Updated: Monday 7 January, 2013
Switching to Direct Save Telecom (www.DirectSaveTelecom.co.uk) could save you money on UK and international phone calls. But as a smaller supplier, would it be the right choice for you?
Direct Save Telecom, the trading name of Utilities UK Ltd, has been in operation as an independent phone service provider since 1999. As well as competitive home phone packages, Direct Save Telecom also offers broadband connections for homes and offices.
Direct Save Telecom currently offers three home phone packages, which include both line rental and calls:
With any of these home phone deals you will receive one monthly bill from Direct Save Telecom, and the company will deal with all aspects of your service, including any faults on the line.
All Direct Save Telecom customers get free unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines, and for an additional charge you can opt for unlimited evening calls, or unlimited anytime calls as well. The supplier also offers competitive call rates to international destinations and cheaper rates than BT for calls to mobiles.
Direct Save Telecom operates a carrier pre-selection system, so you can make calls through the Direct Save Telecom network without having to dial pre-fix numbers or installing extra equipment.
Also, Direct Save Telecom’s one-bill option lets you organise your bills into one simple monthly payment. Consider bundling broadband with Direct Save Telecom’s no-contract broadband package to make even more savings.
Switching to Direct Save Telecom is quick and hassle-free. If you already have an active phone line, there will be no interruption to service, and you can keep the same phone number you currently have.
The switch will be carried out at your local telephone exchange, so an engineer won’t need to visit your house, and Direct Save Telecom will tell your existing home phone supplier that it will be billing you for your line rental, line services and calls in the future.
If you don’t have a phone line, or if you are currently a cable customer (i.e. Virgin Media), Direct Save Telecom can arrange and manage the installation of a new line for you. Currently this will cost £49.95 - special offer price, usually £118.80 - cheaper than having the line installed by BT.
If you already have an existing line but it is not active, Direct Save Telecom can activate the line within 24-48 hours, however, you will need to pay a security deposit of £100.00. This charge will be returned to you should you ever leave Direct Save Telecom, but only after you have paid your final bill in full.
Home phone packages from Direct Save Telecom start from as little as £13.75 a month. When you switch to Direct Save Telecom you will pay £13.75 a month for your line rental. Option 1 is a free package offering unlimited free weekend calls. This package is designed for light users.
Option 2 costs £2.55 a month, plus £13.75 line rental, and gives customers free evening and weekend calls.
Direct Save Telecom also has a tariff that offers free anytime calls, Option 3. This package costs £4.95 a month, plus £13.75 line rental.
It’s important to note that Direct Save Telecom customers must pay for their home phone bills by monthly direct debit and all tariffs are 28-day rolling contracts. This means that your contract with Direct Save Telecom will be automatically renewed on an on-going basis every 28 days and until you give the company written notice of termination with 28 days notice. If you fail to give at least 28 days notice when cancelling your contract, you will be charged £19.50.