This topic

Digital Voice Call Charges

alec2 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 19:03:58 GMT

I understand the need for the change BUT.

If I want to make a VOIP call or whatever you want to call it I can just use WhatsApp, Discord, Facebook or any other app that allows internet calls.

Digital voice uses broadband which I am already paying for.

How on earth can BT charge for phone calls that are routed through my broadband when I can call for free through an app?

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

jac_95 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 19:07:39 GMT

Hi alec2,

Thanks for the post and welcome to the Community.

This is an automated response as I can see you have a question about BT’s Digital Voice service. Rather than waiting for a response from the Community, you may find an answer to your question by using the search bar on the Community homepage. We also have a thread that contains a wealth of info related to BT’s Digital Voice, click this link to take a look, Digital Voice FAQs.

Got some questions or want to learn more about BT’s Digital Voice rollout? BT are running localised events as part of the regional rollout of Digital Voice - Click here to view the Digital Voice events

To learn more about the nationwide change to this Internet based voice service visit landlinesgo.digital

If you have already looked for the answer to your question and have not found anything that can help, then please ignore this message. One of our Community members will be along shortly to help you further.

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

imjolly — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 19:15:14 GMT

With the apps you mention you can only call other people provided they are using the same app. You are not able to call anyone who does not have the app or does not have internet connection

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

alec2 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 19:25:47 GMT

So customers who have paid for broadband should get free calls.

Those who choose to have a "dumb" router, i.e one which does not have Internet access can p.a.y.g.

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

VeteranISPUser — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 19:26:28 GMT

Hi @alec2 The delivery is different, but the call plans and charges are exactly the same

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

licquorice — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 19:32:05 GMT

@alec2 you are comparing apples with oranges.

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

alec2 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 19:37:47 GMT

Excuse me!

Can you not see the wood for the trees

If I make a call on digital voice I am paying twice.

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

licquorice — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 19:42:07 GMT

Of course you aren't. You are paying for the equipment to route a phone call to any number in the world. Just being connected to the internet doesn't connect you to the number you require.

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

iniltous — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:33:51 GMT

No one is obliged to take DV , so if you think paying for phone calls , when you can use applications like WhatsApp, the solution is pretty obvious, don’t take a (DV) phone package with your BT broadband, take a broadband only service …FWIW , even ‘traditional’ VoIP suppliers no longer offer ‘free’ calls , VoIP isn’t free , and as stated isn’t comparable with ‘Apps’ .
If BT offered ‘free’ DV with every BT broadband service , you will get those that don’t want a phone service included, and they will demand a reduction in the price for not having the phone service , so whatever way you look at it , there has to be a price difference between broadband on its own and broadband and phone.

In your case , just take a broadband without a phone , then you have no reason to complain, and obviously you can use as many applications as you like .

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

gg30340 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:50:40 GMT

You are correct about having to pay for BT Digital Voice.

BT can charge what ever they want for calls on its DV service but don't forget you are under no obligation to use it.

If you don't want to pay to use BT's DV phone service you just cancel that part of your package.

You can then make your calls using Whats App or what ever other service you want to such as your mobile phone service if you have one. Their calls are free that is if you don't count your monthly bill for "free" calls,texts etc.

You will no doubt find that if you decide to just use Whats App to make your calls it is limited in who you can call but what the heck its free so I'm sure you wont miss not being able to call some people.

As regards already paying for Broadband so why are you paying for DV, does that also apply to Amazon Prime, Netflix BT TV or any other service you have to pay for that arrives by Broadband?

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

Edinburgh-wg — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 05:57:22 GMT

Oh, can one cancel DV with BT? I thought cancelling it also cancels the broadband. We have a number that I'd like to migrate to a different provider, to separate from DV, but I didn't think it was possible without losing access to the internet.

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:11:59 GMT

@Edinburgh-wg

Cancelling phone service does indeed cancel broadband but you should be able to take a new broadband only contract.

Porting a number is another matter entirely though, that seems to have been deliberately made as difficult as possible.

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

imjolly — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:30:31 GMT

@Edinburgh-wg

you are right currently you cannot cancel DV without cancelling your existing broadband and phone contract. you would need to port your phone number to a VOIP provider first which would terminate your existing contract. hopefully you could negotiate a new contract and avoid termination charges.

The sooner BT realise this is something customers want and set up a system which allows terminating DV without ending existing contract the better

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

Edinburgh-wg — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 09:27:30 GMT

I thought so.

Then you should stop encouraging the customer to just cancel the DV without telling them about the consequences of doing that.

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

DJG_Shef — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 17:14:11 GMT

The automated response to this question is a bit of a joke as it directs to a FAQ page that doesn't mention cost at all,. In fact the only easily accessible information on cost is where it states that it is free to switch to DV. I don't see why BT are so cagey about the call charges.

The obvious selling point about DV is, of course, that you keep a landline number (not sure that the 'phone book' exists any more for someone to look you up for free).

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

DJG_Shef — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 17:16:50 GMT

Call charges are clearly stated as the same for calling landline, mobile, etc. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find what that rate per minute actually is. I think it is 21.6p but who really knows?

Re: Digital Voice Call Charges

imjolly — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 17:18:54 GMT

@DJG_Shef

The call charges are exactly the same whether you have digital voice or old PSTN phone. So no need to explain cost of calls