Home Phones

If you're with BT, Virgin, Talk Talk or anyone else, you're paying too much. No one phone company is ever cheapest. However, it's easy to beat the system, and more than halve most phone bills. This step-by-step guide shows you how to quickly ensure EVERY call you make's at the lowest possible rate.

For example, you can get line rental, broadband, free weekend calls and 6p/min calls to mobiles for around £15 a month.

Ultimately, by using the cheapest combination of tariffs, which is really easy to do, you massively undercut any one standalone provider. Read the article below for full details. Yet if you're after a one-stop shop, Homephonechoices*, Uswitch*, Firsthelpline* or Simplify Digital's comparison services will help.

Who provides your landline?

The company providing your phone line isn't necessarily the same as the one you make calls through. Whether you've a standard phone line, cable line, or need a new installation, is crucial to deciding the right solution.

Standard phone lines... BT, Talk Talk, Sky and others

The vast majority of lines are provided by BT Openreach. Even if you pay line rental to TalkTalk, Sky or others, BT provides the hardware behind the scenes.

If possible, pay BT directly for line rental

To slash costs, get a main cheap calls provider, then use a special cheap override provider on top. As BT was once the monopoly provider, competition rules prevent it blocking access to these override numbers, but this doesn't apply to other companies. Some block them, or may do in the future, limiting your choice. Though thankfully not all overrides can be blocked.

So, if a non-BT calls provider asks "would you like your landline through us too?" say no, even if it's cheaper. Those savings are likely to be dwarfed by your inability to use overrides.

However, if the landline billing's part of an overall cheap calls package, then you've little choice. If you do end up paying BT line rental, and another company for calls, there are three quick tips to save you cash:

• Ensure it's BT's free basic option. Otherwise you'll be paying for a calls package you're not using.

• Opt for paperless billing. Many landline providers give discounts for opting to get bills via e-mail rather than post, eg, BT's normal line rental is £12.50/mth, but with paperless billing and direct debit payment, it drops to £11.25/mth - saving £15 a year.

• Avoid voicemail charges. BT charges if you sign up for voicemail services or caller display, unless you make two chargeable calls per month. As the calls cost pennies but the services pounds, it's worth deliberately making two calls. To do it, simply prefix your call with "1280", which routes it via BT.
  
  However, due to recent changes in BT's wholesale packages this isn't possible with some providers (read BT's statement). MoneySavers so far have reported problems with Sky, TalkTalk and AOL. Discuss the changes to 1280.

Cable phone lines... Virgin Media

For most people, cable means Virgin, which took over the merged NTL and Telewest a couple ofyears ago. Unlike standard line rental, it automatically provides calls, so it requires specific tactics to save.

• Haggle down the cost.

  Virgin is hunting for market share, and is voraciously fighting to keep customers. You can use this to smash down your costs. Note down the best deals below, call it up quoting these, and say you're considering leaving, as it's too expensive.

  Often the result's a reduced price or a number of months for free. If it isn't, do consider leaving. Many MoneySavers have repeatedly succeeded with this, so do try it. Add your feedback and read others' in the Virgin Media Discounts discussion; the Cheap Digital TV guide has more tips.

• Cut individual call costs.

  Virgin calls are often expensive, especially calling mobiles at up to 15p/min. Yet you can legally bypass this to nearly halve the cost, just by dialling a special code before calling. For full details, read the Cheap Calls To Mobiles and Cheap International Calls guides.

Need to install a line?

If you need to install a line, there are a few ways to cut the cost:

• Sign up for BT via Sky and it may be free.

  MoneySavers have suggested one way to cut the cost of getting a BT line is to sign up for a calls package with Sky for 12 months. It'll then refund the installation cost, though it may mean installing a satellite dish at the same time. It's not official, but worth checking if you're thinking of getting Sky.

• Virgin costs around £30.

  To install Virgin costs around £30, or even occasionally free with quick start self-install, but it gives a more limited choice and higher call costs.

Step 1: Choose your main calls provider

Dial a number, without any special code or prefix, and you pay the main calls provider. To choose one, first decide whether you want broadband wrapped in, which is generally the cheapest way; though you need to be out of your current broadband contract and happy to switch. Otherwise, skip to the cheapest standalone home phone deals. Always tell your existing provider you're leaving, as it may offer to beat/match that deal.

The cheapest home phone WITH broadband

Some of the most competitive deals are those where your home phone and broadband are bundled together; for comparison, remember BT's basic line rental alone costs £11.25/month. Yet the price of standalone broadband has dropped to around £6 a month for some (see Cheap Broadband) which means getting them separately can sometimes be cheaper.

• TalkTalk £19.41/month: line rental, broadband, free evening & weekend national calls plus anytime local calls.
  
  TalkTalk's* Essential package is £19.41 all-in, over its 18 month contract, which includes the connection fee. Its advantage over Tiscali is free calls to UK landlines at weekends, as well as local daytime calls. If you're likely to call either of those a lot, it's worth going for.
  
