View Full Version : Dropping landline to save money.
RichardCoulter
09-10-2017, 17:52
I no longer use my landline, so am thinking of just taking TV and broadband.
The offshore call centre are useless and the VM website seems to just take me round in circles for various phone/TV/BB options.
Does anyone know how much I would save?
I presume my discounts would be recalculated, so it may not be worth it.
I currently get minimum phone, XL/Full house TV and 200 BB (but could easily manage on a much lower speed) for about £55 per month (won't be affected by the price rise until at least 6 months into the future).
Thanks.
Why dont you just ring them up and ask what you would save ?
RichardCoulter
09-10-2017, 19:22
Couldn't get any sense out of the offshore call centre, but kept trying and have just come off the phone to someone in the UK.
He said that I get a good discount for taking all three services, which I would lose if I dropped to two services. The net result being that it would work out more expensive to drop the landline!
I suppose it's useful in case of an emergency and mobile is down, plus 0870 calls are free at the weekends (which are chargeable on my mobile).
The VM website mentions 0870 minutes, I presume that this means that there is a cap on how many minutes you can use when calling 0870 numbers. Anyone know what this cap is?
Couldn't get any sense out of the offshore call centre, but kept trying and have just come off the phone to someone in the UK.
He said that I get a good discount for taking all three services, which I would lose if I dropped to two services. The net result being that it would work out more expensive to drop the landline!
I suppose it's useful in case of an emergency and mobile is down, plus 0870 calls are free at the weekends (which are chargeable on my mobile).
The VM website mentions 0870 minutes, I presume that this means that there is a cap on how many minutes you can use when calling 0870 numbers. Anyone know what this cap is?
No. There is no cap on 0870 calls apart from the 60 mins max call duration. You are thinking about the old "Talk 08" add-on that existed prior to these numbers being included as standard. Taking Line Rental Saver will save you a few quid if you don't have it already.
RichardCoulter
10-10-2017, 14:26
Thanks, I'm in two minds about LRS as I believe the discount has been reduced, plus you effectively tie yourself into a one year contract as it isn't refundable (or forego what you've paid upfront).
Thanks, I'm in two minds about LRS as I believe the discount has been reduced, plus you effectively tie yourself into a one year contract as it isn't refundable (or forego what you've paid upfront).
What makes you think that? Bt refunded mine pro-rata
RichardCoulter
10-10-2017, 19:32
http://store.virginmedia.com/the-legal-stuff/terms-and-conditions-for-fibre-optic-services/line-rental-saver.html
RobboEdin
10-10-2017, 19:57
What makes you think that? Bt refunded mine pro-rata
Not according to BT:
http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13962/~/bt-line-rental-saver-discount
Not according to BT:
http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13962/~/bt-line-rental-saver-discount
Have a look at post 225
https://community.bt.com/t5/Bills-Packages/BT-price-changes-April-and-August/m-p/1717554#M84686
RichardCoulter
10-10-2017, 21:20
An interesting scenario of conflicting information.
This might add weight to a complaint to Ofcom about BT or VM refusing to refund advance line rental if a service is cancelled following a price increase.
I think they both have a cheek to even think about refusing to refund any monies paid in advance after a service is cancelled. If they scrapped this nonsense they would probably find that more customers would participate. This scheme benefits their cash flow & need to take on debt & the resultant interest charges anyway, so they wouldn't be losing out.
I no longer use my landline, so am thinking of just taking TV and broadband..
Are you sure that's wise? Always have a landline (with at least one phone not cordless) in case of emergency. Mobiles can't be relied upon, they lose signal and power.
Don't think you'll save much, if anything, if you're taking TV and broadband aswell.
Are you sure that's wise? Always have a landline (with at least one phone not cordless) in case of emergency. Mobiles can't be relied upon, they lose signal and power.
Don't think you'll save much, if anything, if you're taking TV and broadband aswell.
What kind of emergancy?
What kind of emergancy?
I was thinking like a 999 emergency, no good relying on a mobile that can't get a signal or is out of power. Cordless phones are also useless in a power cut, where as a corded one continues to work, assuming the exchange hasn't had a cut too.
(maybe i'm just a glass half empty sort of person ;) )
I was thinking like a 999 emergency, no good relying on a mobile that can't get a signal or is out of power. Cordless phones are also useless in a power cut, where as a corded one continues to work, assuming the exchange hasn't had a cut too.
(maybe i'm just a glass half empty sort of person ;) )
I believe the exchange must have a battery backup.
I can't think of a 999 emergency situation a mobile isn't sufficient.
RichardCoulter
20-10-2017, 21:04
Are you sure that's wise? Always have a landline (with at least one phone not cordless) in case of emergency. Mobiles can't be relied upon, they lose signal and power.
Don't think you'll save much, if anything, if you're taking TV and broadband aswell.
After checking, it wouldn't save me anything so i'm keeping it.
You make a good point though, a back up is useful if there are problems with the mobile network, especially for those with serious health conditions like myself.:tu:
An interesting scenario of conflicting information.
This might add weight to a complaint to Ofcom about BT or VM refusing to refund advance line rental if a service is cancelled following a price increase.
I think they both have a cheek to even think about refusing to refund any monies paid in advance after a service is cancelled. If they scrapped this nonsense they would probably find that more customers would participate. This scheme benefits their cash flow & need to take on debt & the resultant interest charges anyway, so they wouldn't be losing out.
It is an awkward one because with LRS you are actually agreeing to a fixed price deal. Therefore the price of the phone line is not increasing until you renew. This effectively seperates the phone line out of the customers bundle, but retains any discounts on other components of the service.
RichardCoulter
25-10-2017, 02:48
After checking, it wouldn't save me anything so i'm keeping it.
You make a good point though, a back up is useful if there are problems with the mobile network, especially for those with serious health conditions like myself.:tu:
In addition I've found it useful for locating my mobile phone, which I keep losing in the house these days!
In addition I've found it useful for locating my mobile phone, which I keep losing in the house these days!
In my case only useful at weekends when the calls are "free". Has to stay lost for the rest of the week. ;)
In my case only useful at weekends when the calls are "free". Has to stay lost for the rest of the week. ;)
Why? You don't get charged unless the phone is answered!
Why? You don't get charged unless the phone is answered!
Doh, my bad, I keep answering the thing in case it's important :monkey: ;)
Actually, it was a daft throw away comment as I don't tend to lose my phone, the only people I speak to on the landline are from VM India trying to flog me mobile phones usually in quite a forceful manner.
I can't think of a 999 emergency situation a mobile isn't sufficient.
If all else fails, I'm always astounded at the number of people posting on the mobile networks' forums whinging about how they can't call CS to report coverage issues because they don't have any other phone.
It always seems incredibly short-sighted and self-imposed, sorry if that sounds rude. Just belts and braces and plain sensible, to be honest.
Inactive Digital
26-10-2017, 09:21
If all else fails, I'm always astounded at the number of people posting on the mobile networks' forums whinging about how they can't call CS to report coverage issues because they don't have any other phone.
It always seems incredibly short-sighted and self-imposed, sorry if that sounds rude. Just belts and braces and plain sensible, to be honest.
A mobile phone will use any available network to call 999, not just the one you're subscribed to. If all networks are down, I'd imagine the emergency services would already be far too busy to attend your house anyway.
A mobile phone will use any available network to call 999, not just the one you're subscribed to. If all networks are down, I'd imagine the emergency services would already be far too busy to attend your house anyway.
The mobile phone will attempt to use any available network, yes. Whether the network will accept it - is at best debatable, at worst risking it.
I certainly would not ditch my landline on this basis. The consequences of being caught out are potentially too great.
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