BT phone call charges

[notlynx]

Good morning, can anyone tell me why BT charge me for calls made to a mobile, when the calls are not answered and there is no voicemail facility on? I sometimes use the landline to call my own mobile if I can't locate it. Obviously, I don't then answer the call, but I see that I still get charged for doing this!

[factor-fiction]

I didn't realise that happened but maybe the charge is for connecting to the relevant network

[notlynx]

Perhaps it's something like that, factor30, although the charges are sometimes 19p but mostly 25p, so I don't know why they differ. Pretty costly thing to be doing - I won't be doing that again!

[sunny-dave]

Complain - this shouldn't happen as long as you don't let the mobile ring so long that voicemail would cut in if you had it . So a few rings is usually OK, but letting it ring until it 'times out' is asking for trouble.

At the point where the mobile network terminates the call BT does not always correctly identify the reason & often (incorrectly) makes a charge.

Talktalk are also b*ggers for making these incorrect charges.

[johnny37]

I have a TalkTalk package that includes 500 minutes of free calls to mobiles for £5.

[sunny-dave]

Me too - good value - but the basic errors are still being made - even an unanswered call can eat up your allowance ...

[notlynx]

Many thanks for your input, AB'ers, I'll try querying the charges with BT----although I've got a feeling I won't get any sense out of them. Probably just end up with a headache! But thanks, anyway, folks!

[WELSHYORKIE]

BT charge a 'set up' fee for calls to mobiles whether or not it is answered - about 13p plus VAT if remember correctly

[ChuckFickens]

They charge the set up fee for landlines too..

http://www.productsan...opic.do?topicId=25512

[sunny-dave]

The set up fee should only be applied if the call is 'connected' - either by being answered or by by being diverted to voicemail or another number. Otherwise no charge of any sort is valid.

[heathfield]

I seem to remember when mobile phone networks started up that we were all warned by the media that charges would apply from when the called number started ringing, and not when the call was answered.

[notlynx]

Well, certainly food for thought here! Thanks to all for your info, will let you know what BT have to say, hopefully get the facts - ????

[notlynx]

Well, I've now spoken to BT and been assured that the call charges are correct, and I'm told that any call to a mobile IS chargeable, regardless of whether it is connected or not. The difference in charges on my bill (some at 25p, some at 19p) they put down to call duration. Not sure how an unconnected call can have a duration, but still! They must count the number of rings! So Be Careful Out There!