BT customers face second price hike this year

Steve Weller, communications expert at uSwitch.com, comments on BT's price increase effective from 1st October 2009: "BT is planning a second price hike this year after customers have already seen an increase in day time call rates in March. This hike equates to a 34% increase in call charges since January for the 12 million BT customers in the UK. From 1 October calls will be 5.25 pence per minute, adding further pressure on bills. BT has also increased its call set-up fee by 32% this year - this will rise to 9.05p per call from October 2009 - hitting BT customers making non-inclusive calls. The moves come at a time when every penny counts to consumers and from the outside look as though BT is trying to drive customers to sign up to its inclusive plans by putting up prices elsewhere.

"Those customers who are tied into a 12 month contract and who are going to be hit by this move should challenge BT to see if they can get a better deal - failing that they should press to be allowed to break out of their contract to move to a provider offering them better value. At the moment the Post Office is offering a plan that is nearly 17% cheaper than BT for day time calls and 13% cheaper for call set up fees and includes evening and weekend without a 12 month contract. Similarly TalkTalk is offering calls at 4.50p per minute so there is choice out there.

"Today's price increase announcement isn't likely to improve BT's popularity in the eyes of cash strapped consumers."