Calling a mobile phone from a landline is significantly more expensive than calling other landline numbers.
BT currently quote rates of between 10.66p per minute and 22.2p per minute for calling mobile phones.
This is in addition to their call set up fee which is currently 8p per call (and due to rise soon).
Therefore a 1 x minute call to a mobile phone would cost at least 18.66p.
There are discount packages available from BT and other providers, but as a general rule it is difficult to get mobile calling costs much below 10p per minute.
I am often asked to review a customer’s phone bill to see if they can get a better deal elsewhere.
My experience is that it is necessary to look beyond the headline call rates and discount schemes because of hidden charges like call set up fees and minimum call charges.
My preferred provider keeps things simple by having a low basic call rate and doesn’t have discount schemes or call set up fees.
They currently charge 1p per minute for local and national calls with a minimum call charge of 1p.
Their charges for mobile calls are 9p per minute with a minimum call charge of 3p.