BT Retail is to increase the minimum cost of all calls from 1 April, according to information seen by El Reg.

The minimum call charge on all consumer phone and VoIP calls is increasing from 5p to 5.5p (inc VAT) to bring prices in line with the current evening and weekend tariff of 5.5p for calls lasting up to one hour.

Business punters can also expect to see the cost of connecting a call rise from 4.2p to 5p (ex VAT).

BT is also planning to tinker with international call rates, which comes into force from 1 April.

Asked to comment on the implications of the price rise, a spokesman for the telco told us: "We are reviewing the price of minimum calls and we will make an announcement in due course."

In January, BT increased the cost of renting a phone line by 50p from £10.50 to £11 a month. ®