BT new prices

BT Together Option 2 and 3 customers will see prices slashed by almost a
third. From tomorrow, the monthly price for the evening and weekend call
package (Option 2) will fall by 28% to Ł3.95 and anytime calling package
customers (Option 3) will see a 31% cut to Ł9.95.
Meanwhile, BT is also introducing price changes that will be offered to all
its customers. From 15th August, BT will be offering a year's free UK
evening and weekend calls if they sign-up to BT for 18 months.

Also, from the end of the year, all BT's 16 million customers will be
offered a 25p discount to their monthly line rental, if they opt to receive
bills online.

From October the cost of calling many non-geographic numbers is also being
cut. 0845 and 0870 numbers now account for a quarter of call time and the
changes make BT less than half the price for these calls than some
competitors.

However if I read it correctly per second billing will cease and there

Ali...

That's how I read it. - on average an extra 30seconds revenue per call.

doesn't appear to be any savings for Option 1 customers.

noreen...

I haven't hear anything yet Sandra !! as you say looks as if there is no
change for Option 1customers;-)

andon...

Ho, ho, ho. What a surprise. Just as we suspected. Max publicity, min
value to average users.

As for the 0845 type numbers the biggest con out, the largest user is
HMG Depts., BT don't make so much from the calls because it is a
profit-share number scheme. The poor BT customer dialling the number
get whacked with the extra cost eg. National rate to call a building
in the same street.

Saxman...

You can't blame BT for that. BT does not issue numbers; Oftel does.

andon...

I was not aware that I blamed BT for National and Local Government
Depts., choosing to use 08xx profit sharing numbers and ceasing to
publish there geographic telephone numbers.

Saxman...

These people govern premium rate calls:-

If you've got a complaint, get in touch with them, not BT.

Ali...

But 08xx aren't premium rate numbers.

Ali...

Do they really? Or do they delegate blocks of numbers to the telcos to
issue?

Anyway the organisation with the number chooses to have an 0845 number, and
BT (or whichever telco provides the line) collects the dosh and shares it
with the number-holder.

Saxman...

Why shouldn't BT get a cut if the rest do? They are providing the service.

The main problem is the UK public. They make more premium rate calls than anywhere
else in the world. Do they read the small print? Fools them.

I got my home line blocked from that trash ages ago.

DC...

That's where saynoto0870 is handy...

andon...

If only they had lists of County Councils :-(
There is also the annoying point that even VoIP calls
to 0845 / 0870 numbers are charged at higher rates too.

Rabbit...

No what is really annoying is how mobile companies can charge standard rate

pmj...

Yes!
Not no!!!

pmj...

*also*!

for 0800 calls, at least on PAYG, I can't speak for contracts though I
believe some charge. My recent call to an 0800 AA number cost me about Ł6 by

pmj...

Yep.
As far as I know all the Mobile Phone Service Providers *do* now
charge for (most, but definitely not all!) 080x Numbers.
Some used not to charge for any 080x Numbers, but they do now.

I think half the prob was that they were losing revenue to the firms
that were providing Cheap(er) Rate Access, via an 080x Number.

the time I had listened to the waffle and pressed the right buttons.

pmj...

Well, different Mobile Firms will charge different Rates for 080x
Numbers, depending on the Tariff - the Firm (& Tariff) that I'm
with Charges 10 Pence per Minute (for 080x & also 0870 & 0845 & 0844)
Numbers.

& they specifically state that *some* 080x Calls are still not
charged for.

The following services are free of charge: AA (0800 887766);
RAC (0800 828282 or 08000 828282); Green Flag (0800 400600),
and Childline (0800 1111).

So if you got charged 6 Quid, (for calling the AA) then either you
were on the Line for about an Hour(!), assuming your firm does charge
for the AA 080x Number, or you were ringing the wrong Number, or the
Company/Tariff you are on is ripping you off.

Ponder...

Or it would be if it were effective ;)

Ali...

From 1st October 2006, the minimum call charge of 5.5p for residential
customers will be replaced by a call set-up fee of 3p that will be charged
at the start of each phone call.

That will be a saving for short calls. It's the method ntl use, but half
the charge, which may attract some ntl customers back.