In the past, if you wanted to take your landline on holiday you'd need to unplug it from the wall and find space in your suitcase. But now with BT SmartTalk there's an app for that, letting you make calls at your landline rate from your mobile when you're out and about, or even out of the country.
SmartTalk is a VoIP app for your iPhone or Android blower that lets you talk on your mobile, but charges you at landline rates. That includes your free evening and weekend calls, if you have them as part of your landline package.
Landline rates apply when you're on holiday, so no hideously expensive international call rates hitting your bill when you get home.
And you can add up to five mobile phones to your account, so the whole family can take advantage of the rates, including when someone is on the landline.
Another advantage is that you can use the app to call 0800 freephone numbers, as well as 0845 and 0870 numbers, instead of being charged loads because you're on your mobile.
Whether SmartTalk is worth it depends on which BT package you choose, and whether those landline rates are better than the mobile network tariffs on offer. You could also choose rival VoIP apps like Skype or Viber.
The app works on Wi-Fi and 3G, although you need a data plan for your phone to make calls over 3G. If you're a BT Broadband customer and you're in a BT Wi-Fi hotspot, you get free Wi-Fi access too.
Would this persuade you to switch to BT? What are your tips for saving money on your mobile? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 7
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anonymous 14 January, 2013 17:55
Good app just couldnt believe it was free!! So unlike bt..much much better than their crap app bt wifi!!! A good long overdue app..9/10 to bt
anonymous 15 January, 2013 13:54
the article, and BT, most conveniently leave out the bit about their quite ridiculous minimum call 13.87p set-up fee on ''all charged calls'' & also that calls to 070 suffer a set-up charge of 51p. This is nuts and a rip-off!
anonymous 21 January, 2013 21:43
Re the last comment....if you pay just £5.50 a month, then all your calls will be free, no setup charges
anonymous 18 February, 2013 22:23
£5.20 a month to be precise not £5.50 and you are correct there would be no call set up fee as the call is included in the calling plan. So anonymous you should really get your facts correct before commenting as you just end up looking like a fool!
anonymous 21 February, 2013 11:48
Great concept but still stuck with BT's tariffs. Try www.friendly.co.uk for same service however with really cheap tariffs. Please use Agent Code BOSS to subscribe
anonymous 15 March, 2013 22:10
I have BT's anytime call package, which costs a fiver or so a month but these costs are easily blown away with this app. I've already saved a small fortune on roaming charges.
I just cant believe BT have not plastered this all over the media as it's going to be a real money saver for people on holiday this summer.
Unlike the usual suspects there are no other charges or sign up fees etc etc
W
anonymous 22 April, 2013 19:25
Any body tried it with a Blackberry?