Standing Charge for not having a calls package

[ADee]

Is everyone aware that BT have basically introduced a Standing Charge/Penalty Charge for not taking on a landline minutes package.  It used to be £2.00 a month but has now gone up by 150% to £5.00 + the extortionate pay as you go charges.  We have to have a landline for various reasons but not for calls.  Every other provider includes the line as part of the broadband package at no extra charge and calls are then PAYG if you don’t have a minutes plan for your mobile.

We’re unfortunately tied in for the best part of two years but will be ditching BT at the earliest opportunity 

[-Richie-]

You pay for a telephony service which is the ability to make/receive calls, the cost for PAYG was always £5 per month, however some customers had that discounted, they can vary.

[garybs29]

I can think of at least 4 providers without even trying where voice is not included, if you're going to have a rant it's always best to get your facts correct

[gg30340]

BT also include the line cost in the broadband package when you order broadband.

You however want a landline or as it is known, a phone line. This is charged for. It is not free.

[Crimliar]

When I signed up to BT Full-Fibre, I had the option of a phone connection (DV) if I wanted, but it was more expensive - it was there as an option, and I believe was discounted thanks to my being a new sign-up.  If I recall, a phone number was optional with my previous ISP (Vodafone), however, it was actually cheaper to take the bundle with the phone, than without!

[iniltous]

As already stated the difference between no telephony at all ( no phone number allocated, no incoming or outgoing calls possible, including 999 calls ) and broadband with a telephone service ( with PAYG calls )  is an extra £5 , it’s a stretch to claim the £5 is just for the PAYG element…

if someone has no need for a phone number , then obviously  taking the £5 discount is a no brainier, however if someone wants to keep telephony for incoming calls the occasional outgoing call on a PAYG basis and access to ‘999’ , then the £5 discount cannot be taken as they have chosen to take the telephone facility 

[licquorice]

I have no idea why folks think that the ability to make and receive calls, i.e a phone number, should be a free facility when it clearly costs the provider to provide the equipment necessary.

[ADee]

I’m fully aware it’s not free.  We’ve payed for a year line rental upfront.  The £5 pcm is an additional charge for not having a call package

[ADee]

We’ve paid a year’s line rental up front already. The additional £5 is for not having a call package

[ADee]

And I’ve just done a quick search and at least three include. As I already knew.