BT is capping the cost of phone calls for businesses as part of a move to overhaul call tariffs.

Out goes per-minute billing and distinctions between peak and off-peak calls. Instead, fixed-line calls (nope, it don't apply to calls made to mobile phones) made by business punters in the UK will cost no more than 10p a throw.

The key restriction is that the call must not last more than an hour - otherwise other charges apply.

Still, since only around three per cent of business calls last more than an hour BT reckons this will be a hit with business.

Oh, and the other restriction is that businesses must spend at least £500 a year on their phone bill to qualify for the package.

BT Business Plan - as it's called - is the first in a series of changes BT plans to introduce to its business services. As well as closer customer contact, BT is also looking reward customers for their loyalty to the BT brand. ®