I learned something today by talking to a guy watching the swans on the canal (as you do). He turned out to be a Linux & Python evangelist. But he reckoned the BT change over to digital is accompanied with the facility to be able to subtend extra numbers at the end of the dial sequence. Because at present the dial tone is heard immediately the sequence of numbers finds a phone. This has the advantage of being able to direct the equipment at the receiving end to an extension (eg) or sophisticated answer machines that we have had for year that need a code known only to friends to respond. etc etc

I am sure my contention about local calls is unaltered.

But it has to be said, the experience with BT (even their finance dept) is a philosophy of doing just enough and stop. BT sport website often shows a programme of interest and when you watch it can be a totally unrelated sport, no announcement of substitution. And certainly no website correction, for something that live presenters had to be ready for hours before. Mickey Mouse comes to mind, and this isn't a free show. It is a paid for product. In my sport of interest BT has the UK monopoly.