On 1/10/2012 9:32 AM, Mark BR wrote:
> Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>
> Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>
> I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save the
> ?1.50 charge for not using my line.
>
I'll be following this thread (currently, I ask a cousin to stop in and
make a couple of calls when I'm away).
On Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:32:15 +0700, "Mark BR" <briley@x-privat.it>
wrote:
>Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>
>Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>
>I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save the
>?1.50 charge for not using my line.
Auto-dialler on the alarm and don't cancel the milk.
"S Viemeister" <firstname@lastname.oc.ku> wrote in message
news:9n335aFuejU1@mid.individual.net...
> On 1/10/2012 9:32 AM, Mark BR wrote:
>> Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>>
>> Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>>
>> I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save
>> the
>> ?1.50 charge for not using my line.
>>
> I'll be following this thread (currently, I ask a cousin to stop in and
> make a couple of calls when I'm away).
Sounds like it is not possible, but don't forget to stop BT privacy or CLI
as that also costs £1.50 if no calls are made. It is just worth my paying
£1.50 for 5 months to get the advanced rental payment savings.
In article <jehidj$bdf$1@news.datemas.de>, Mark BR <briley@x-privat.it> wrote:
>Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>
>Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>
>I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save the
>?1.50 charge for not using my line.
Yes, it's possible using VoIP. Going to cost you about 50 quid in hardware
assuming you already have a broadband connection - plus your time and
a soft-phone application of some sorts on your laptop/pc while abroad
(and access to Internet there too)
A bit more kit (& of-course time to set it up) and you could run a PC
24/7 running Linux & Asterisk and make it auto-dial a number every couple
of days.
On 2012-01-11, Gordon Henderson <gordon+usenet@drogon.net> wrote:
> In article <jehidj$bdf$1@news.datemas.de>, Mark BR <briley@x-privat.it> wrote:
>>Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>>
>>Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>>
>>I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save the
>>?1.50 charge for not using my line.
>
> Yes, it's possible using VoIP. Going to cost you about 50 quid in hardware
> assuming you already have a broadband connection - plus your time and
> a soft-phone application of some sorts on your laptop/pc while abroad
> (and access to Internet there too)
>
> A bit more kit (& of-course time to set it up) and you could run a PC
> 24/7 running Linux & Asterisk and make it auto-dial a number every couple
Doesn't even need to be Asterisk, just a bog-standard box running Linux
with a supported POTS modem, and use wvdial or a handrolled dial script to
connect to an 0845 ISP, then disconnect again. Run it once per week.
(It doesn't even need to successfully establish PPP, the other end just
needs to answer. Even better would be a non-modem line that the modem can't
figure out and auto-disconnects. Not many of them on a geographic number.
I have an 0870 that plays bad music which you'd be welcome to use but the
rest of the newsgroup would jump on me for spamming if I posted it.)
"Soruk" <soruk@bitbucket.eridani.co.uk> wrote in message
news:lft0u8-4u2.ln1@Kozue.int.eridani.co.uk...
> On 2012-01-11, Gordon Henderson <gordon+usenet@drogon.net> wrote:
>> In article <jehidj$bdf$1@news.datemas.de>, Mark BR <briley@x-privat.it>
>> wrote:
>>>Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>>>
>>>Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>>>
>>>I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save
>>>the
>>>?1.50 charge for not using my line.
>>
>> Yes, it's possible using VoIP. Going to cost you about 50 quid in
>> hardware
>> assuming you already have a broadband connection - plus your time and
>> a soft-phone application of some sorts on your laptop/pc while abroad
>> (and access to Internet there too)
>>
>> A bit more kit (& of-course time to set it up) and you could run a PC
>> 24/7 running Linux & Asterisk and make it auto-dial a number every couple
>
> Doesn't even need to be Asterisk, just a bog-standard box running Linux
> with a supported POTS modem, and use wvdial or a handrolled dial script to
> connect to an 0845 ISP, then disconnect again. Run it once per week.
>
There is a thought. Leave the computer on and set to send 2 faxes (or calls)
via the modem each month.
Now, would the electricity for the computer cost more than £1.50 a month -
probably not it using the wake up alarm facility of the BIOS so it only
comes on once a day ................
Soruk <soruk@bitbucket.eridani.co.uk> wrote:
> (It doesn't even need to successfully establish PPP, the other end just
> needs to answer. Even better would be a non-modem line that the modem can't
> figure out and auto-disconnects. Not many of them on a geographic number.
Simply phoning at 1am a 'sorry, we're closed' business line that doesn't
take messages would probably do the trick... or a bank's automated service,
or whatever. Presumably these calls need to be chargeable, so if it's a geo
number you'd need to call outside your inclusive period.
