BT Privacy (free caller display)

[KITT]

Ok, so what's the catch? All of a sudden BT are now offering [b]free[/b] caller display as long as you [i]"continue to make some calls with BT"[/i]. They'll also sign you up to the TPS. I'm already ex-directory and don't get any junk phone calls, but do like the idea of caller display.

I've read all their blurb and can't see a catch. I'm always dubious of something for nothing. Any one signed up yet?

[simpo two]

I suppose it's to stop you signing up with One-Tel etc.

I route all private calls through One-Tel and it's excellent. £10.99pcm including all standard calls at all times. Fully itemised. Why can't BT do it?

[KITT]

[bump]

Anyone notice a catch?

[silversun]

WTF? I have caller display from BT and I'm paying for it!

[roadsweeper]

I pay £9.99/month for VoIP vi my NTL broadband connection with vonage, which includes local and national landline calls at all times, free caller ID display, itemised billing, call forwarding, call conferencing, voicemail, email of voicemails, etc.

I used to use OneTel but frankly vonage is cheaper (even for international calls - 2.5p/min to US mobile at all times) and more convenient.

Oh, and I also use Skype.

[simpo two]

KITT said:

Anyone notice a catch?

Ah spotted it. When BT say 'free' they actually mean at least £4.99 a month.

[KITT]

simpo two said:

Ah spotted it. When BT say 'free' they actually mean at least £4.99 a month.

I *knew* there'd be a catch somewhere! Where does it say that then:

www.bt.com/btprivacy/faqs/

Can't see it here anywhere

[pdV6]

I agree - it seems to say that there is no minimum spend, other than you have to make "some" calls through BT. Doesn't define "some", though.

[hui]

and, to quote the website

"Caller Display requires a compatible phone which can be ordered from BT Shop......"

Mrs Hui

[Graham]

roadsweeper said:

I pay £9.99/month for VoIP vi my NTL broadband connection with vonage, which includes local and national landline calls at all times, free caller ID display, itemised billing, call forwarding, call conferencing, voicemail, email of voicemails, etc.

Another shout for vonage here... we use it for business lines... dosent half confuse peeps when we have a birmigham number though

[g_attrill]

hui said:

and, to quote the website "Caller Display requires a compatible phone which can be ordered from BT Shop......"

Or much cheaper on ebay (£3 for a display module), or www.telephonesonline.co.uk etc.

Gareth

[miniandy]

Graham said:

Another shout for vonage here... we use it for business lines... dosent half confuse peeps when we have a birmigham number though

So just out of interest, will customers calling your number be charged for a call to a Birmingham number? Also, do you need IP phones? cheers

[roadsweeper]

miniandy said:

Graham said: Another shout for vonage here... we use it for business lines... dosent half confuse peeps when we have a birmigham number though So just out of interest, will customers calling your number be charged for a call to a Birmingham number? Also, do you need IP phones? cheers

People calling your vonage number are charged for the area code you have chosen. So, for example, I live in Cheshire but have a London area code (0207), so people get charged for a London call, even if they're just down the road!

On the plus side, you can choose an area code to suit your clients, or even have multiple numbers (£2.99 per number with vonage IIRC) so it's an advantage really.

Hope that helps.

[munky]

What do they normally charge? I use Tspeak for £0 per month, most calls substantially cheaper than BT and am loath to route calls through BT

Skype - same people as Kazaa right - does it come with loads of adware like Kazaa?

[roadsweeper]

munky said:

What do they normally charge? I use Tspeak for £0 per month, most calls substantially cheaper than BT and am loath to route calls through BT Skype - same people as Kazaa right - does it come with loads of adware like Kazaa?

I don't think Skype is commercially linked to Kazaa, but the guy behind it did come up with one of the early filesharing apps (can't remember which one) so maybe that's where you've heard it? As for spyware/adware, etc., I'm pretty sure it doesn't come with anything like that.

[plug]

silversun said:

WTF? I have caller display from BT and I'm paying for it!

Me to, tink I may cancel it then then get it back for free.

[jimothy]

plug said:

silversun said: WTF? I have caller display from BT and I'm paying for it! Me to, tink I may cancel it then then get it back for free.

Didn't BT have an ad a few months ago with Jerermy Clarkson harping on about how BT doesn't do special offers just for new customers, their offers are available to everyone...