FLEETS are to save millions of pounds as the cost of calls to mobile phones are slashed by an average of 25% when made from BT lines. The changes, which are expected to come into effect from spring, are estimated to save phone users £1 billion over the next year, hitting BT profits by about £100 million.

But despite the impact on the telecommunications company, it has welcomed the findings of an enquiry into prices of calls to mobile phones by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. About 70% of all calls to mobile phones are from BT lines, and these calls average 25 pence per minute from a BT line to mobile phone customers of Cellnet and Vodafone. This tariff will fall to under 19p per minute. As a result of the enquiry the practice of charging for unanswered calls on Vodafone and Cellnet's networks is also expected to stop.