MSE News: BT reveals price rises

A question about : MSE News: BT reveals price rises

Millions of BT customers face increases on their line rental and call costs at the start of next year – but you can avoid the price hikes...

Read the full story:

BT reveals price rises - but you can escape the hikes

Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. If you aren’t sure how it all works, read our New to Forum? Intro Guide.

Best answers:

• I am on a rolling month to month tenancy and I hope to (but have no guarantee that I will) move within the next year. Anyone know of a way to cut the cost of line rental without being tied into a contract that I might have to break?
• Customers will receive details of the increases next week with the higher prices taking effect from January 4.
  See full story here.
  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/p...-to-6.5pc.html
• Its about time we was able to receive broadband without the use or should i say force of a land line. Most people use mobiles. I understand that a land line for some is necessary that's fine but don't force people to have landlines just so they can access the internet. The cost of landlines just keeps going up and bt know they have got you buy the short and curlys, Even if your with a different provider.
• You have the dongle option if you don't want to pay for an unused landline.
• "All customers will told about the increases next week, either by letter or email."
  i somehow doubt that.
  they said that last time and all they did was put the tiniest bit of small print in their BT update magazine.
  no mention of it on the phone bill at all!
  i bet hardly anyone actually noticed it.
  glad i moved over two rises ago! its save me hundreds of pounds over the last 3 years.
• Switch provider.I am with Sky and can always threaten to leave to get 6 or 12 months half price line rental..Thats what i always do once promotion has come to an end.
• If you are in receipt of certain benefits and with BT, you can switch to BT basic.
  This is suitable if you make few calls, and is available even if you have broadband.
  https://www.bt.com/includingyou/other...n_FURL_btbasic
  Ј4.95/mo, with a Ј4.50 call allowance.
  Calls 11p/min - so unless you're at under 45 min/month - it gets more expensive.
  Amongst those qualifying - those on IS, or income-related JSA or ESA.
• How long until other phone companies charge for the previous free 1571 service?
• No wonder landline only users are switching to mobile.
  EG Virgin Payg . Offer Ј10 a month Payg Tariff. Unlimited Landline Calls. 120 mobile minutes and you get to keep the Ј10 and use as you like.Comes with Free Caller Display.
  https://store.virginmedia.com/virgin-...ou-go-sim.html
• When it comes to price rises, BT is in a difficult position. BT's call prices for 084, 087 and 09 numbers are still capped by the "NTS Condition". This means BT are not allowed to make any profit on call origination for those numbers. A similar restriction covering calls to 01 and 02 numbers was lifted way back in 2004.
  When BT raises prices, it is the monthly line rental, inclusive call package prices, call connection fees, calls to mobile numbers, and options such as caller ID and 1571 that go up in price. For those customers without an inclusive call plan, the out-of-bundle price of calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers may also go up. As an aside, landline operators are finding it harder to increase the cost of calls to mobile phones as the termination rate has been dramatically reduced in recent years after intervention by Ofcom.
  Other operators can charge more than BT for calls to 084 and 087 numbers. They have no restrictions placed on them by Ofcom. A call that's 1p/min plus 14p connection fee on BT is 4p/min plus 16p connection fee on Virgin Media. A call that's 5p/min plus 14p connection fee on BT is 12p/min plus 16p connection fee on Virgin Media. Those same calls cost 20p to 41p/min when made from a mobile phone.
  The "NTS Condition" will be lifted from BT in 2014. Their 084 and 087 call prices are likely to rise after that.
  Ofcom's unbundled tariff will soon split 084, 087 and 09 call prices into a Service Charge and an Access Charge. Each phone network will have to set and declare their Access Charge. The "NTS Condition" means that BT currently charges the equivalent of zero. On the other hand, Virgin Media charge the equivalent of between 3p and 7p for 0844 numbers and slightly higher for 087 numbers. Mobile operators charge the equivalent of between 15p to 40p/min for 084 and 087 numbers. BT will be keen to keep the cost of these calls down (as it has an interest in preserving their market in 0845 call termination). However, I'd guess they'll also be keen to see some profit from 084 and 087 call origination.
  When Ofcom's "unbundled tariffs" come into force, call connection fees will be scrapped for 084, 087 and 09 calls. It will be interesting to see what level of Access Charge each network sets for these calls. It's sure to bring down the overall cost of ringing these numbers from mobiles, but what it will do for the price of these calls from landlines - and especially from BT landlines - is anyone's guess.
  Phone tariffs are complicated. See also:
  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...0&postcount=70
• I saw the writing on the wall when they spent Ј1 billion on BT Sport and offered it for 'free'. It's payback time BT customers. Why don't they act like a responsible company and charge a fee for BT Sport instead of getting even their punters who don't even use it to help pay for it in constant price increases? That would be the fairest approach...