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[Bowdon]

UK ISP BT Improves ‘Basic’ Social Phone Tariff for Low Income Users

The consumer (retail) division of BT has confirmed that their subsidised BT Basic social tariff, which is a low-cost phone service for those on low-incomes or certain state benefits, has been improved with the addition of a £10 calls cap.

Eligible customers currently pay monthly line rental to BT of just £5.10 (vs £18.99 for standard line rental) and this comes with a call allowance of £1.50, as well as free weekend calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers (up to 60 minutes). All of this can optionally be taken with a special 12GB capped ‘up to’ 17Mbps (ADSL2+) ADSL broadband service and, with BT Basic line rental included, the total cost is just £9.95 a month.

However BT has now further improved this service by introducing a £10 cost cap on calls, which means that customers can make as many calls as they like and they’ll never be charged more than £10 (calls only).

    Who can get BT Basic?

    You must be getting one of these benefits:

    * Income Support

    * Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

    * Pensions Credit (Guaranteed Credit)

    * Employment and Support Allowance (Income related)

    * Universal Credit (and are on zero earnings).

I never knew about this reduced rates. I bet there is a lot who can qualify for this.

I qualify on 2 benefits, though I'm not the bill payer in this property. But I bet some people could get this but didn't know it existed.

[Chrysalis]

I think in FTTC areas they should supply a capped 16mbit VDSL connection instead tho.

[phi2008]

The world is moving on from ADSL and this needs to involve FTTC as well. People don't just select FTTC for absolute speed but also for reasons of reliability - relatively short cable run between cabinet and premises hopefully means less issues with dodgy copper.

An old comment on ThinkBroadband suggested the social tariff was ADSL only, but a comment today on ISPreview suggests you can have it with FTTC - however the FTTC becomes more expensive.

Also I believe BT are the only ones required to provide a social tariff.