Popular ISP Be Broadband UK has today officially launched its new range of home phone (BE Landline) packages and bundles to both new and existing customers. In addition the internet provider has also made its 'up to' 44Mbps BE Line Bonding package available to the public.

Prices start from just £9.50 per month for line rental on its own and to keep things simple the BE Landline services will be tied to the length of your broadband contract. In addition, contracts will not be automatically renewed without customer consent.

BASIC Landline - £9.50 per month
* Line rental only with standard phone call charges

EVENING & WEEKEND - £10.50 per month
* Includes free calls to UK landlines from 6pm to 6am during the week and all weekend.

ANYTIME - £13.50 per month
* Includes free calls to UK landlines 24/7.
* Includes free calls to mobiles in the USA and Canada.
* Includes free calls to landlines in 22 countries.

It should be noted that, like most other ISP phone deals, the "free" period only lasts for 60 minutes (1hr) after which you will be charged 4.5p per minute and a 9p connection fee. However this is easily avoided by simply hanging up before the 60 minute mark and re-dialling. New line installations will also cost £85, which is less than BT's £127.99.

The details mean that a customer who bundles the BE Value broadband package (8Mbps downloads, 1.3Mbps uploads, unlimited usage, 12 month contract) with line rental + free evening and weekend calls would pay just £24.29 inc. VAT per month. Not too shabby.

BE has also quietly introduced its new BE LINE BONDING service today, which combines two phone lines carrying its 'up to' 24Mbps ADSL2+ broadband services to deliver an 'up to' 44Mbps download (5Mbps upload) speed.

The bonding package comes with 1 Static IP address, a free bonding router and "unlimited" usage on a 12 month contract, but to get it you'll have to shell out a frightening £65.00 per month (+£85 connection fee)!

BE claims the service will "double your bandwidth", although in reality there is always some performance loss with bonding and people shouldn't forget the added cost of having two phone lines.