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BT Basic
Frequently Asked Questions
I am disabled or have a long-term illness, can I get BT Basic?
How many calls can I make using my Inclusive Calling Allowance?
How will I know when my call allowance used up?
What happens if I go over my call allowance?
What numbers can I call with my call allowance?
If I don't use up all of my call allowance in 3 months, can I carry it over?
Can I get BT Basic if I don't have a BT phone line?
I'm already on BT's Light User Scheme or In Contact Plus. Can I get BT Basic?
If don't qualify to get BT Basic, can you still help me?
Where can I get an application form?
I'm already on BT's Light User Scheme or In Contact Plus. When will I be moved over to BT Basic?
What happens if I am not eligible for BT Basic?
Q. What is BT Basic?
A. It's our new low-cost phone package created to help people on low incomes to ensure they can still afford a home phone service. It will replace our Light User Scheme and In Contact Plus service.
Q. Can I get BT Basic?
A. You must be receiving one of the following benefits to be eligible for BT Basic:
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Income Support or
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Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or
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Guaranteed Pension Credit or
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Employment Support Allowance (Income based).
Even if you're getting one of these three benefits there are certain exclusions that apply, such as a phone service provided by another company, if you have more than one phone line or have a business, temporary or payphone line. More information on these exclusions can be found in our Simple guide to BT Basic.
Q. I am disabled or have a long-term illness, can I get BT Basic?
A. If you're registered as being chronically (long-term) sick or disabled, you may be eligible for BT Basic and some of the restrictions won't apply to you. For example, you can still get BT Basic if you have more than one phone line, whether these are at the same or different addresses.
Q. How much is BT Basic?
A. BT Basic costs £13.20 (including VAT) every three months for your line rental. This includes a call allowance of up to £4.50 (including VAT) every three months to spend on local, national and international landline calls. This means customers can make £4.50 worth of calls every three months without paying anything more. Local and National calls are calculated on a 9.78ppm rate (plus 2.93p set-up fee for each phone call) whilst all other calls are calculated on the standard BT Calling package rates.
Q. How many calls can I make using my Inclusive Calling Allowance?
A. The inclusive Call allowance covers national, local and international calls, but the number of calls you can make depends on the length and type of calls. National and local calls are calculated based on a 9.78ppm rate (plus 2.93p set-up fee for each phone call), whilst international calls are calculated based on the standard BT calling package rates.
Q. How will I know when my call allowance used up?
A. You can get details of how much your bill currently totals using the Call My Bill service, which can be accessed free of charge by ringing 0800 44 3311, then press 1 for billing enquires then press 2 again for total cost since your last bill. Or you can view your bill online.
Q. What happens if I go over my call allowance?
A. If you go over your £4.50 call allowance, you'll pay 9.78p a minute (plus 2.93p set-up fee for each phone call) for all normal UK calls. If you go over your call allowance, you'll pay 9.78p a minute (plus 2.93p for each phone call) for all Local and National calls that you make. International calls will be charged at the standard Calling package rates.
Q. What numbers can I call with my call allowance?
A. You can use your call allowance for local, national and international land line calls. These include numbers that begin '01', '02' or '03'.
They do not include calls made through the operator, or calls to any of the following:
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The Channel Islands
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Premium-rate numbers
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The internet
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Mobile phones
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0845 or 0870 numbers
If you do make any of these calls, you'll be charged at our standard BT Calling Plan rates.
Q. If I don't use up all of my call allowance in 3 months, can I carry it over?
A. No. If you don't use up all of your call allowance within three months, you can't carry it over to the next three months.
Q. Can I get BT Basic if I don't have a BT phone line?
A. No. You need to have a BT phone line to get BT Basic. If you don't have a BT phone line then you will need to change to BT before you can get BT Basic. A one-off connection charge may apply to some customers. We'll let you know if this charge applies once you've ordered and we've made some checks. If the charge does apply you can spread the cost over a 12 month period (without incurring any additional charges). If you do choose to spread this connection charge, you will have to pay £24.49 as the 1st initial payment, followed by 4 quarterly payments of £24.46 each.
Q. I'm already on BT's Light User Scheme or In Contact Plus. Can I get BT Basic?
A. Maybe. From August 2008 we will start writing to all of our current Light User Scheme and In Contact Plus customers with details of BT Basic. We'll explain how to apply and, if you are eligible, how we will move you over to BT Basic.
Q. If don't qualify to get BT Basic, can you still help me?
A. Even if you can't get BT Basic, we may still be able to help you cut your phone costs. Our calling plans now include more calls and more features to help you keep costs down, and cost less than ever before. We will do all we can to find the best Calling Plan for your needs.
Q. How do I Apply for BT Basic?
A. You must be the named account holder if you want to apply for BT Basic. If you think you qualify to get BT Basic, you will need to fill in an application form and send it back to us. We will then let you know if you are eligible for BT Basic.
Q. Where do I get an application form from?
A. You can call BT on 0800 783 1675 to request an application form for BT Basic. You must be the named account holder to apply.
Q. I'm already on BT's Light User Scheme or In Contact Plus. When will I be moved over to BT Basic?
A. We'll only move you over if you are eligible. If you are eligible we write to you to let you know when we will be moving over to BT Basic.
Q. What happens if I am not eligible for BT Basic?
A. If you are existing BT Light User Scheme customer or In Contact Plus customer and you are not eligible for BT Basic, we will write to you to confirm which of our Calling Plans we will be moving you to.
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