I have been assisting our local voluntary group in regard to billing and sorting out the most cost effective way to save money.

The Virgin account was way out of date and I updated both the broadband package and the business phone package. I was amazed when they notified me that                        01/02/03/0870 and 0845 were all included in the unlimited call package. The bill has been reduced and the service provides a much better service.

How can they provide unlimited calls to 0845 numbers I wouldn't have thought it was cost effective.

BT do the same

BT Business (24 Month Contract) Inclusive Calls Bundle

You get unlimited calls to:
•UK landlines - 01, 02, 03, 0845 & 0870 numbers
•UK mobiles
•Major international destinations

Cost  £22.50  per month ( fair usage policy applies).

It is fair to assume that "the bigger and wider the bundle - the higher the price".

Packages that offered a limited volume of calls or covered fewer destinations would be expected to be cheaper. The standard offerings would be selected to best fit with customer requirements at a marketable price.


The situation with 0845 calls between VM and BT is different. Current regulations on BT prevent it from taking any margin on 0845 calls - this does not apply to VM (or any other provider that includes 0845 calls in packages). Because the associated revenue loss is less for BT, it finds it easier to include 0845 calls in packages than others.

Ofcom proposes to remove this restriction on BT. It will be interesting to see what difference this makes.


From the customer's perspective, every subscriber to a package that includes 0845 calls is effectively paying towards the subsidy that is provided to users of 0845 numbers - whether or not they call them.

I support the view that where someone wishes to impose a service charge on those who call them, it is only those callers who should pay it.