BT scraps charges on 0845 and 0870 numbers

chris

Millions of BT customers will no longer have to pay to call numbers starting with 0870 and 0845 after Britain's biggest landline supplier today announced it would abolish call fees to the controversial numbers.

From 16 January, 14 million customers with any of BT's call packages will benefit from free calls to what are normally premium rate lines.

Currently, BT subscribers pay up to 5.8p a minute for 0870 numbers and up to 1.96p a minute for 0845 numbers, with a 7p set up charge on top (even when calls to landline numbers starting 01, 02 or 03 are free). Other landline suppliers can hit customers for more - up to 10p a minute for 0870 numbers in some cases.

However, customers will still be charged for calls to the even more expensive 0871 and 0844 numbers, where fees can exceed 10p a minute.

"We are the first UK phone company to tackle these charges," said BT. "Customers often complain their calling packages did not include the 0870 and 0845 numbers. These are frequently used by banks, insurance companies and even doctor's surgeries." Calls to HMRC helplines and NHS Direct are also 0845 numbers.

0845 and 0870 numbers generate profits for the banks, utility firms and other organisations that use them, with 40%-60% of the call fee going to the organisation answering the phone.

BT said it would take a financial hit, absorbing the extra fees with no increase in monthly charges to customers. It estimates the move is worth £24m a year to its phone users, and claims a typical subscriber spends 30 minutes a month calling these numbers.



Source:guardian

Zorba

Hasn't Sky just changed its number from 0870 to 0844 ?
Greedy b*st*rds.

coloured pony

It does not surprise me to see Sky put up the phone call rates to call them or for them to charge so much,then get 50% back when you speak to them, the sky con goes on.

Little wonder so many are switching to freesat.



Bob