Originally Posted by poppasmurf:
“The BT operator told me that when 1571 answers because the number you are calling is engaged, you are not charged for the call. You are only charged if there is no reply to the number. From what has been said above, this now appears to be untrue.”
“The BT operator told me that when 1571 answers because the number you are calling is engaged, you are not charged for the call. You are only charged if there is no reply to the number. From what has been said above, this now appears to be untrue.”
In fact, what you were told was an exact reversal of what is the case (you are not charged if there is ring tone, no reply but are if you are 'answered').
If the called number is already engaged, callers are answered by 1571 - and the call is deemed to have been connected and charging starts.
If it's a weekday daytime call and if the caller hangs up immediately they hear 1571 'answer', those using BT for the call are currently charged 5.5p (the minimum call charge) but, from 1/10/06, that will increase by 9% - to 6p. That's when BT will scrap the MCC and introduce a 3p call set-up fee. As they've also introduced whole minute charging, you'll also have to pay 3p for the fraction of the first minute you 'use' - taking the charge to 6p - for nothing!
BT would probably argue that you had the option to leave a brief message on the 1571 service for the same price and it's your choice not to do so.
Last edited by Heinz : 12-09-2006 at 10:07
