18 January 2007
Home phone bills could become a thing of the past if BT gets its way, as this week sees it trying to convince internet-using customers to embrace paperless billing.
In a move that has been criticised by some analysts of simply jumping on the green bandwagon, BT confirmed to consumer watchdog Which? that it instructed its 600,000 internet customers that they were required to 'opt in' if they wanted to continue to receive a paper bill.
A BT spokesman told Which? that the move was designed to help the company become carbon-neutral and that as well as helping consumers to make an environmentally friendly decision, BT would give a 25 pence discount on monthly line rental for its customers who agree to the changes.
He also confirmed that the move would not be forced upon customers who did not use the internet regularly.
"It is targeted at people who use the internet regularly, people we know like getting things online. It's a question of working with people who are happy to work online. These are the most internet friendly and e-literate customers," he said.
BT was one of the first telecommunications companies to offer paper-free billing, beginning its practice over a year ago, but the size of the response from the customers is estimated to be so large that it would be impossible to predict how many have agreed to it so far.
The spokesman said that BT remains "hopeful" customers will help them go green, adding: "We are very keen on our green credentials. We know there is plenty more to do."
Are you on the best talk plan for the way you use your home phone? Make a comparison with other suppliers and plans on uSwitch.com and if you could get a better deal, switch your home phone online today. It's free!
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
Content for the uSwitch.com market news service is provided by a third party, Adfero Ltd. Whilst uSwitch.com makes reasonable efforts to check the reliability of this content, uSwitch.com does not guarantee the accuracy thereof or endorse the views or opinions given by Adfero Ltd, unless expressly stated otherwise.