BT the UK's largest telecoms provider is singing the praises of 'capped calls' and selling call plans on the basis of the savings these deals seem to offer – are these capped deals really that good or is this a financial smoke screen?.
Call rates are unusually tricky to find on websites, BT's own website proved awkward to say the least with over 50 long lists to look through I wouldn't be surprised if many new customers give up the search – or maybe thats the intention? Calling telecoms companies proved a bit more fruitfull athough overwhelming with the variety of products that seemed to offer good rates on one hand and take away with long contract obligations with the other.
Armed with call rates call rates for BT & alternative telecoms prividers, I had to to establish the average call length. Luckily Telecost performed this task in 2002 by looking at call records of 100 companies in different UK locations and mixed industry sectors. In total some 2 million records were analysed. Of course some time has gone by and without a bigger study it is difficult to be certain – so if anything this is a good guide:
Average length of call to mobile (07 numbers) – 110 seconds.
Average length of call to landline (01 numbers) – 112 seconds.
Average length of call to landline (02 numbers) – 121 seconds.
Assuming that an average UK call length is 2 minutes then:
A 2 Minute call through BT Standard Rate to mobile would cost 45p and to landline would cost 15p (inc call setup fee).
A 2 minute call on BT's 'Business Plan' to mobile is 25p(capped) and a 2 minute call to landline is 8p on a 1 year contract.
A 2 Minute call through BT's Oneplan to mobile would cost 20p (capped) and to landline would cost 5p (capped) on a 2 year contract with 2 additional services as a requirement.
A 2 minute call through Westlake to mobile would cost 18p and to landline would cost 2.5p on a one year contract.
A 2 minute mobile call using Midland LCR to mobile is 16p and a 2 minute landline call is 1.8p on a 1 year contract with a minimum call spend requirement.
A 2 minute mobile call using Gradwell VOIP would cost 20p and a 2 minute landline call would be free (on all inclusive tarif) with 3 month contract.
The conclusion therefore is:- if your business makes average length calls then you are probably better off with LCR or VOIP, however if your business calls are long then BT offers good value, however…
To benefit from maximum call savings customers should consider using smart phone systems such as Asterisk which will can be programmed to take the most efficient route. For example: – you can route all national calls through VOIP hence take advantage of free calls and unlimited outbound trunks hence make instant savings on your line rentals, route mobile calls through GSM – hence achieve free calls to staff mobiles & mobile tarifs of 4.5p & use BT Oneplan to route long calls.
Call rates in this report were obtained in Sept 08 – some of the information above may or may not be accurate at the time you read this article hence this information should be treated as a yardstick.
