I've just agreed to switch Landline Provider from BT to Direct Save Telecom. Don't know if anyone here has got any experience of them ? I've not yet been switched over from BT, I think we're talking 2-3 weeks.

Line rental is £9.95 p/m, and the regular geographical number (01 / 02) rates are cheaper than BT, both the daytime price per min, and the evening/weekend fixed price for the first hour.

What they're not advertising anywhere are their rates for 0845 and 0870 numbers - is this the area where they claw back from me any savings I'm making elsewhere ?

Oh dear, you should have checked here before switching.

Yes the line rental at £9.95pm is cheaper than BT at £11.00 pm but once you add caller id @ £1.75pm you will not be saving.

Then call costs - you will be charged at 2.5ppm daytime (minimum charge 3p) and 4p for initial hour evenings & weekends (2.5ppm thereafter) - all UK geographic numbers. Looks like you need to contact them direct for cost of non-goeographic NTS calls.

If you had stayed with BT and used 1899.com you could have all these UK geographic calls for just 3p each for as long as you liked.
Last edited by dawson : 06-08-2006 at 19:37

Thanks for the info Dawson

I've haven't actually got Caller Id now, so I'm not too worried about that.

As for 1899.com, I've Just had a look at their website and there is a free 0808 no to use from non-BT landlines. The implication being that the 1899 access code is blocked by other providers.

Well all is not lost - there is a 7 day cooling off period and I'm still within that.

So is it the general view in these forums that it's best to stick with the BT line and find other ways to route the calls, ways that are sometimes blocked by other providers ?

If you don't have nor want caller id and you only make a few calls the you might be better off with DST

However, if you are making that few calls, you might be better off with BT Light User Scheme (but you may not entitled to this service e.g. if you have ADSL or a mobile phone)

The problem with having DST and trying to use another service for calls is that they will probably claim that is against their terms and conditions (see term 6b)

Yes, the best advice both here and on moneysavingexpert.com is usually to keep BT as the line provider and use alternative suppliers for calls. Only if you want a bundled package (internet & phone from same provider) should you think about moving away from BT, but it's not without drawbacks

Personally I keep with BT for line rental, use alternative suppliers for calls (1899, 18185 etc) and get Internet access elsewhere.

Primus is also available free to get free evening & w/e calls (assuming you have a BT line) but I don't use this as it means agreeing to them as a carrier pre-select service which I personally am not prepared to do, though many others are happy with this arrangement.

This link describes in detail the most cost effective solution if you don't want a bundled package (or VoIP)

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi...95003038,99872,
Last edited by dawson : 06-08-2006 at 20:37

The 0808 access numbers on 1899/18185/ and 18866 are primarily for the use of Cable Customers and normally have different rates to the direct access ones.

Why not keep your line rental with BT,and use Two Providers.As suggested by the MoneySavingExpert.

Use as your Main Provider Primus Saver 2

http://www.planet-talk.co.uk/SaverPr...x?source=saver


This tariff offers ‘free’ evening and weekend calls to UK landlines without any monthly fee, after talking for 90 minutes you’re charged, you can defeat this by putting the phone down and redialing before then. You can’t sign up online (call 0800 036 0094) though it does bill via e-mail. As this tariff isn’t commonly sold, ensure you get the right one.

The Override Provider

www.18185.co.uk

Now you’ve got your free evening and weekend landline calls, it’s time to fill in the gaps; calling mobiles, ngn , and daytime calls to landlines and international calls.


Although 1899 only has a connection charge of 3p if you make mobile and ngn calls, 18185 is the OVERALL cheapest override provider, charging 4p per call to landlines, no matter how long you speak for, compared to BT’s 3p/min. .
It’s also very cheap for calling mobiles, costing a 4p connection fee plus 5p/min weekdays and 2p/min weekends,and its peak 0845/0870 rates are the cheapest on the market.

Thanks to MSE for a lot of this info.
Last edited by blazor : 06-08-2006 at 20:50

Well thanks both of you for the info - I've had a rethink, and my cancellation letter to Direct Save Telecom is on it's way !