In reply to a post by RobertoS:

I think they need to be viewed in isolation.

Really? Even your own ISP penalises new customers for not taking both services.

As I mentioned I'm not moving broadband just trying to get a better phone/line package.

Is your phone with the PO on their £12 line rental etc.?

Edit: sorry replied to wrong post. But I see Ian has moved from PO now...

Edited by b4dger (Tue 10-Dec-13 21:22:09)

There is more to it than cost alone (whereby some ISPs use phone to subsidise BB and thus increase their BB market share).

There are other good reasons for keeping the 2 separate utilities separate, e.g. BT's superior voice fault handling, single Calling Plan covering more than 1 line, inability of most ISPs to cater for 2nd voice-only line w/out BB, ....

Exactly!

By looking at them separately I have choice and can get a better combination than any bundle, if I so choose.

The key is to jump at the right time. A few years ago I swore I would never consider Plusnet for broadband, and have now been with them for nearly three years. I've always sworn the benefits of keeping my line with BT justify slightly higher prices. On the face of it, they are now taking the mickey and I don't like it.

I sent BT a website email earlier this evening asking them to sort out a problem on my account. I shall also be looking at the alternatives, though not yet sure what to do. How they handle my account problem will be a factor, but even if I get the best possible result the price remains very high compared to what I believe is available elsewhere.

Not impressed by the fact the website email hasn't yet generated an auto-acknowledgement. That should be immediate, with the text included.

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

There are other good reasons for keeping the 2 separate utilities separate, e.g. BT's superior voice fault handling, single Calling Plan covering more than 1 line, inability of most ISPs to cater for 2nd voice-only line w/out BB, ....

True, but I think the non-BT suppliers are suitable for the majority now.

Sky handled by recent fault superbly, so I have no complaints at all on that front. I've had two voice faults in 13 years at my present place.

Also most people don't have a second line, but I accept for the few that do that BT might offer more choice in that respect.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

By looking at them separately I have choice and can get a better combination than any bundle, if I so choose.

I held off for a long time switching my line to Sky; I joined them when taking line rental was not mandatory. Eventually I jumped to save myself £5 a month and have not regretted it. It looks even better value now that BT are charging for services which are still free on Sky. And the base line rental has always been cheaper than BT.

I vowed to return to WLR + WBC after a year if the service wasn't as good, but I feel no need to leave Sky.

In reply to a post by Oliver341:

It looks even better value now that BT are charging for services which are still free on Sky.

History shows that where BT leads the others follow within a coupla months.

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

History shows that where BT leads the others follow within a coupla months.

Obviously I'm hoping that trend is bucked! As MPF carries no rental fee to Openreach for caller display or 1571, I'm hoping Talktalk and Sky continue to offer these free as part of line rental.

(Continuing the discussion from there).

I see Zen charge 90p for caller ID, (1471 is free), and £1.80 for 1571.

If you take FTTC with phone, the line rental is £15.44 not the phone only £11.40, but I haven't yet found what options are included in that £15.44. If you want FTTC but leave your line where it is, there is a surcharge of £5.40 on the bundled FTTC price.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Correct if memory is working right its 50p per month + VAT (sold to CP) for the Caller ID element of a WLR product

thanks for that info.

So some complaints to ofcom from all CP's in union = free caller display at wholesale level unless BTw prove costs?