Standard Call Charges - Why Not Match BT?
 

I have to say that the only thing that has ever really bugged me about VM is their standard call charges.

Last year I upgraded to the XL Phone pack as part of a good service upgrade deal, but I still have had to route some called, mostly 0870/0845 and mobiles, through a 3rd-part provider - www.18185.co.uk - in order to save some money.

As you can see from the attached graphic*, which doesn't include calls to mobiles, VM's call charges remain substantially higher than BTs.

I realise that calls is there 'cash cow', which is why they discount so heavily when you take their phone-line, but I really think it's time they did something to address the problem.

I did try to move onto their Talk200 pack but it meant losing too much discount to make the move financially viable.

* Based on slightly old figures now, I know!

Re: Standard Call Charges - Why Not Match BT?
 

For VM it is a simple calculation - will they get more customers if their call charges are lower? If they cut their charges, those lower charges have to attract sufficient extra business to make it worthwhile.

The answer, I suspect, is that they don't think it's worth it. If on the other hand they were to see an increasing number of people declining to use their VM phone due to the cost of it, they might reconsider. ;)

Re: Standard Call Charges - Why Not Match BT?
 

Indeed. I would happily ditch 18185 if VM's call charges dropped to a reasonable level; therefore VM would make more money out me.

Although my parents are currently on the basic triple-play pack, I have suggested, when they move (and based on their useage,or lack thereof), that they just get VM's Broadband and stick with FreeSat for their TV needs as they don't watch much. Then they will get Vonage in for their phone service.

Of course, for some strange reason, the cost of their BB will fall significantly if they get a VM phone line; even if they don't use it.

Complete madness!

Re: Standard Call Charges - Why Not Match BT?
 

Maybe virgin think folk will pay higher prices because loads of folk are forced into virgins phone service due to the high cost of getting a BT line installed. Or folk taking the phone with their broadband even though they dont need it as its "free" but actually using it afterall