Home Telephone Lines

[~sillycow~]

Can i have a phone line in my home without having an existing bt socket? I know one-tel expects you to have a BT line to switch over but telewest doesn't. I want a really cheap deal for a home phone without too much fuss of getting it set up. Cheers

[Carol Anne]

Your cable TV provider is probably the only outfit able to give you a home phone without an existing BT line. We have NTL and they are slightly cheaper than BT, but it has to be said, the standard of customer service is second rate.

[LazyGun]

If you have broadband and always on access, you could try a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOiP) solution.... I think one company (vonage?) offers a handset that you connect to your computer.

[connor91]

I have BT on a low user sceam.It costs around �19-00,for 3 mounths just use it for internet.use mobil for calls,some are free eves w/ends orange-orange.you nead 3 bills less than �30 [thats 9 mounths] and your next bill drops to l.u.s.last bill [calls per sec]=�3 total bill �23.

[KJN]

I have been using this linked set up for about a year now with no problems and am well pleased with the quality and the administration side "probably the cheapest calls in the world" check it out ;-

http://www.call18866.co.uk/

[~sillycow~]

thanks all, having a look now!!

[Tim B]

The easiest way is to lie to BT and tell them that you are a low user and do not have a mobile. They will put you on their low user tariff. Next you go to a bulk supplier like Tiscali or Onetel and buy their best package dependant on what calls you make. If you have NTL (or any other cable supplier) you can dispense with BT and use their non-BT packages. There are also microwave telephone suppliers which need a small (approx 250mm) dish for connexions but they are limited to the number of houses per square mile. Their packages are cheaper for heavy users. Check out Gooooogle for packages.

[oakleyfamily]

someone mentions vonage. with this service you DO NOT have to have your computer on but you must have the adapter plugged into your modem and your modem on (so an internal modem is no good).

dixons have launched freetalk

http://www.freetalk.co.uk/ />
(very similar system to vonage) which for 7 quid a month you can have unlimited calls to 01 and 02 numbers. if you have telewest or ntl you can (like i intend to) just have the broadband (�14.99 per month). telewest will let you just have broadband without tv or phone. then simply buy the freetalk pack and scrap your bt line.