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Ask our Expert

If you’re having problems with your home phone supplier, from billing disputes to choosing a new calling plan, why not write to ourexpert@homephonechoices.co.uk.

Simon Piper at Homephonechoices.co.uk can help with anything from contractual problems to giving tips on reducing your bills, or telling you how to save money on your home phone and line rental.

Your home phone questions answered...

Disputing a phone bill

I have just received my latest phone bill from BT. I think it is wrong and that I may have been charged for calls I didn’t make. What should I do?

Do any providers offer line rental-only deals?

I’m looking for a line rental-only deal that is both affordable and available to all, whatever their circumstances. Have you any suggestions?

Can I keep my number if I switch home phone provider?

I want to switch provider but I'd like to keep my current phone number - is this possible? Can I keep my exisiting landline number?

Can I get a cheaper phone and broadband package?

I am looking to cut my costs, as I know BT is raising its prices again later in the year. What is the cheapest home phone and broadband deal? Should I switch to Virgin Media?

My landline has been switched without my consent - what can I do?

If your landline has been switched to another provider, you are a victim of an extreme form of mis-selling, known as "slamming". Read our top tips on how to avoid landline slamming...

What is a virtual phone number?

I am working in Spain over the summer. Is there a way I can take my phone number with me to Spain, so people can still contact me?

How can I stop nuisance phone calls?

My elderly mother has recently started receiving a lot of nuisance calls from telesales companies and it is distressing her. Is there anything we can do to stop these calls?

I am locked into my line rental contract with BT until the end of the year, but I would like to switch my calls to another provider. Is this possible? And if so, which providers offer calls-only packages?
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What is a ‘chargeable call’?

Can you tell me what is meant by “two chargeable calls per month”? Does this mean mobile or international calls?

Do I have to sign a contract to get a new phone line installed?

Is there any way I can get a line installed without signing up to a call plan? Do any providers other than BT install phone lines?

Free evening call times

I’ve seen that BT recently moved its evening calls to 7pm. I'm a Pipex customer and just wanted to make sure that its evening calls still start at 6pm?

I have a Tesco Internet Phone - can I switch to Vonage?

My Tesco Internet Phone service is being stopped, so I need to change. I want to use an internet phone service, so what are my options? Who else offers an internet phone service?

How much are calls to the Republic of Ireland?

I live in Northern Ireland and make a lot of calls to the Republic of Ireland. These are treated as national calls by BT and TalkTalk, but how much does Primus charge for these calls?

Can I get free calls to mobiles and international numbers?

Do any telephone companies offer a package where all local and national UK landline calls are included, as well as calls to UK mobiles and some international landlines?

Will switching to Primus affect my broadband?

I want to switch to Primus but I'm worried that switching will affect my broadband. Will switching to Primus will have an impact on my broadband?

How do I pay my phone bill?

It seems that most of the suppliers charge extra for receiving paper bills in the post, and if you don’t pay by direct debit. Are there any suppliers that don’t charge?

Can I get a second phone line installed?

I’d like to get a second line into my house, what’s the most cost-effective way of adding one?

Can I get an incoming calls-only package?

Is it possible to get a landline installed to receive only incoming calls? What would you recommend? Are there any providers who offer incoming calls-only packages?

How much do calls cost with BT?

I’m a BT Evening & Weekend Call Plan customer - do the VAT price changes affect me? And if so, how much will it cost me to make calls from my landline now?

Can I switch from the BT Light User Scheme?

I am on the BT Light User Scheme, which is ending soon. I am not eligible for BT Basic and will be automatically transferred to BT’s Unlimited Weekend Plan, what should I do?

How can I reconnect to BT?

I want to go back to BT - how do I get my line connected?

Can I get a phone line installed just for broadband?

I need a home phone line so that I can get a broadband connection. Who offers cheap installation?

How do I switch my home phone service?

How do I switch my service? Will I need to get an engineer out to change the phones or wires or anything?

What is a call connection fee?

I read recently that some home phone providers are putting up their call connection fees. What is a call connection fee and how much does it cost?

I’m with TalkTalk - Why can’t I switch?

I recently tried to switch our landline phone to YoursCalls.net but the switch was refused because we are with TalkTalk. I don’t understand why this is a problem....

How much do calls to 0870 and 0845 numbers cost?

I know that BT customers get free calls to 0870 and 0845 numbers on certain packages, but are there any other providers that offer free calls to these premium numbers?

Should I choose a Virgin Media or BT landline?

I'm moving into a new house and can't decide between Virgin Media or BT...
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Who offers free calls to the Channel Islands?

My family live in Jersey. Although their phone number is 01534, BT doesn't include the Channel Islands in its free evening and weekend calls. Do you know any providers that do?

Which suppliers offer cheap international calls?

I have family in America, Australia and Germany who I call regularly. What packages are available that offer free, inclusive or really cheap weekend, evening and international rates for my area?...
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Where is my supplier’s customer services based?

Customer service is very important to me and I want a supplier that has a UK-based call centre. Where are the different suppliers’ customers services call centres based?

Are there any alternatives to BT for a phone line in a new build property?

I am just about to move into a newly built house. It has BT points installed, but can any company take it over? I was always under the impression that as they are BT points, only BT could install/connect the phone line...
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How are extra calling features priced?

Are the prices for features such as caller display or call barring a one-off charge for enabling them, or a monthly or daily charge?

Do any phone providers offer one-month contracts?

We are want to get a phone line installed, but most providers want us to take an 18-month contract with them. However we are usually out of the country for eight months of the year, so just want a one-month package...
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What if there's a fault on my line?

I am thinking of changing my landline from BT to another supplier. What would happen in the event of a line failure, and who would repair it?

Will switching supplier affect my broadband connection?

I would like to switch my current home phone line from Virgin Media to BT; are there any costs for switching to BT, such as installation? Also, how do I go about switching to BT?

Phone line installation options

My new house has a BT landline but it has been disconnected because the previous tenants did not pay their bills. Can I get a landline from a different home phone provider other than BT?
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Switching your phone line from Virgin Media to BT

I would like to switch my current home phone line from Virgin Media to BT; are there any costs for switching to BT, such as installation? Also, how do I go about switching to BT?

Who supplies my home phone?

I have just moved into a new house but don’t know which supplier provides the phone line at the property. How do I find out who supplies my home phone service? Will I automatically be put into a contract with the supplier?
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Your home phone questions answered...