Home phone Guides

Get a business phone line

Updated: Tuesday 24 August, 2010

By Leah Boundy - editorial@consumerchoices.co.uk

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If you’re looking to install a cheap business phone line in your home, there are a few options to consider, including making calls via the internet. Our guide will help you find the cheapest option for you...

Take a look at the table to find out more about what’s on offer from the various business phone providers:

	Call BT now 0808 109 1658	Call Primus Business 0800 036 0122 FREEPHONE	Call Vonage now 0800 804 8988	Call Plusnet Business 0114 296 5133 CALL NOW
Monthly cost *	£14.45 500 free minutes	£9.49 Capped call package	£5.99 Excludes line rental	£13.00 PAYG business package
Min. contract	12 Months	24 Months	12 Months	12 Months
What's included?	Set up your phone line with BT and get 500 free landline minutes a month, 24/7 support and call management tools to help lower your business costs and bills	Price promise guarantee - cheap calls and line rental, 24 hour account management & your phone line will still be repaired and maintained by BT Openreach	Reduce your business overheads using VoIP (works by using any phone and broadband connection) - Ideal for small businesses, select dialling code plus other features	Get Primus Business broadband as an add-on, as well as inclusive day time calls to landlines and call features. Call to discuss your options now
	Call BT now 0808 109 1658	Call Primus Business 0800 036 0122 FREEPHONE	Call Vonage now 0800 804 8988	Call Plusnet Business 0114 296 5133 CALL NOW

* Excludes VAT. Terms and conditions apply.

Internet business phone alternatives

If you’re after a cheaper alternative, the best business phone line option is not to have a phone line at all! Using a broadband connection and a service like Vonage, you can make cheap - or even free - calls over the internet.

For instance, if you sign-up to Vonage, calls to other Vonage users are free. With a subscription you will also benefit from calls to landlines at a reduced price. This also cuts out all the installation, set-up and line rental charges you’d have to pay with BT (www.bt.com) or Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com).

BT also offers a similar internet phone service, which you can use as an alternative to a business telephone system. Known as BT Broadband Talk, it requires a BT internet connection and doesn’t come with an installation or line rental fee. The system uses a BT Hub phone and operates just like a business phone line with a separate number to your main line.

You’ll get a new, separate number with BT Broadband Talk.

Phone lines for home workers

If you are working from home as a business, both BT (www.bt.com) and Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) can provide cheap business phone lines for your home. With BT, a standard phone socket will be installed, along with ADSL internet if you need it.

Virgin Media offers a cable phone service, which lets customers take advantage of cable broadband - this can reach speeds of up to 50Mb in some areas.

BT’s installation charge for a new phone line is up to £29.99, whereas Virgin Media charges £35 if you bundle your phone line with your broadband. Whichever company you decide on, a minimum 12-month contract will be in place.

Whichever supplier you choose, an engineer will need to visit your home to install the line. Most new lines are installed within five to 14 working days.

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