"Virgin Media has revealed its new SIM Only offering which gives customers unlimited access to 08 numbers for £18 per month.   The VIP Plus package is a 30 day rolling deal which also includes unlimited texts, data and calls. 0800, 0870, 0845 and 0808 numbers will be included in the customers allowance, and can be called at no extra cost. VIP Plus is available to buy online, in store and over the phone"

- See more at: http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/News/27910/virgin_media_unlimited_08_numbers.aspx#sthash.icYzohnm.dpuf

The cost of maintaining these mobile cell sites that enable mobile calls/data must be cheaper than what it costs to maintain landlines going by the fact you can get this Virgin tariff which includes unlimited calls (including to some 08x), unlimited texts and unlimited data all for £18.

Virgin's next lowest tariff along same lines as above costs £15 and includes the above except for the inclusive 08x calls.

Now compare this to cost of landlines which vary but generally around the £15 and this is before you add inclusive anytime calls, inclusive mobile calls (if applicable) and very limited inclusive texts (if applicable).

I can imagine more and more people now just use mobile instead of a landline especially if money is tight.

Does anyone know roughly how much BT wholesale charge for line rental to other companies like TalkTalk, Sky, etc?

bbb_uk wrote on Feb 9^th, 2014 at 4:05pm:

Does anyone know roughly how much BT wholesale charge for line rental to other companies like TalkTalk, Sky, etc?

I believe it is the Openreach division of BT that offers these services. I expect that the charges will be given on its Product Marking Price List, which has sections for WLR pricing and for LLU pricing.

bbb_uk wrote on Feb 9^th, 2014 at 4:05pm:

The cost of maintaining these mobile cell sites that enable mobile calls/data must be cheaper than what it costs to maintain landlines going by the fact you can get this Virgin tariff which includes unlimited calls (including to some 08x), unlimited texts and unlimited data all for £18. Virgin's next lowest tariff along same lines as above costs £15 and includes the above except for the inclusive 08x calls.

Which means that the inclusion of "unlimited" calls to 0800, 0845, 0870 and 0808 numbers is £3 per month. So "unlimited" calls excluding some 08 numbers, texts and data is £15 per month. This is a SIM only offering.

The equivalent Pay Monthly plan with a handset is £32 per month and this includes the 0800, 0845, 0870 and 0808 numbers, so there would appear not to be the option of taking the service without these 08 numbers.

Dave wrote on Feb 9^th, 2014 at 4:54pm:

I believe it is the Openreach division of BT that offers these services. I expect that the charges will be given on its Product Marking Price List, which has sections for WLR pricing and for LLU pricing.

Thanks Dave.

I worked it out to be around £9.32 inc of VAT pcm for the WLR product.  May not be possible to get the LLU pricing as these companies have to then use their own equipment (or possibly rent from BT) in exchanges but at a guess this must be cheaper than WLR option in the long run.



Dave wrote on Feb 9^th, 2014 at 5:03pm:

Which means that the inclusion of "unlimited" calls to 0800, 0845, 0870 and 0808 numbers is £3 per month. So "unlimited" calls excluding some 08 numbers, texts and data is £15 per month. This is a SIM only offering. The equivalent Pay Monthly plan with a handset is £32 per month and this includes the 0800, 0845, 0870 and 0808 numbers, so there would appear not to be the option of taking the service without these 08 numbers.

Can probably buy a cheap phone (even unlocked) and then buy the unlimited VIP £15 tariff.

This is then considerably cheaper than owning a landline; with the added luxury of being able to take the mobile with you!

I tried to get a discussion going here http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1387213157 on the subject of ditching your landline. ;)

VM are also now offering combined broadband only ,and sim only deals (Unlimited minutes and texts
1GB data ) with a £7.50 a month discount on a 12 month contract.

http://store.virginmedia.com/broadband/bb-sim/index.html

Or if you dont want a contract Top up by  £10 on the Big Talk PAYG Tariff and you get Unlimited UK landline calls & 120 UK mobile minutes plus your £10 credit to use.

http://www.virginmobile.com/vm/genericContent.do?contentId=payasyougo.tariff.howdoi.sm286#Big Talk

Dave wrote on Feb 9^th, 2014 at 5:03pm:

bbb_uk wrote on Feb 9th, 2014 at 4:05pm: The cost of maintaining these mobile cell sites that enable mobile calls/data must be cheaper than what it costs to maintain landlines going by the fact you can get this Virgin tariff which includes unlimited calls (including to some 08x), unlimited texts and unlimited data all for £18. Virgin's next lowest tariff along same lines as above costs £15 and includes the above except for the inclusive 08x calls. Which means that the inclusion of "unlimited" calls to 0800, 0845, 0870 and 0808 numbers is £3 per month. So "unlimited" calls excluding some 08 numbers, texts and data is £15 per month. This is a SIM only offering. The equivalent Pay Monthly plan with a handset is £32 per month and this includes the 0800, 0845, 0870 and 0808 numbers, so there would appear not to be the option of taking the service without these 08 numbers.

Thats misleading you can in fact get mobiles for less then £32 a month on the VIP tariff,and you can choose from a choice of tariffs.

Eg: http://store.virginmedia.com/virgin-media-mobile/pay-monthly-phones/motorola-moto-g/motorola-moto-g-tariffs.html?filters=1

bigjohn wrote on Feb 9^th, 2014 at 9:02pm:

Dave wrote on Feb 9th, 2014 at 5:03pm: bbb_uk wrote on Feb 9th, 2014 at 4:05pm: The cost of maintaining these mobile cell sites that enable mobile calls/data must be cheaper than what it costs to maintain landlines going by the fact you can get this Virgin tariff which includes unlimited calls (including to some 08x), unlimited texts and unlimited data all for £18. Virgin's next lowest tariff along same lines as above costs £15 and includes the above except for the inclusive 08x calls. Which means that the inclusion of "unlimited" calls to 0800, 0845, 0870 and 0808 numbers is £3 per month. So "unlimited" calls excluding some 08 numbers, texts and data is £15 per month. This is a SIM only offering. The equivalent Pay Monthly plan with a handset is £32 per month and this includes the 0800, 0845, 0870 and 0808 numbers, so there would appear not to be the option of taking the service without these 08 numbers. Thats misleading you can in fact get mobiles for less then £32 a month on the VIP tariff,and you can choose from a choice of tariffs. Eg: http://store.virginmedia.com/virgin-media-mobile/pay-monthly-phones/motorola-moto-g/motorola-moto-g-tariffs.html?filters=1

This model is £27 for Virgin Media fixed line customers and £37 for non-customers. The above figure, which should say "from £32" is for non-customers. The price for fixed line customers is from £22.