Choosing a phone line provider

For most people, cutting costs will be the most important factor in choosing a phone provider. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to see which provider will work out as the cheapest for you, as there are various factors which will contribute toward your final bill, depending on how you use your line. When comparing the prices of different providers, some things you might consider are:

Call packages
When looking at the call costs of different providers you should first think about the kinds of calls you are making. How many calls do you make? Are they local or international? Are they during the day or in weekends/evenings? Many providers will offer a number of packages, each with discounts on different types of calls. Choosing a provider who offers cheap tariffs on the kind of calls you are making can make a huge difference to your bill.

It is important to note that packages that offer cheap calls at a particular time, say, evenings and weekends, will often charge you at very high rates if you call outside these times. Make sure you are aware of the costs of all types of calls in each package so that you don’t get stung.

Line rental
While line rental cost should be factored in to your decision, the difference in price between most providers will only amount to a few pounds per month. Ultimately, if you are making any more than just a few calls per month, the cost of call charges will be a much more significant in determining the outcome of your bill.

International calls
International call rates can be hugely expensive, and depending on where you are calling and how often, could be the deciding factor in choosing your provider. Some providers will offer very low rates to some countries, while charging much more to others. If you are making a lot of calls to a specific location, it is worth finding out how much each supplier will charge to call that country. This information can usually be obtained on the provider’s website.

Broadband
Whether you already have broadband, or are looking to get it, bundling your phone and broadband packages can offer a noticeable saving on both services. Many providers will offer line rental and call packages for just a little more than the cost of broadband alone. For example; XLN’s standard broadband package is £19.99* per month, its line rental £9.99 p/m, and a call package with unlimited local and national calls is £7.99* p/m. Individually these services amount to £37.97*, however XLN’s Total Broadband package will combine all of these services for just £24.95* per month.  When shopping for broadband packages, you may also want to look beyond cost to consider factors such as speed, download limit, and any additional features that come with the service.

*all  prices quoted are correct at time of publication on 30/07/08

Looking beyond price, some other factors to consider are:

Quality of service
After call costs, the quality of service should be the most important factor in choosing a phone line provider. A good way to compare elements of service of various providers is to visit Topcomm, a site which allows you to view suppliers side by side. In addition, you may want to find out the location of the call centre. Many people find they experience a lower quality of service with offshore call centres than those in the UK (call-centres.com, 2006), and so this may have an impact on your decision. If the location of a providers call centre is not given on their website, entering the providers name along with ‘call centre’ into Google will usually give you an answer.

Note – XLN’s customer service centre is located in London.  

Length of Contract
The length of the contract you are signing should be one of the most important things to consider when choosing a provider. A two year contract is fairly standard, but some providers will tie you in to contracts for up to five years. Getting out of these contracts is expensive, especially with suppliers who take you off the BT network, as you will have to pay around £70 to get back on once you have left. The deals that appear to be the best will often involve a long contract, so make sure you understand all the facts

Note – XLN telecom’s phone line contracts are 1 year, with an initial 90-day trial period.

The most important thing is to find a provider who can serve your specific needs. With so many options available, you should be able to make noticeable savings with just a little research. The web is a great resource for comparing tariffs side by side, but don’t be afraid to call providers and see what they can do for you. Making a phone call will also give you a better idea about that provider’s level of customer service. Finally, when signing up with any provider, remember that deals which seem great at face value will often contain a catch in the fine print - so make sure you have all the facts.

XLN will be happy to assist in saving you money on your phone bill, so don’t hesitate to contact us.