Cheapest phone providers

[JoyDivision]

I need a cheap landline in my bedroom as I intend to start trading within in the next week or so.

I don't really want to use my mobile as the prime point of contact becuase I think it looks unprofessional.

So far the cheapest package I found is with NTL, but does anybody know any other cheap ones? BT is ok but I think they charge for installation where as NTL don't.

I don't need any bells and whistles but caller display would be nice.

[uksbc]

are you looking to make outbound calls just inbound?

there are some providers of 0870, 0800 or 0845 numbers which will point them to a mobile. (most have to point to a landline)

you will have to pay a surcharge for calls received but it depends on how many calls you receive and how portable you need to be

i have organised these a few times for clients as it means you are not tied to your bedroom and you can answer calls in the car or in the pub and the end user still think they are ringing your office. it is a effective solution for small one man businesses - when you do expand then you can just re-route the number to your new office or landline number without reprinting your literature, business cards etc

for high volume calls it works out expensive but for low volume it is more cost effective than having your landline divert to your mobile

its quite a bit to consider but now is the time to consider it before you start committing yourself to landline rental or installation charges!

if you need any help let me know - normal numbers are live in 15 mins but to mobiles i can usually get them live in 2 or 3 days

[JoyDivision]

That is certainly worth considering, it will save money on having to buy a phone as well. Would I know who is calling though or would all numbers come up as witheld?

I like the idea of being able to take calls when I am out of my bedroom, but if I am not in my bedroom if its a call from a new customer it might be hard, it dosn't sound professional if I was on a bus for example.

Its somthing I need to think hard about, I don't want customers phoning me at 11:00 at night for example if I am out.

Is their any setup costs involved in this?

[Urban Space]

I think BT exploit their position as one of the first and most popular providers. People don't want to have all the hastle of switching to a different provider so BT take advantage and charge too much! However, I've heard that NTL has bad customer helplines - 'You are currently 34th in line, your call will be answered in 50 minutes.' BT have great customer service, you're soon through.

Hope that helps?

Liam

[cjd]

Do you have a broadband connection in your home? If so you should use a VoIP service.

In your situation it's the perfect answer, no contracts, no set-up costs, free telephone numbers outging calls at about 1p per minute etc etc. You don't even need a telephone; just use the free softphone!

Have look through this.

https://www.voipfone.co.uk/FAQ.php

[emubill]

If you look at my services web site there are landline services for telephones which have just been voted best for household line rental and calls by an independent body.

Check it out. If you need any further help pm me


Nige

[Rob Holmes]

I 100% use and recommend www.18866.co.uk

You have to get a basic BT line (£10 a month) and can add features but all calls go via 18866 - all UK calls are 4p connection fee at any time

Rob

[JoyDivision]

Thanks people there is a lot of options there. I will have a good think about the best solution.

[fastfences]

Its somthing I need to think hard about, I don't want customers phoning me at 11:00 at night for example if I am out.


Hi JD,
don't forget if the above were the case they would be picked up by your voicemail - if you've got it activated.
Cheers, Nigel

[JoyDivision]

I have spent a day looking into all this and I am more confused than ever. The problem is its essential that I have a local rate dial in number, with the VIOP solutions I have to pay for some of the incoming call.

I think it will be a lot less hassle and possibly more reliable just to use a traditional land line service.

[Trident]

In my opinion for what you want to use your phone for i'd stick 2 a traditional line get a BT line as if you would for personnal use and when its all set up then go looking for lease cost rounting packages if you want some info on LCR like rates and stuff, jus ask me and ill sent you a copy of the providers my company use!

Hope that helps Dan,

[webit]

Also as posted on here today:

http://www.numberstore.com

phone -> email on a 0870 number

[cjd]

I have spent a day looking into all this and I am more confused than ever. The problem is its essential that I have a local rate dial in number, with the VIOP solutions I have to pay for some of the incoming call.

I think it will be a lot less hassle and possibly more reliable just to use a traditional land line service.

It IS terribly confusing.

You don't pay for incoming calls on Voip tho. All you would pay is £1.99 per month to rent either a local number or an 0845 number. You can cancel the number without notice.

I'm not trying to sell you this stuff - for £1.99 it's hard for me to care! But if you want me to talk you through it; PM me

[JoyDivision]

I have spent a day looking into all this and I am more confused than ever. The problem is its essential that I have a local rate dial in number, with the VIOP solutions I have to pay for some of the incoming call.

I think it will be a lot less hassle and possibly more reliable just to use a traditional land line service.

It IS terribly confusing.

You don't pay for incoming calls on Voip tho. All you would pay is £1.99 per month to rent either a local number or an 0845 number. You can cancel the number without notice.

I'm not trying to sell you this stuff - for £1.99 it's hard for me to care! But if you want me to talk you through it; PM me

£1.99 a month is good. I assume I can use one of them convertors which I can use a normal phone with?

I don't really want to start having to use my PC or my router as I am worried about reliability.

[cjd]

Why don't you take an account (free) download the (free) softphone and make a few calls (free). You'll get a (free) 056 number too. All you need is a £5 headset from Asda if you haven't already got one.

Once you find it works ok for you you can buy a cheapo adapter (ATA) from ebay (you also need a router) and plug an ordinary phone into it.

It's really hard to get your head round VoIP but it really does work - I have thousands of businesses relying on it using advanced PBX features etc etc

It's the next step ;-)

[JoyDivision]

Why don't you take an account (free) download the (free) softphone and make a few calls (free). You'll get a (free) 056 number too. All you need is a £5 headset from Asda if you haven't already got one.

Once you find it works ok for you you can buy a cheapo adapter (ATA) from ebay (you also need a router) and plug an ordinary phone into it.

It's really hard to get your head round VoIP but it really does work - I have thousands of businesses relying on it using advanced PBX features etc etc

It's the next step ;-)

I see that you offer 0161 and 0845 numbers for £1.99 a month. I know how VOIP works in terms of TCP/IP and Quality of Service its just there are so many different people offering it.

However out of the different VIOP services I yours seems the most ideal for my needs. I will study it a bit more but it seems perfect for my needs.

[cjd]

:-)