  It also offers boosts for £4 each, including extras such as increased speed, a higher download limit, anytime calls and half price calls to mobiles. In most cases the boosts aren't worth it, as you can get those add-ons cheaper elsewhere.
  
  TalkTalk’s broadband is available for most, but not all, of the UK, so do check eligibility* first. At launch, feedback on TalkTalk's customer service was shaky, however reports are this is much better now.
  
  For those on TalkTalk's old version of the Essential's package which included some free international calls, can ask to be switched to the new one with free local anytime calls instead. Otherwise you'll be automatically swapped over when your current contract ends.
  
  URGENT UPDATE 26 May 09. TalkTalk £50 cashback offer
  
  Sign up to TalkTalk's essentials package via comparison site Simplify Digital* before Sun 1 July and it'll pay you £50 cashback, making it even cheaper. The cheque will be posted 90 days after installation but you must go via Simplify Digital to get the cashback.
  
  Over the 18 mth contract, it costs £16.63/mth (inc. all charges & cashback). This is by far the market's cheapest, and ONLY £5.38/mth more than basic BT phone line rental. This is better than the offer you can currently get direct through TalkTalk*. It's offering free connection for a limited time, making the overall package £17.74 over the first 18 months.
  
  QUICK FACTS. Price: £19.41/month Free Calls: Evening & weekend Free Calls are free for: the first 70 minutes Broadband: Up to 8MB, 40GB download limit Free International Calls: No Connection: £30 Contract: 18 months Coverage: 70% of the UK Wireless: No Thinkbroadband rating: 2.5/5 Add your feedback/Read Others: TalkTalk Home & Broadband

• Tiscali £17.49/month: line rental, broadband, free weekend calls & a wireless router
  
  Easily the winner on price is Tiscali's* Option 1 'free broadband' offer, which has a £30 connection fee and costs £14.99/month. Over the year's contract, that works out at £17.49/month.

  That price includes broadband, line rental and free calls at weekends, plus some international calls (Tiscali's weekend is midnight Friday to midnight Sunday). The broadband's fast, officially up to a 8 Mbps, though this depends on your connection, and it has an unlimited download limit - subject to the usual fair usage policies. It's available to 55% of the country but double check it's available* in your area.
  
  TalkTalk’s just announced that it will be buying out Tiscali, which is reassuring for any Tiscali customers worried about its stability. However while TalkTalk has promised service and terms will stay the same for anyone currently with Tiscali, it’s probable prices for new customers will change in the next few months. More info

  QUICK FACTS. Avg. Price: £17.49/month Free Calls: Evenings Free Calls are free for: the first 60 minutes Broadband: Up to 8MB, Unlimited download limit (fair usage) Free International Calls: 10 destinations Connection: £30 Contract: 12 months Coverage: 55% of the UK Wireless: Yes Thinkbroadband rating: 2.5/5 Add your feedback/Read Others: Tiscali Home & Broadband

The Cheapest Standalone Home Phone deals

For the cheapest home phone package without broadband wrapped in, there are still some cracking deals. Choosing depends on the number of daytime calls you make to landlines.

• Few daytime calls. Primus' free evening & weekend calls for no additional fee

  BT's basic £11.25 a month line rental package automatically gives you free calls to UK landlines at weekends. Yet opt for Primus Saver as your main calls provider, and it gives free weekend and evening calls without any additional fee. You don't need to get your landline with Primus to be able to get the free weekend and evening calls.

  BT also has a free weekend & evening calls* package for no additional fee, but you need to lock in for a year, while Primus' contract's month-by-month. Plus with BT, the free calls only last 60 minutes, with Primus it's 90 minutes (read more on free calls ). However, when signing up, Primus may ask you to sign up for its line rental, don't do this (see picking your line rental).

  QUICK FACTS. Price: Primus Saver 2 is free. BT line rental is £11.25/month (payable to BT) Free Calls: Evening & weekend Connection: None Contract: No contract

• Lots of daytime calls to landlines. Euphony and Skype

  If you're at home during the day, and commonly make a couple of calls or more, it's worth getting these included in a free calls package.

• Skype £2.24 a month via the net. If you're willing to call via the internet then Skype's Unlimited Country* package offers unlimited any time landline calls within the UK for just £2.24/month. Here, you need a headset or internet phone connected to your computer, and then you can call other people on normal landlines. See the internet calls guide for a detailed explanation.

• Euphony's £3.90 a month via a normal phone. Euphony's euCall Anytime plan gives free calls to landlines at all times at a flat rate of £3.90/month when you sign up for a 12 month contract.
  
  Alternatively if you prefer a normal phone, BT offers its Anytime call plan* for £4.95/month, when you sign up for 12 months..

Step 2: Cut every call's cost

All the main calls packages include some free calls, but you can slice the cost of the rest too - whether it's calls to daytime landlines, mobiles, international destinations or 0870 numbers. For almost all of these, the way to save is with an override provider that you can access without changing phone company, read a quick override provider briefing.

