topic Re: Line rental cost in Plusnet Feedback

Line rental cost

Sestorka — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 16:38:50 GMT

I read a newspaper report that BT would be reducing its line rental charge from next April (2018) for landline-only customers by £7 to £11.99 a month. Quote from article: "Ofcom had been concerned that phone line rental prices had risen recently despite wholesale costs falling. It hopes that other providers will also lower their charges for landline customers."

I had to renew my annual line rental saver, but waited until the last moment to see if Plusnet reduced it charge. It did not.

Will it? When? Will I get a refund?

Re: Line rental cost

Oldjim — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 16:47:27 GMT

read the report again - only if there is no broadband on the line

Re: Line rental cost

jab1 — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 16:48:17 GMT

The important bit in that report is 'land-line only' customers, so if you have broadband - with PN or anyone else, you are not eligible. In my opinion, this is a cop-out by Ofcom, as they know it will only affect a very small number of people. I suppose it is a good thing for those it will mainly affect - the really elderly who don't have new tech, but that number will reduce over time.

Re: Line rental cost

Sestorka — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:28:54 GMT

I wondered what it meant - the phrase 'line rental for landline-only' is strange - is 'for landline-only' redundant? Or do they manage to claim line rental for some other type of connection? My broadband and landline phone come via landline only.

The article claimed it would benefit one million BT customers, I assume they have many millions who do not benefit.

What you call 'new tech' is not that new. I have been using internet access privately from my house since 1993 (all via my landline but originally not broadband), and quite a few years longer at work.

Re: Line rental cost

Sestorka — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:33:58 GMT

Broadband was not mentioned in any way in the newspaper report.

Re: Line rental cost

jab1 — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:35:10 GMT

Your broadband comes over your telephone line - always has done unless you have a satellite installation.

My reference to 'new technology' is referring to those born even before TV was available.

Re: Line rental cost

Browni — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:45:35 GMT

@Sestorka wrote:

Broadband was not mentioned in any way in the newspaper report.

Why should it be mentioned? This is for people that only have a landlne service.

Re: Line rental cost

Sestorka — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:52:37 GMT

It appears that the change would affect only those who do not have broadband via their landline, but it was a newspaper article informing the general public what was happening. Mention of the relationship to broadband over landlines would have clarified what would be affected.

Re: Line rental cost

Sestorka — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:53:38 GMT

I think the horse it truly flogged to death.