Anger as BT 'cuts off lifeline to the elderly' after it quietly shut down its ... trends now
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Telecoms giant BT has been accused of ‘cutting off a lifeline’ to the elderly after it quietly shut down its free online directory weeks after axing its free phone book.
Bosses ditched the physical catalogue at the start of this month (1/4) after 144 years, leaving the website as the only place to get numbers without paying.
But now the Mail on Sunday has learnt that the internet service is set to close on Tuesday (30/4).
It means customers seeking numbers will be forced to dial 118 500, which costs £1.55 per minute on top of a 77p call charge.
Requesting a printed phonebook now costs around £13 - and BT warned it will significantly increase the price next year despite printing it for just 50p a copy.
The Mail on Sunday has learnt that the internet service is set to close on Tuesday. Pictured: BT's website homepage
Bosses ditched the physical catalogue at the start of this month (1/4) after 144 years, leaving the website as the only place to get numbers without paying
It means customers seeking numbers will be forced to dial 118 500, which costs £1.55 per minute on top of a 77p call charge. Pictured: File image
Consumer expert Sarah Coles of analysts Hargreaves Lansdown said: ‘BT could be cutting off a lifeline here. People need to fully understand that calling the 118 number is so expensive.
‘The risk is that older people are stuck at home and not knowing the number they want to call, nor how to find that number anymore.’
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, added: ‘Most older people who we’ve asked say the phone book should be available for free. It’s a very useful resource.’
