In reply to a post by RobertoS:

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.

Short answer is no. I don't think that an 0800 call counts as a "chargeable" or "inclusive" call. Most 0845 and 0870 numbers have migrated to "chargeable" prefixes - best just "say no to 0870". I manage to find geographic numbers given an 084x 087x number. And in any case, I can't be bothered making sure I make two calls a month (they could be geographic at weekends for example). I just want a line for broadband!

So it seems I should stay with Be or move to another "line only" provider and "fibre only" ISP. (Be won't let me keep the phone with them if I move my BB away and they have no fibre plans this year at least).

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.

The only one that is not potentially free is 1571 which is £1.02 pm, not £1.50, if you don't make enuf calls:

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

BT Answer 1571 voicemail � The call return feature does not work with withheld or international numbers. Customers who use Call Barring (and select option 1) will not be able to use 1571. The attempted call set-up will cost 17.7p. Some social/burglar alarm equipment may not be compatible with 1571 (check with your supplier). 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.

but you can switch it off:

In reference to bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8374:

How do I remove BT Answer 1571 from my line?
You can do this online. Visit www.bt.com/callingfeatures and click the 'Change features' button. Otherwise please call us on 0800 800 150 (Monday to Saturday 7:30 am � 10pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm

My real concern with BT is that do have a history of locking existing customers into long contracts before moving the goal posts overnight and charging existing customers large penalties to escape them and I am somewhat concerned that a leopard does not change its spots.

I am with BT. - About six months ago I went to BT due to congestion on the O2 broadband system. (I was reasonably happy with the way in which the O2 phone line and the O2 call plan for telephone calls worked but it became obvious that the O2 broadband system was being overloaded).

While with O2 I noticed that when O2 made terms and conditions changes and/or O2 introduced new products they seemed to behave reasonably towards their existing customers in that an existing customer was able to continue on the legacy product as they had originally agreed to. � (I liked the way that O2 did that and they should be commended for it).

When I joined BT, I chose the BT anytime call option and BT Infinity and this means that I can now get �BT Privacy� for free because I tend to make a few inclusive calls per month under the BT anytime calling plan.

However, the fact that BT specify that two calls per month must be made is a small concern because I could be away on holiday for a month and I cannot understand why it is not automatically free to all, (especially for those people who pay for one of the BT inclusive phone call plans and who can make free phone calls). � The real concern is that this will be a way of their moving the goal posts overnight, (as practiced by the old BT), and we will be left with the option of being charged for the service or being charged to escape.

It would be much better if BT made all the incidentals free and they stopped locking people into long contract periods. � People only tend to change their ISP and/or phone provider when the service and/or the price to service cost ration deteriorates and the best way for BT to obtain and retain customers is to provide a quality service at a reasonable cost with all low cost add-on services free and no hidden extras.

I am still concerned that a leopard does not change its spots.

Regards,
Fido

I have to say I agree with you; it seems so unnecessary from them.

Changes to a service that are fundamentally detrimental to the customer make contract null and void. In these situations a provider must inform consumers, and you then have two weeks to make your mind up to accept or leave.

The problem is when it comes to most changes there is no firm rule i.e. 90% increase would be unfair, but at 2 or 3% one probably would not, where the exact line would fall depends on an individuals circumstances.

If people are eligable, you can have ADSL on a line that has a social tariff, but not FTTC/P products

What a drama, Bob, for so little!
If Woolwich feels disinclined to pay - possibly - a few coppers per month to be able to have a BT line (with the advantages of Infinity) then that's for him to choose. I know what you, I and many others prefer to do. A complete waste of everyone's typing finger to perpetuate such a pointless discussion. Well, that's my opinion anyway.
Cheers, Les.

[chuckle]
Indeed.

What is certain is that to get cheaper FTTC than BT is far from easy. Especially if the package I'm on doesn't provide sufficient allowance for the OP. The total of phone line and FTTC is what counts in the end.