BT to use Ntl/Telewest for calls

[nkt]

Originally Posted by Dooby

hmm, ok, you get savings on calls, but you have to pay £7.50 'line rental' for it... that is getting close to the cost of some of the 'talk unlimited' packages isnt it? ( talk unlimited is £9 on top of ntl phone line ... gives you "Free UK National and local calls every evening and weekend.
Daytime national calls at local rates –just 3p per minute. Free International call plan worth £2 per month. " )

Is it possible to maintain broadband but have the ntl phone line disconnected and use the BT VoIP service instead?

[Chris W]

yep broadband and no ntl phone line is perfectly possible

[nkt]

Originally Posted by monkeybreath

yep broadband and no ntl phone line is perfectly possible

Thanks :-) Has anyone done away with their ntl line and used BT Broadband Voice instead? Is it a viable alternative? Is caller display likely to work with a Philips Zenia DECT phone?

[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by nkt

Is it possible to maintain broadband but have the ntl phone line disconnected and use the BT VoIP service instead?

The thing to remember is that just using BT VOIP and your cable connection means that you lose the ability to make or receive calls if your broadband goes down or you have a power cut.

[Chris W]

I haven't used any paid for VOIP services myself, but you might find some useful info in these links:

comaprison of different services

secuirty risks?

technical information

hth
MB

[nkt]

Originally Posted by ianathuth

The thing to remember is that just using BT VOIP and your cable connection means that you lose the ability to make or receive calls if your broadband goes down or you have a power cut.

I understand that. But I'm a student and none of my flatmates use or contribute financially towards the land line. I'm thinking this would be a good way to save money :-)

[altis]

Mmmm.... I received BT's little pamphlet with my phone bill this month and noticed a short reference to Broadband Voice. A little investigation on their website reveals it actualy to be VoIP - here and now!

The price seems to have dropped. The package with free evening and weekend calls is £6.50 per month and with free calls anytime is £14. There is a £1 reduction if you are on BT Broadband but (and this is the bit that suprised me) you can be with any broadband supplier. The adaptor is free but you have to sign up for 12 months.

It doesn't say so directly but this is sold as being suitable for a second phone line so, obviously, there are issues with reliabilty. And note that:

The only restrictions are that you can't call premium rate numbers, non-mobile personalised numbers (07), the operator, non BT directory enquiries, fax & dial-up Internet service providers, 15x short codes and emergency services.

[Ignition]

Originally Posted by nkt

I understand that. But I'm a student and none of my flatmates use or contribute financially towards the land line. I'm thinking this would be a good way to save money :-)

Also worth mentioning is that if your flatmates and yourself follow the usual student pattern of usage on a broadband connection (loads of P2P running a lot of the time, upload maxed out a fair bit, downloading like the wind) the VOIP won't work very well. Nothing you can do about that whoever your provider is.