Since when did a local call...

[#1]

Of one whole Minute cost 18 pence? Ridiculous!!

[#2]

Since 4th January.
10.9p connection fee plus 6.4p per minute, well 17.3p to be more precise.

[#3]

What's the set up fee all about? Is It not enough we pay line rental and Per Minute?

Quote

The Call Set-Up Fee is to cover the costs of connecting the call.

  10.9p set up fee on non-inclusive calls

[#4]

You have to pay the operator to do things with a plug board to connect a call.

[#5]

I'm on talk evenings and weekends so I presume that I don't get charged the set up fee when he goes home then?

[#6]

Quote from: A

You have to pay the operator to do things with a plug board to connect a call.

Has your computer got the words "Babbage" or "Turing" on it? Calls are not operator connected anymore.

[#7]

So If Mr Smooth Operator Is not needed any more then why are we still charged a set up fee?

[#8]

Once OFCOM have finished dealing with the mobile operaors they may ban this rip off also.

Quote from: Bruce47

Since 4th January. 10.9p connection fee plus 6.4p per minute, well 17.3p to be more precise.

[#9]

Quote from: Steve

So If Mr Smooth Operator Is not needed any more then why are we still charged a set up fee?

I'm not going to try and justify the high cost - I believe it is too high     But somebody has to pay the cost of maintaining the complicated inter-network connections and inter - operator billing functions which manage the routing of your call. 
Here is a much simplified routing as an example.
E.g.  If you initiate a call on a Virgin mobile to a Plusnet landline: 
- it goes to Virgin network to authenticate you and start the billing process
- checks the destination number and validates which external network it needs to connect to (BT in this case)
- routes across the Virgin network to a suitable egress point to interconnect with BT
- BT network validates which other provider is supplying this connection and initiates a network interconnect charge.
- passes the call to the terminating local exchange.
- rings phone
VoIP doesn't (currently!) have the levying of 'interconnect charging'  between Network Operators - thus the cheaper service when the call is all IP.  NOTE:  VoIP calls to a landline do attract the charge
PS  feel free to correct my known over simplification of the connection process using SS7  (or SIP)
Maurice 

[#10]

Quote from: Bruce47

10.9p connection fee plus 6.4p per minute, well 17.3p to be more precise.

No 18p is precise.
"7. How much do chargeable calls cost?
Our Home Phone Tariff confirms the cost of different calls types and setup fees.
   Calls are charged for minimum length of 1 minute and are rounded up to the next minute*
   The setup fee (if applicable) is added
   The total is rounded up to the nearest penny"
http://www.plus.net/support/phone/home_phone/billing.shtml

[#11]

@MauriceC So does that mean that It does not work like that at evenings and weekends?

[#12]

Free calls do not need a connection process.

[#13]

Quote from: A

Free calls do not need a connection process.

They use two tin cans & a piece of string  
BT charge 11.5p set up + 7p per minute

[#14]

Quote from: Steve

@MauriceC So does that mean that It does not work like that at evenings and weekends?

Technically it is a core function of the network.  Whether or When the call termination charges get passed on to an end User is an individual provider business decision
Maurice

[#15]

Quote from: A

Free calls do not need a connection process.

{panto mode on}
Oh yes they do!
{off}
How else do you convert the 0800 number to a geographic (or IP)?

One exception I can think of.  The 'Hotel Mode' phones in Airports / Stations / Hospitals with a direct link to an end service.
Maurice