Halve the cost of calling mobiles

While they advertise free calls, most providers exclude those to mobiles, as these are far more expensive, and make up the biggest proportion of our bill, meaning big bucks for phone companies. Yet it's easy to halve the price.

While most providers charge around 12p a min for daytime mobile calls, sign up to to 18185, then dial that number before you call a mobile and your call cost is reduced to 6p a min, it's cheaper at other times too. Alternatively, if your provider blocks the use of 18185 use the daily updated UK CallChecker to find the cheapest simply dial providers which cost as little as 6p/min.

For a detailed explanation, and alternatives in case your provider blocks 18185, read the Full Briefing: Cut The Cost Of Calling Mobiles

Calling landlines during the day

If your package doesn't include daytime calls to landlines, then it can be expensive. BT charges 4.5p/min, and Tiscali 3.9p/min, to call landlines during the day. Yet it's easy to slash this cost:

• 18185 charges 5p per CALL

  Specialist override provider 18185 wins again, at just 5p to call a landline, no matter how long you chat. Simply sign up to it online, then before the call, dial 18185 to connect to it for free. There is a chance your main calls provider will block it, in which case find the cheapest override provider accessible through dialling a normal phone number as listed by the UK Cheap Calls Checker.

• Other override providers cost as little as 0.5p/min

  If your provider blocks account needed override providers like 18185, it's still possible to slash the cost by using simply dial providers. Simply dial an 0844 number which will allow you to call at a special cheap rate from as little as 0.5p/min. To find the cheapest override provider, use the daily updated UK CallChecker. However charges from non-BT lines vary. While TalkTalk tends to keep prices in line with BT, Tiscali sometimes charges more for certain 0844 numbers.

• Skype £2.24/month for unlimited calls

  If you're willing to call via the internet, then Skype's Unlimited Country* package offers unlimited any time landline calls, within the UK for just £2.24/month. Here you need a headset or internet phone connected to your computer, and then you can call other people on normal landlines through that. See the internet calls guide for a bigger explanation.

• Upgrade your package

  If neither of those suit, and you're with Tiscali or TalkTalk, simply upgrade your package and pay a few pounds more a month to get the calls included for free.

Cut the cost of calling abroad

If your package doesn't include calls abroad or excludes a country you're dialling, be careful; it may be hideously expensive. Instead, there are a number of cost cutting options:

• Override providers cost as little as 0.4p/min

  Again, specialist override providers cost a fraction of main providers' prices and you won't need to change your phone line. To find the cheapest for each country use the International Cheap Calls Checker. Alternatively, if you've got free minutes left on your mobile read the Free International Calls From Mobiles guide.

• Skype £3.39 a month for unlimited calls to Europe

  If you're willing to call via the internet then Skype's Unlimited Europe* package provides calls to 20 EU countries. If you call non-EU countries the Unlimited World* package which costs £7.99 includes the EU countries plus Australia, China, Guam, Republic of Korea, Puerto Rico, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and the USA. Or if it's just the US and Canada you call Vonage* comes up trumps charging £6.99/month. For a full briefing and options read: Cheap International Calls and Voip: Free Calls Via Your PC.

Say no to 0870 calls, unless they're included

Not only are calls to 0870 numbers sometimes ten times that of a normal call, they're also not usually included in inclusive minute packages. This has now changed for BT customers: 0870 & 0845 numbers have been added to its inclusive call packages. So, if you've a BT package with free calls at weekends, you'll get free 0870/0845 calls at the weekend, and likewise if you've free calls in the evenings. Calls outside of inclusive minutes will still be charged at the usual rate, currently up to 5.8p/min.

Customers with other providers aren't so lucky; Sky and Virgin still charge up to 10p/min for daytime calls to 0870 numbers. Yet it's possible to beat this by using hidden normal numbers the companies don't want you to know about as an alternative, and if that doesn't work, there are ways to cut the cost too. For a full briefing read the Say No To 0870 article.

Can you grab cashback on top?

It’s often possible to grab extra cashback on top when you sign up for a home phones package. Yet it isn’t done direct. To get it you need sign up via a specialist cashback websites, these use affiliate links to generate revenue, and if they get paid when you get it, they give some or all of it to you.

Yet always first check that it's an identical product, clear any cookies if you’ve already clicked through, and remember as the cashback isn’t coming from the product provider, but playing the system to an extent, it's never 100% guaranteed, and there can be problems.

Therefore it's generally best to first pick the right product first and see the cashback as an added extra. For more information, pros and cons, and to find which cashback providers pay most for any product, see the Top Cashback Sites guide.

Plus sometimes there are special higher rates negotiated for the short term. These tend to have a higher payout reliability; when they happen we’ll try to list them here and include it in the weekly e-mail.

For heavy family phone use (nine hours to landlines and 4.5 hours to mobiles per month and a call to Gibraltar once a month) plus broadband, BT's basic Option 1 costs around £900 a year. Yet use Tiscali with the cheapest override providers for daytime calls and you can slash this to just £500, a massive 44% saving.