URGENT Orange Ending Free 0800 calls

redux

DonnyDave wrote:

The only conclusion that I can come to is that you have taken the fact that mobile networks charge for freephone numbers as an indication that they don't get paid.

No.

The freephone number provider charges their customer (in this case 1899) per minute charges for the call. Maybe the same or another supplier routes the call. 1899 charges their customer accordingly; this is why their call charges are different via 1899 and 08081... numbers.

The difference between these figures is a mixture of profit and what might be paid to Orange, so we can safely assume that Orange were paid very little or nothing.

We might also assume that several other calling cards did not pay, as Orange had announcements that this was a calling card number and would be charged.

As I said earlier, in other countries some calling cards pay and pass the charges back to their customer, others don't and are barred. In USA, the FCC mandates calling card providers to compensate callbox providers - see this in the terms and conditions of any US calling card - why did they need to do this if there was not a problem beforehand?

OK, Ofcom haven't done this and have kept their hands off, but if they had intervened, they might not have come to the result you expect. Maybe it's an oligarchy as you say, but nobody is obliged to provide calls at below cost.

However, Orange could have put them in included minutes, even if they cost them more to connect as per your suggestion.

redux

pault123 wrote:

Orange told me the freephone bundle would remain that way until I upgraded my phone, as its due next month i've called them today and been told the freephone bundle is being taken off as soon as i recieve my upgrade.

So they want me to hold onto my old knackered phone and never upgrade again if I want to retain the freephone bundle.

Any suggestions?

That's the bind that someone predicted, as any change is a new contract. You'll probably have to do some working out what the value of the freephone calls is to you. If it's only a few, then use another method to get the freephone calls out of the inclusive minutes. If it's a lot, you might have to buy a new phone later and separately.

steve199_259_319

pault123 wrote:

Orange told me the freephone bundle would remain that way until I upgraded my phone, as its due next month i've called them today and been told the freephone bundle is being taken off as soon as i recieve my upgrade.

So they want me to hold onto my old knackered phone and never upgrade again if I want to retain the freephone bundle.

Any suggestions?

Paul,

The bundle will only remain on your account for 12 months (Ref: The Orange Executive Office), so if you really do need the free 0800 calls, I suggest you wait until the year is up, then upgrade.

Regards,


Steve.

pault123

You don't think there is any way of "i want my pac code then" blag to get it extended?

steve199_259_319

pault123 wrote:

You don't think there is any way of "i want my pac code then" blag to get it extended?

You can try, but they were insistent that 12 months was the maximum anyone would have the package.

Regards,


Steve.

MaggieMoon_3

Hi there - oh dear - on reading these posts I think they have answered a question I have jus posed - ie that I was given this free bundle nearly a year ago - and was told it was only for a year ... and I wondered how I was going to get it extended - but clearly I am not. Orange obviously do not respond now to people saying'I only joined because of this ....' and 'I am going to leave and go else where' is that correct? So even if I dont upgrade my phone .... they wont give it tome again? has anyone actually had it renewed? I have been grateful for this one year - but more would be good. I really will have to review my plan if I dont get it again. Many thanks.

arumiat

Hi can anyone tell me I need to call an 0808 number to get a BT line reconnected, - I have 800 cross network minutes with 02 mobile network would this call be free? If not whats the best alternative?

Thanks in advance

redux

it won't be free, and as from a couple of days ago O2 will charge 20 pence a minute

use this (London) callthrough number; when it answers enter your destination, without pressing the green send key afterwards

0200 222 0700