Home Phone Discussion

[Rik]

I think paperless billing is standard, Baz. 1571, 1471, Caller display etc are all available.

[Baz]

cheers Rik..Yeah just looked for 1571 its the answer machine service isnt it.

free from october 2010 so they say.I have a machine any way so it doesnt matter

[Rik]

1571 is the answering service, 1471 is the 'last number called' service.

[Baz]

is caller display free

[Rik]

Yes, with a call package.

[Lona]

Here's the deal I'm thinking of moving to from BT

Line Rental Saver

Pay 12 months line rental in one advance debit/credit card payment of £113.88, equivalent to £9.49 per month.


Things you should know about Line Rental Saver

    * You must sign up to BT.com online billing (view your bill online and receive no paper bill)
    * You must set up Direct Debit to cover any call changes made throughout the year
    * At least two BT calls must be made per month to avoid a £1.50 monthly charge
    * Line Rental Saver is non-refundable
    * At the end of the 12 month period you will automatically revert back to monthly line rental unless you tell us otherwise
    * BT's previous paper-free discount no longer applies

Once I pay that I get first three months free and next 9 months at £4.99 per month.

Can Idnet offer better before I commit to a year with BT?

[JohnH]

It depends on whether you want to include a calls package, Lona.

If you want line only, 12 months line rental paid up from is £120.89, equivalent to £10.07 per month.
If you want to include calls, they have several decent packages.

Best of all, you are not tied in by default.

[Lona]

I have taken their offer of £113.88 which works out at £9.49 per month.

I have 3 months free phonecosts at 4.99 per month and as a bonus was offered a BT credit card with £40 cashback on first purchase plus 1P off my phonebill for every £1.50 spend.

[Simon]

I'm glad you managed to work it out, Lona! 

[boysteve]

Seriously considering moving line rental and calls from BT to idnet,currently paying £17.53 (Bt anytime with mobile call saver),avg 15 mobile calls a month less than 2 mins each,Landline appx 40 calls 4 hrs calltime.

Is there really no connection charge on Anytime Lite for mobile calls?
When is payment taken if i decide to transfer?
Do I have to do anything to activate SMS? Currently included on BT and send appx 10 per month

Broadband is with Sky LLU so shouldn't be affected by phone transfer?

[Rik]

There's no connection charge, payment is monthly in advance for line rental and in arrears for call charges. There's a saving to be made if you pay annually, as you get 12 months for the price of 11, but will still get a refund if you decide to move on.

Activate SMS simply by sending a message (at least that's all I did).

[boysteve]

Ok thanks
Looks like a definite from me,just checking next Bt payment date which I believe is the 18th

[Baz]

why is there a set up charge for some of the packages

[Rik]

Because BT make a charge, Baz, and it can't be absorbed on the unlimited packages.

[Baz]

ok then, pros and cons of phone with IDnet.

how easy is it to change over. also if you already have BB with them and want to take both,easy or not.

is this correct, BT have a set up fee for,is it all calls or just mobiles?  and IDnet dont?

[Glenn]

Just fill in the form on their website, or call in the morning. It's just the billing that changes, there should be no downtime.

[Baz]

Thanks Glenn. I added a bit extra there in between you posting, sorry  


whats the best way of telling BT

[Glenn]

is this correct, BT have a set up fee for,is it all calls or just mobiles?  and IDnet dont?

http://www.idnet.net/solutions/home/phone/ shows a connection charge of 0p on each package.

IDNet will tell BT you are moving your billing, you don't need to call them.

[Rik]

Just cancel any direct debit for BT you may have.

[Baz]

well got my order in today for phone switch to IDNet and cancelled with BT.

Have gone for a slightly different package than I had with BT.when I checked up on old bills my 'unlimited weekend' package was not really getting used as most of our calls turned out to be during the week 

as you'd imagine when told I was cancelling BT made me a offer of a reduced price for the same package for another year, but I decided to switch any hoos.

scheduled for 25th Aug 

[Rik]

Welcome to our world, Baz. Phone switches take longer to prevent 'slamming'.

[Baz]

slamming??

sounds harsh 

[Glenn]

It's to stop companies just taking over your line, with no notice to you.

[Baz]

got letter from BT today confirming my moving phone service and just wanted to ask, the 'extras' or 'freebies' I had with them, are they the same with IDnet.never thought to check before.

I had BT Privacy at Home....which I think was free caller display.

also what is the 1470 service that IDnet do?  it says 'overide witheld number'   never knew you could do that

[Simon]

You can do that with BT too.  If your number is normally withheld, you can put 1470 before the number, and if the person you are calling has caller display, your number will be displayed, and it will also allow them to know your number via the 1471 service.