BT today announced that it is to offer its Anytime customers free calls to 0870 and 0845 telephone numbers.
These national rate numbers, often used by banks and insurance companies, have been the bane of British phone enthusiasts for many a year. But for just £4.85 a month, these numbers are now free to call, along with calls to standard UK landlines.
John Petter, managing director of BT's Consumer business, said: "We know that the public is frustrated by having to pay higher charges for these numbers, even though BT's rates were cheaper than our rivals, so we worked out a way to go further and include calls to 0870 and 0845 numbers in our call packages.
"All of our 14m customers have free calls included in their package and now all 14m have free calls to 0870 and 0845 at times that fit with their calling plan, which is something not offered by any of our competitors."
Your comments (6) Click to add a new comment
m.raw
April 23rd 2010
6. Well thats a good news for small business owners, especially for those who are looking for effective strategies to grow their business. A freephone number may give you the best return for your investment. A business using a freephone number in its advertisements is guaranteed to stand out from the competition. What it communicates to the customers is that you care enough to hear from them, so much so that you are willing to bear the cost of their call. When a customer searches for a plumber or a florist or any other small business in the crowded yellow page listings whom do you think he will call first? The one with a freephone number? Or any other?
Apart from encouraging the customers to call you, the 0800 numbers also help you attract customers irrespective of the location. Not to mention the fact that even if you shift your business to another area, your number need not change. In the past, small businesses could not afford such luxuries. But nowadays, such number plans are affordable and accessible even to small businesses. Apart from freephone numbers, companies also offer 0844 numbers, <a href="http://www.numberstore.com/">0845 numbers</a> etc. at very affordable plans. It is a great opportunity for any small business owner who is serious about taking his business to the next level.
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rajapatel
June 21st 2009
5. Interesting that some companies offer an international services using the 0870. See www.07822.co.uk
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philocrates
January 10th 2009
4. OR the price plan is that much a year ALREADY, meaning that those already on it are receiving it free.
It offers loads of other stuff, like unlimited calls anytime (a quick check of the site proves this) so adding the free 0870 calling on top of this is free.
I'd agree with the comments if it was a new special charge, but it's not.
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joshua_rosenburg
January 8th 2009
3. So, James Rivington, can you tell me how £58.20 a year is Free? Is there something I'm missing here or are you another of these web journos who just rehashes a press release and puts it out?
Raise your game please, your company's reputation is at stake.
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lonely
January 8th 2009
2. **, **,**... It's free for a fee. No doubt there will be the vat to be added? I'm sure Dudley Dumbkoff in No 10 will want his share/
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marcvk
January 8th 2009
1. So if it's £4.85 a month it's not really free, is it? In fact I make that £58.20 a year which is a lot to be calling your bank for.
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