BT cuts the cost of calling 0845 and 0870 to zero for many of its customers

[#1]

Yes they did and I did this when I started using the 'net.

[#2]

its a few years ago, was it other 0845 that wernt allowed?

[#3]

I got online at home at end of 2000

[#4]

My 2p -
I'd much  prefer PN to make these calls inclusive - even if they had to slightly rise other chargeable calls.
As others have said - so many of us have to phone companies that use these numbers, and hang onto the line for 10, 15 20 minutes , and have no alternative if saynoto0870 can't help.
as someone over on another forum highlighted - very many people regard these 0870, 0871 & 0845 numbers as a real irritation, and it was a clever marketing move by BT Retail.
But what I think is really needed is for OFCOM to sort out the whole mess of premium rate numbers etc etc. 

[#5]

@mal0z
I posted this link a bit further up the thread.
Ofcom are looking at 0870 charging, this quote being quite pertinent:

Quote

Today’s consultation proposes that all calls to 0870 numbers should normally cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02 numbers) and that 0870 calls should be included in communications providers’ call packages price plans on the same basis as geographic calls. This may significantly reduce the cost of calling these numbers.

(my bold)
It makes no mention of 0845 though.

[#6]

I havent seen mentioned if 0871 are going to be inclusive under the BT scheme as calls to them are more expensive than 0870 numbers

[#7]

I don't think they are. 
The press release from BT (also linked further up) didn't mention any calls other than 0845 and 0870 and I think there would have been a bit more "trumpet blowing" about it if 0871, 0844, etc. had been included!

[#8]

Quote from: Jameseh

Guys - To be clear, this is something being offered by BT Retail.

Ok, so why is it that when BT trades as "BT" (through BT Retail) they provide free 0845/0870 numbers, but when they trade as "plusnet" they don't?
plusnet is a BT plc company, so surely the announcement by BT plc should apply to all the retail subsidiaries?
Jon

[#9]

No, absolutely not.
BT Retail pay Openreach for the telephone services, just as we do.
BT Retail are making the price changes on their telephone product, whereas OpenReach are not.
Think of it as a product rather than a brand.

[#10]

I certainly don't want to see PN make these 0845/0870 inclusive at the expense of other call charges. Whilst the PN rate per minute was no more expensive than BT, the call connection fee with PN is only 4.5p (7p with BT). All other standard call charges with PN are cheaper than BT (for non-inclusive calls) ie 3ppm for 01/02/03 whereas BT is 4p.
BT rental is £12.91 pm for evening and w/e calls, PN is £9.75 pm. Calls to mobiles (except 3) are also cheaper with PN.
All other calls 0844/0871/090 etc are the same as BT. So just comparing the rental, if you spend more than £3.16 per month on calls to 0845/0870 then you might now be better of with BT.
I  avoid 0845/0870 calls like the plague. Unless there is no alternative I don't do business with companies that only have 0845/0870 numbers.
At the end of the day each user has to look at their own calling pattern and see which Telephone provider's package suits them best.
Well I'm happy with PN's as it is thanks.

[#11]

Quote

So just comparing the rental, if you spend more than £3.16 per month on calls to 0845/0870 then you might now be better of with BT.

...and that assumes you make the calls in the evening or at the weekend as, on the Evenings and Weekends package, 0845 and 0870 will be charged weekday daytime.  You'd need to take BT's "Unlimited Anytime" package to get 0845/0870 "free" all day, every day.
Also, from this page on BT's updated site:

Quote

†Free calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers Availability of free 0845 and 0870 calls of up to 60 minutes duration (excluding indirect access numbers and dial-up internet access) dependent on residential BT Calling Plan: weekends only (with the Unlimited Weekend Plan), evening & weekends (with the Unlimited Evening & Weekend Plan), or any time (with the Unlimited Anytime Plan). Fair use policy applies – max. 1,000 mins or 150 calls a month. If either of these limits on free calls is exceeded, BT will charge for these calls until further notice.

This FAQ page has more info.  It also answers the 0871/0844 question:

Quote

Please note that we're still going to charge for calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers used for dial-up Internet or indirect access. We're also still charging for calls to numbers starting with 0871 and 0844.

(my bold)

[#12]

Quote from: Anotherone

BT rental is £12.91 pm for evening and w/e calls, PN is £9.75 pm. Calls to mobiles (except 3) are also cheaper with PN.

My BT line rental is 10.50.
With the anytime package PN mobile calls are more expensive during the daytime.

[#13]

Your line rental may be £10.50 BUT the £12.91 is for the evening & w/e call package as I said. (It used to be option 2 which you are not on obviously).

[#14]

adiewoo, if you are on BT Anytime (was option 3) your package rental will be £17.32 (inc. line rental) or £15.12 if on a 12 month renewable contract, so it's a bit misleading to just quote your line rental is 10.50
Since when did PN's 9.54ppm daytime rate come to be more expensive than BT's 12.234 ppm daytime rate for calls on Unlimited W/E plan (was option1) and Unlimited Evening & W/E plan (was option 2), and UNLESS you are on the Anytime plan (was option3)  when mobile saver is inclusive otherwise an extra £1.47 per month, with this the daytime rates may be cheaper but the evening rates are more expensive!  In anycase my comparison was not with 12month contracts or Anytime plans, and by the way have you seen the BT penalty get out charges, unless you notify them in that short interval in month 12 of any period!!

[#15]

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