SilentCallsVictim wrote on Jan 5
th, 2011 at 3:59pm:
Trenod wrote on Jan 5
th, 2011 at 1:57am:
Again, BT puts the heaviest increase on daytime landline-to-landline call charges ...
The BT Light User Scheme has been replaced by the BT Basic tariff. This remains, as was the Light User Scheme, a "social tariff" designed for those who need connection to the telephone network but cannot afford to make full use of it. With the way that mobile telephony has developed the PAYG mobile has taken on something of this role, however this is threatened by the current process of reducing the termination fees paid on calling to mobiles.
No dear. This is the excuse that BT made when it ended the Light User Scheme, but disgruntled users pointed out the inaccuracy of this statement at the time.
If you want proof, I have next to me a copy of the BT Phone Book from November 1996 (the only old one I have - no idea how I ended up keeping it, but of course it's now a rather interesting period piece so I probably won't get rid of it!). The Book describes the Light User Scheme thus:
"Offers a sliding scale rebate to those residential customers who use their phone very little to make calls, but need it to stay in touch."
Elsewhere in the Book, under "BT's Consumer Code of Practice":
"Residential customers with one line may be eligible for our Light User Scheme, which offers a rebate to customers whose calls cost less than £10.80 per quarter (excluding VAT). The amount of any rebate received will be shown on your bill. For more information, or to apply for this scheme, please ring 150."
Nothing there about 'social responsibility' or helping the underprivileged poor, and no proof of poverty required. BT's Light User Scheme was exactly that: a discount for people who made few outgoing calls - *not* a "social tariff". Those who made *no* calls at all, and simply needed a line for incoming calls, received no benefit from it - i.e. no discount on their line rental (unlike with BT Basic, which works in a completely different way).