SkyTalk Changes effective 15th April 2008 (& 1st July)

[chrcol]

been using this device now for some weeks I have had a single call where it dialled out the wrong number (i didnt misdial programmed into my phone) and 2 or 3 occasions where I just heard screeching noises otherwise been fine and well worth the money.

[puretoon]

I was thinking of changing over to Sky Talk from BT, but after reading the posts think I'll stay put! I use my mobile a lot for 01, 02 etc and BT for 0845 etc, so if Sky are increasing their charges its a no-no.

I've used that Say no to 0870 site quite alot, but have found quite a few 0870's aren't listed. One poster said not to ring those numbers, but sometimes you have to.

I'm also one of those BT users who are paying the £18 per year extra and am not amused by it. Ofcom are supposed to be looking into it and have been for years now without any results-so much for Ofcom! It's more suitable for me to stay on quarterly bills for my budget and do not like penalised for it. All other companies give you discount for paying monthly, not penalising the quarterly's, but not BT.

[Heinz]

Originally Posted by puretoon

I'm also one of those BT users who are paying the £18 per year extra and am not amused by it. Ofcom are supposed to be looking into it and have been for years now without any results-so much for Ofcom! It's more suitable for me to stay on quarterly bills for my budget and do not like penalised for it. All other companies give you discount for paying monthly, not penalising the quarterly's, but not BT.

I think you have misunderstood what the £4.50 per quarter charge BT imposes is for - you get charged it if you pay by a method other than DD and has nothing to do with monthly or quarterly billing.

BTW, That £1.50 per month 'non-DD charge' is easily beaten by Virgin Media - they charge £5 per month!

[oldun]

Originally Posted by blade

simple answer to all 0845 and 0870 numbers goto saynoto0870 problem solved.

Unfortunately this is not true.

The saynoto0870 service is an excellent service but it can not find an alternative geographical number in every instance. Mostly it comes up trumps but there have been quite a few occasions when no number is offered of the number offered is not correct.

[Fixer109]

Originally Posted by bbb_uk

If people pay by direct debit (normal these days) and opt for paper-free billing (ie they receive statements via email) then that would save them money and they could have line rental for £10.50 per month.

As far as i'm aware, the price of 0845/0870 are staying the same on BT. It's just the cost of calls after an hour will go up as well as linerental for those that dont pay via direct debit and dont opt for online billing.

I agree here but providing your linerental stays with BT, you can enjoy the best of both worlds and have BT (or even other providers) handle your 0845/0870 calls rather than the expensive Sky.

Has anyone tried the alternative -SKYPE

It has many benefits worth looking into - especially video calls

[david_now]

Originally Posted by Heinz

Cost comparisons:



* For those who leave their line rental with BT (i.e. just use Sky Talk as a CPS calls provider), it used to be possible to use the 1280 prefix to 'hop back onto BT' for 0845 and 0870 calls. Sky now ignores the 1280 prefix - thus 'forcing' Sky Talk CPS subscribers to pay its excessive rates for these calls.

Is this still the case ?

I had a letter saying my BB cost would double to £10 from March unless I switched to 'Sky Talk Freetime', in which case they'd guarantee no increase this year, so a saving of £50.

Frankly, with the inclusive mobile minutes I have, I hardly ever use landline except for calling 0845/0870 numbers when I can't find an alternative on saynoto0870.com.

So, the free calls are no benefit but the reduced BB cost is worth having.

If I switch to 'Sky Talk Freetime', will I
- still be able to use BT for 0845/0870 numbers
- still be able to use 12450 to use 'Telesave' for my international calls

I won't be switching line rental from BT. Sky offered me half price for six months, but I could be tempted by 12 months free.

One more thing, If I sign up to 'Sky Talk Freetime', am I commiting myself to a minimum term before I can move elsewhere ?

[Heinz]

Originally Posted by david_now

Is this still the case ?

If I switch to 'Sky Talk Freetime', will I
- still be able to use BT for 0845/0870 numbers
- still be able to use 12450 to use 'Telesave' for my international calls

Yes.

No - you'll have to pay Sky's excessive rates (because using the 1280 prefix will no longer send calls via BT).

Because you still pay line rental to BT, Sky cannot stop you sending calls via other calls providers - except, bizarrely, via BT (because Sky calls are carried on BT's network, the 1280 prefix will do nothing).

[david_now]

Originally Posted by bbb_uk

Important prices changes to SkyTalk package
Effective from 15th April 2008

Connection Fee:
The connection fee for all non-inclusive calls will increase from 6p to 7p, unless a separate connection fee or minimum fee is specified.

.

Dear me ...... another hidden charge !!!!

Does this connection fee apply to calls tp
- 0800
- 0845/0870
- 12450