Whichever way you do it, you're going to be hit with the 'call setup fee'
(13p ish) for each call.
> I have an 0870 that plays bad music which you'd be welcome to use but the
> rest of the newsgroup would jump on me for spamming if I posted it.)
Ivor's speaking clock is 020 7043 1320 and would also do the trick...
On Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:53:30 +0000, Theo Markettos wrote:
> Soruk <soruk@bitbucket.eridani.co.uk> wrote:
>> (It doesn't even need to successfully establish PPP, the other end just
>> needs to answer. Even better would be a non-modem line that the modem
>> can't figure out and auto-disconnects. Not many of them on a geographic
>> number.
>
> Simply phoning at 1am a 'sorry, we're closed' business line that doesn't
> take messages would probably do the trick... or a bank's automated
> service, or whatever. Presumably these calls need to be chargeable, so
> if it's a geo number you'd need to call outside your inclusive period.
I just call one of my VoIP lines!
> Whichever way you do it, you're going to be hit with the 'call setup
> fee' (13p ish) for each call.
Not really. Phone at the weekend; pretty well all residential plans will
give you a free call, but it still counts against the calls total.
On Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:32:15 +0700, Mark BR wrote:
> Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>
> Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>
> I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save
> the ?1.50 charge for not using my line.
Can you explain thsi £1.50 charge? Are you referring to the charge fro BT
Privacy if you don't make any calls? I don't know of any other charge.
If it's just BT Privacy, two calls per month are all you need. Make them
at weekends and they'll be free (part of the inclusive calls).
> Simply phoning at 1am a 'sorry, we're closed' business line that doesn't
> take messages would probably do the trick...
>
>> I have an 0870 that plays bad music which you'd be welcome to use
>
> Ivor's speaking clock is 020 7043 1320 and would also do the trick...
Or the '03' version of fault reporting 152, which is 0330 1234 151
On 12 Jan 2012 18:07:25 GMT, Bob Eager <news0001@eager.cx> wrote:
>On Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:32:15 +0700, Mark BR wrote:
>
>> Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>>
>> Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>>
>> I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save
>> the ?1.50 charge for not using my line.
>
>Can you explain thsi £1.50 charge? Are you referring to the charge fro BT
>Privacy if you don't make any calls? I don't know of any other charge.
>
>If it's just BT Privacy, two calls per month are all you need. Make them
>at weekends and they'll be free (part of the inclusive calls).
All this analysis, planning and effort just to save £1.50 a month? You
have to wonder if it's really worth it. I think I'd just forget about
it and do something more productive with my time to make up for the
lost £1.50.
On Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:07:09 +0000, Chris Blunt wrote:
> On 12 Jan 2012 18:07:25 GMT, Bob Eager <news0001@eager.cx> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:32:15 +0700, Mark BR wrote:
>>
>>> Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>>>
>>> Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>>>
>>> I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save
>>> the ?1.50 charge for not using my line.
>>
>>Can you explain thsi £1.50 charge? Are you referring to the charge fro
>>BT Privacy if you don't make any calls? I don't know of any other
>>charge.
>>
>>If it's just BT Privacy, two calls per month are all you need. Make them
>>at weekends and they'll be free (part of the inclusive calls).
>
> All this analysis, planning and effort just to save £1.50 a month? You
> have to wonder if it's really worth it. I think I'd just forget about it
> and do something more productive with my time to make up for the lost
> £1.50.
It's not the money; it's the thought of giving it to BT.
In any case, this took me ten minutes to set up once, and it's 'fit and
forget'. That's a payment rate £9 an hour for the first quarter, and
£36.00 an hour over the first year alone.
"Bob Eager" <news0001@eager.cx> wrote in message
news:9n9b3uFadsU2@mid.individual.net...
> On Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:07:09 +0000, Chris Blunt wrote:
>
>> On 12 Jan 2012 18:07:25 GMT, Bob Eager <news0001@eager.cx> wrote:
>>
>>>On Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:32:15 +0700, Mark BR wrote:
>>>
>>>> Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>> All this analysis, planning and effort just to save £1.50 a month? You
>> have to wonder if it's really worth it. I think I'd just forget about it
>> and do something more productive with my time to make up for the lost
>> £1.50.
>
> It's not the money; it's the thought of giving it to BT.
>
> In any case, this took me ten minutes to set up once, and it's 'fit and
> forget'. That's a payment rate £9 an hour for the first quarter, and
> £36.00 an hour over the first year alone.
