British Gas unveils free phone calls service

British Gas is launching a free evening and weekend phone calls package, as it steps up efforts to promote its bundled utility and telecoms services. The move comes just weeks after the gas and electricity giant announced that it has lost 1.1 million customers on the back of recent price rises.

The promotion, called British Gas Talk, launches this month and is open to British Gas electricity customers who have a home phone contract with the company’s telecoms arm OneTel. A spokeswoman says that bundling services like energy and telecoms together makes sense and enables the company to offer customers better deals. Customers will be given access to the free calls package at weekends and evenings, and the company is guaranteeing that the plan will save customers money against BT, by offering a year’s free calls if it doesn’t. The new call plan will be offered to customers at no extra cost and without a monthly charge.

Television ads featuring Brenda Blethyn promoting the offer will break on March 14.

British Gas managing director Mark Clare says: “Our package of phone and energy simply cannot be beaten by BT. This gas, electricity and telecoms bundle is ideal for customers who want to reduce household outgoings.”

British Gas has 17.7 million gas and electricity consumers.