential charge.

But there is no point in 1471 et al being optional.

They didn't / don't charge at all for 1471,although they list it as a calling feature , it's the CLI (Caller display)that is an option but is free if you make 2 calls or SMS per month or 6calls per quarter if billed quarterly,privacy at home

In reference to www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?top...:

THE LEGAL STUFF

BT Privacy at Home with Free Caller Display. Customers who do not make enough calls with BT will be charged for BT Caller Display. Customers who are billed every three months must make at least six chargeable or inclusive calls within those three months, otherwise BT reserves the right to charge £8.10 a quarter. Customers who are billed monthly must make at least two chargeable or inclusive calls a month otherwise BT reserves the right to charge £2.70 a month. Free calls (for example to 0800 numbers, calls to the emergency services etc) do not count towards the minimum call commitment.

�BT Answer 1571 voicemail � Customers must make at least two chargeable or inclusive calls a month (or 6 a quarter) to avoid a £1.02 a month charge for 1571.

There maybe yet another case for ASA as they advertise that you get these three calling features absolutely free, when one of them is free by default regardless of even having a calling plan or not , So the three calling features are really only two ,

Edited by tommy45 (Sun 22-Apr-12 04:23:17)

In reply to a post by tommy45:

There maybe yet another case for ASA as they advertise that you get these three calling features absolutely free

No, they don't! Show me where?

You always have a Calling Plan with BT even if it is the free Unlimited Weekend Calls.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

No, the 3 free calling features are optional in that you don't have to take them, so you don't have to pay £1.50 if you don't make 2 calls per month.

I can't see how to do that. It appears you have to have a calling plan, you can't have a line without one.

I think you are confusing the included calling plans and the options such as caller display.

I pay the basic rental and have registered for Privacy at Home, which includes free registration with the Telephone Preference Service and free caller display.

The six calls per quarter I am required to make, (two per month for those on monthly rental), can be part of the calls included in the calling plan, or any call falling outside it. If I hadn't registered for Privacy at Home then caller display would have been a chargeable option.

It all seems very simple to me? So much so I've forgotten the original problem. The question in the Subject was answered at the start.

The calling plans include 'options' but the plans themselves are non optional, therefore the options are non optional.

Like I said, I don't make landline calls so the cost to me will be £16.10 per month because of the non option options.

I'd prefer to have a simple connection as with Be (no caller ID etc) but it does'nt appear available from BT. As a BT line is required for BT Broadband or Infinity it means I'll look elsewhere - unless I can have a line without a calling plan!

All calling plans include 3 Calling Features for no extra cost.� ^

If you hit the fourth radio button in the scrolling display near the top of this page, you see the three free included features: 1571; 1471; Caller ID.

You do not have to add a chargeable Calling Feature from lower down the page, which is what you seem to be thinking you have to do.

There is however some confusion in my mind about the line rental and calling plan options on this page.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

All calling plans include 3 Calling Features for no extra cost.� ^

If you hit the fourth radio button in the scrolling display near the top of this page, you see the three free included features: 1571; 1471; Caller ID.

I agree, but they are not "free". You need to use your landline to make calls otherwise you are charged.

You do not have to add a chargeable Calling Feature from lower down the page, which is what you seem to be thinking you have to do.

No, I was only referring to the features included in the calling plan.

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

All calling plans include 3 Calling Features for no extra cost.� ^

If you hit the fourth radio button in the scrolling display near the top of this page, you see the three free included features: 1571; 1471; Caller ID.

I agree, but they are not "free". You need to use your landline to make calls otherwise you are charged.

Link?

Edit - OK, found it. It does look initially to be as you say, though I haven't checked the arithmetic. Do you never make calls such as 0800/0845/0870 etc. on your mobile and get charged for them? They qualify for the required BT calls.

Edited by RobertoS (Sun 22-Apr-12 11:38:17)