>
>
and the cost of having the computer on 24/7 is?
On Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:28:55 +0000, R. Mark Clayton wrote:
> "Bob Eager" <news0001@eager.cx> wrote in message
> news:9n9b3uFadsU2@mid.individual.net...
>> On Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:07:09 +0000, Chris Blunt wrote:
>>
>>> On 12 Jan 2012 18:07:25 GMT, Bob Eager <news0001@eager.cx> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:32:15 +0700, Mark BR wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>>> All this analysis, planning and effort just to save £1.50 a month? You
>>> have to wonder if it's really worth it. I think I'd just forget about
>>> it and do something more productive with my time to make up for the
>>> lost £1.50.
>>
>> It's not the money; it's the thought of giving it to BT.
>>
>> In any case, this took me ten minutes to set up once, and it's 'fit and
>> forget'. That's a payment rate £9 an hour for the first quarter, and
>> £36.00 an hour over the first year alone.
>>
>>
> and the cost of having the computer on 24/7 is?
It's the Asterisk box and is on anyway. Costs about £30 p.a. which is
easily saved with cheap/free calls.
Bob Eager <news0001@eager.cx> wrote:
> Not really. Phone at the weekend; pretty well all residential plans will
> give you a free call, but it still counts against the calls total.
On 1/13/2012 9:56 AM, Chris Davies wrote:
> Bob Eager<news0001@eager.cx> wrote:
>> Not really. Phone at the weekend; pretty well all residential plans will
>> give you a free call, but it still counts against the calls total.
>
> Really?
>
Yes.
> Bob Eager<news0001@eager.cx> wrote:
>
>> Phone at the weekend; pretty well all residential plans will
>> give you a free call, but it still counts against the calls total.
>
> Really?
Yes, it only needs to be chargeable, not necessarily charged, from the
legal bit at the bottom of
"Customers who are billed every three months must make at least six
chargeable or inclusive calls within those three months, otherwise BT
reserves the right to charge £8.10 a quarter. Customers who are billed
monthly must make at least 2 chargeable or inclusive calls a month
otherwise BT reserves the right to charge £2.70 a month. Free calls (for
example to 0800 numbers, calls to the emergency services etc) do not
count towards the minimum call commitment."
"Bob Eager" <news0001@eager.cx> wrote in message
news:9n8lqtFe8vU2@mid.individual.net...
> On Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:32:15 +0700, Mark BR wrote:
>
>> Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>>
>> Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>>
>> I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save
>> the ?1.50 charge for not using my line.
>
> Can you explain thsi ?1.50 charge? Are you referring to the charge fro BT
> Privacy if you don't make any calls? I don't know of any other charge.
>
> If it's just BT Privacy, two calls per month are all you need. Make them
> at weekends and they'll be free (part of the inclusive calls).
>
Both that charge of ?1.50 for BT privacy and the ?1.50 if you pay line
rental by 'line rental saver' - ie 12 months in advance for ?120 a year.
So being able to make the two calls saves ?36 a year.
Don't always mind paying for something I use but I do object to having to
pay because I do not use something - especially when the something is free
for me and, presumably, can actually cost BT for me to use.
(PS I'm not in the UK so can not make the free calls)
On Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:59:59 +0700, Mark BR wrote:
> "Bob Eager" <news0001@eager.cx> wrote in message
> news:9n8lqtFe8vU2@mid.individual.net...
>> On Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:32:15 +0700, Mark BR wrote:
>>
>>> Reading about smartphone rang a slight bell.
>>>
>>> Is it possible to make a call billed to my BT landline using VoIP?
>>>
>>> I'm outside the UK and want to make 2 calls a month on my line to save
>>> the ?1.50 charge for not using my line.
>>
>> Can you explain thsi ?1.50 charge? Are you referring to the charge fro
>> BT Privacy if you don't make any calls? I don't know of any other
>> charge.
>>
>> If it's just BT Privacy, two calls per month are all you need. Make
>> them at weekends and they'll be free (part of the inclusive calls).
>>
>>
> Both that charge of ?1.50 for BT privacy and the ?1.50 if you pay line
> rental by 'line rental saver' - ie 12 months in advance for ?120 a year.
>
> So being able to make the two calls saves ?36 a year.
>
> Don't always mind paying for something I use but I do object to having
> to pay because I do not use something - especially when the something is
> free for me and, presumably, can actually cost BT for me to use.
>
> (PS I'm not in the UK so can not make the free calls)
OK...then whether you get a friend to make them, or do something
sneakier, make sure you make them at times when they are inclusive!
BT calls from outside the UK 
Linear Mode
