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Can I get an incoming calls-only package?

Hello, can you help me? Is it possible to get a landline installed to receive only incoming calls?

My son and his family live in a house where there is no mobile phone reception, which is quite frustrating when I’m trying to contact him. I have said I will pay for the installation and upkeep of a landline for him but would not want to have to pay for any calls he might make.

What would you recommend? Are there any providers who offer incoming calls-only packages?

Edeltraud Dent, via email, Updated: Tuesday 1 June, 2010

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Our expert says...

Hi Edeltraud, thanks for your enquiry about incoming calls-only home phone packages. Getting a landline installed at his house would certainly help when you’re trying to contact him, as well as cutting down your costs - depending on your own calling plan, calling him could cost you nothing.

Below is some more information about phone line installations and choosing a package with incoming calls-only…

Getting a landline installed

When it comes to getting a phone line installed or reconnected in your home, there are a number of options.

It will cost you anything between £60 and £130, depending on the home phone provider you choose.

You may be able to get your new line installed for free, if you sign-up to a bundled package with broadband or digital TV services. But this would mean the bills would reflect the additional broadband and/or TV services - so might not be quite what you’re looking for. From your letter, I get the impression you want to keep your on-going costs for this service to a minimum. You should consider the following:

Free installation		Fastest setup

Call BT now 0800 028 4474	Find out more VirginMedia.com	Call Primus now 0800 036 0170	Call TalkTalk now 0800 049 7834	Call BT now 0800 028 4474
£0 with Calls Broadband + TV	£0 with Calls Broadband + TV £35 otherwise	£69 connection charge	£69.99 connection charge	£127.99 BT connection charge
Setup within 4 working days for a connection, and up to 16 working days for new line installations *	Setup usually within 2 weeks. Plus you can normally keep your number. Virgin Media also offers a 28 day money back guarantee *	Setup between 3 and 5 days normally	Setup within 20 days for new line installations. If you are switching from Virgin Media, you can keep this line until your new one has been installed *	Setup within 4 working days for a connection, and up to 16 working days for new line installations *
Call BT now 0800 028 4474	Find out more VirginMedia.com	Call Primus now 0800 036 0170	Call TalkTalk now 0800 049 7834	Call BT now 0800 028 4474

* All providers allow you to select a convenient appointment on a suitable date when you place your order online. However, line setup times will typically depend on the availability of an engineer, and other factors, such as the number of concurrent line installations in your area.

BT (www.bt.com), Britain’s biggest communications provider, charges £127.99 to reconnect or install a phone line. You can get this free however, if you take a phone and broadband package with BT.

Other providers, such as TalkTalk (www.talktalk.co.uk), Primus Saver and Sky (www.sky.com) also offer landline installation. You could also opt for Virgin Media’s cable phone line, which could save you money by bundling your son’s broadband and TV services with Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com). For more information and a breakdown of all the costs, read our guide to phone line installation options.

You need to remember, before deciding on a provider to install your line, that ultimately you will be locked into at least a 12-month contract, so you should ensure the provider you choose to install the line is going to provide you with a call plan that will suit your needs, i.e. one with an incoming calls-only plan. BT doesn’t offer an incoming calls-only package.

Incoming calls-only tariffs

Choosing an incoming calls-only tariff could help reduce your bills, especially if someone in your household makes a lot of expensive calls, and you have no control over it. These could be calls to international numbers, mobiles or premium rate numbers, such as those for chatlines and game shows. For more information about the cost of calls to different numbers, read our guide on phone numbers and calling costs.

With an incoming calls-only tariff you will not be able to make calls using your landline, though you will be able to receive calls. You will still have to pay line rental however, and, with some providers, you may have to pay extra to be on an incoming calls-only tariff.

Below is a breakdown of the main providers, the price each charges for line rental and the incoming calls-only tariff, and how you can request the tariff:

Provider	Provider Details	Line rental cost (per month)	Incoming calls-only tariff cost (per month)	How to sign-up for the incoming calls-only tariff
Virgin Media	www.virginmedia.com	£11	£2	Request the service by calling 0845 840 7777
Primus Saver	Primus Review	£12.99	Free	Request the service by calling 0800 036 3839
Direct Save Telecom	www.directsavetelecom.co.uk	£13.36	Free	Sign-up for Direct Save Telecom online
TalkTalk	www.talktalk.co.uk	£11.49	Free	Request the service by calling 0800 049 7834

It’s important to remember that with an incoming calls-only call plan, you will not be able to make any outgoing calls, except to the emergency services.

Some of the providers above may not be available in your area, and in some cases may only be available if you bundle your broadband with your home phone contract, so it is also important to do a price comparison using our postcode checker.

I hope this information helps you make a decision on who to get to install your son’s phone line Edeltraud. Remember to consider all the costs involved, including the installation costs, the price of the monthly line rental and the cost of getting an incoming calls-only package.