IT seems everyone is infuriated by telephone line rental, but now I can tell you about ways to cut the cost of the line rental and calls.

Why has it taken so long? Providers have been competing on line rental deals for years, but there has been a concern that they will block the use of override providers (specialist companies which you dial on to get your call costs slashed). BT is prevented from blocking access to override numbers, because of its dominant position, but the restriction doesn’t apply to other line rental providers. Now the two cheapest line rental providers have guaranteed not to block access, so you can get the best of both worlds.

Are you on a BT line? Unless you’re with a cable provider (see below), chances are it’s BT providing your line. As long as you’ve got that, you should be able to access these deals. If you’re looking for broadband too, visit moneysavingexpert.com/broadband.

• If you’re with BT for line rental and calls, and can’t be bothered to switch, sign up for a year’s contract and you’ll get ‘free’ evening calls. This costs £11.25 a month if you pay by direct debit and ask for paperless billing.

• Primus Home saver is £9.50/month if you sign up via the comparison site Consumer Choices. It includes free evening and weekend calls to landlines (first 90 minutes) and it’s guaranteed to allow override calls.

• The Post Office’s basic Home Phone package is £11.75/month. This includes the first 60 minutes of evening and weekend calls to landlines. At weekends, there are free calls to mobiles and 40 international destinations. Override providers are allowed.

Now cut the cost further To halve landline call costs, set up an account with an override company such as 18185.co.uk. Then simply dial the access code before the number you’re calling. It charges 5p per call to daytime landlines, no matter how long you speak (BT is 4.5p per minute) and 6p/minute to mobiles weekdays. Visit moneysavingexpert.com/callchecker

Tips for cable users Haggle with your cable provider. More info at moneysavingexpert.com/homephones