03/03/2017.

BT’s landline-only customers will have a reduction in line rental of at least 26%, under Ofcom proposals that would effectively reduce the cost of their line rental to 2009 levels in real terms.

Customers currently paying £18.99 per month to rent a landline from BT would pay no more than £13.99 under proposals set out in ‘Review of the market for standalone landline telephone services’ (any responses to this consultation to be sent to Ofcom by 9 May). Ofcom estimates they would save 2m people at least £5 per month.

The proposals were developed after research revealed customers renting landline-only from BT are often elderly or vulnerable people, who have remained with the same supplier for decades.

Offers for them have become increasingly limited and line rentals have increased substantially, while customers for landlines bundled with broadband and TV services have benefited from a competitive market.

Ofcom also intends requiring BT to trial different approaches for communicating with its landline-only customers, in order help them better understand how other BT packages – or even other providers – might offer better value for money.