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BT to cut landline costs for up to one million people | BT to cut landline costs for up to one million people |
(35 minutes later) | |
BT will slash costs for up to one million of its landline-only customers after a review by regulator Ofcom. | BT will slash costs for up to one million of its landline-only customers after a review by regulator Ofcom. |
From April 2018, the telecoms company will reduce the price of its monthly line rental by £7, a 37% decrease from the current cost of £18.99. | From April 2018, the telecoms company will reduce the price of its monthly line rental by £7, a 37% decrease from the current cost of £18.99. |
The reduction will save households £84 a year and customers will be protected from price increases with rental costs capped at the rate of inflation. | The reduction will save households £84 a year and customers will be protected from price increases with rental costs capped at the rate of inflation. |
Ofcom expects other providers to follow suit. | Ofcom expects other providers to follow suit. |
Nearly two-thirds of BT customers with only a landline are over 65, and more than three-quarters have never switched provider, the regulator said. | Nearly two-thirds of BT customers with only a landline are over 65, and more than three-quarters have never switched provider, the regulator said. |
Ofcom said they had been getting poor value for money in recent years, compared to those who buy bundles of landline, broadband and/or pay-TV services. | Ofcom said they had been getting poor value for money in recent years, compared to those who buy bundles of landline, broadband and/or pay-TV services. |
"For many people, their landline is their lifeline," said Jonathan Oxley, Ofcom's Competition Group Director. | |
"But households who only have a landline - and no broadband - have seen their phone bills soar. Many are elderly, and have been with BT for decades. We've been clear that they must get a better deal." | |
The regulator also said it wanted to help those who buy a phone service from one provider and broadband from another. | The regulator also said it wanted to help those who buy a phone service from one provider and broadband from another. |
BT said it welcomed "a balanced voluntary agreement with Ofcom" and that it had "listened to the concerns of our line-only customers". | |
Are you a BT landline-only customer? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you a BT landline-only customer? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |