Can you use 18185 and 1280 on Sky Talk (calls only version)?

bungle82

Hello

If I were to move my calls to Sky, but keep the line rental with BT, would I still be able to use the 18185 and 1280 prefixes?

I know some restrictions have recently been applied to Sky Talk customers, but I'm not clear about whether that's all Sky Talk customers, or just the ones who have moved their line rental to Sky.

Thank you

Heinz

Actually, it's the opposite, 'restrictions', as you put it, have recently been applied to Sky Talk customers who have left their line rental with BT (i.e. merely use Sky Talk as a CPS calls provider).

Sky (amongst others) has changed from supplying calls via CPS (Carrier PreSelect) to doing so via WCLI (Wholesale Call Line Independent). That means that use of the 1280 prefix no longer sends calls via the subscriber's line provider's network and has resulted in a number of people receiving bills from BT for Caller Display and/or basic 1571 - because they had not made the necessary number of 'qualifying calls' to get those without charge.

billsavings

You want be able to use 1280, but you apparently can still use 18185.

JustPassingBy

bungle82 wrote: »

Hello

If I were to move my calls to Sky, but keep the line rental with BT, would I still be able to use the 18185 and 1280 prefixes?

Sky routes calls over the BT network and, understandably, would like some financial benefit from them. That means that use of the 1280 prefix sends calls via the subscriber's line provider's network (the BT network) but they are billed to you at Sky's rates. If 1280 is not used calls still go the same way. Basically, 1280 is a superfluous prefix in this situation.

18185 prefixed calls go via a non-BT network and are billed at 18185's rates.

Bufflowbill

JustPassingBy wrote: »

Sky routes calls over the BT network and, understandably, would like some financial benefit from them. That means that use of the 1280 prefix sends calls via the subscriber's line provider's network (the BT network) but they are billed to you at Sky's rates. If 1280 is not used calls still go the same way. Basically, 1280 is a superfluous prefix in this situation.

18185 prefixed calls go via a non-BT network and are billed at 18185's rates.

Thats all very well but Ofcom say you should be able to use an over-ride number if you so desire.

See here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/Oftel/ind_groups/op_policy/cpscgm/docs/cp sconguidev3.htm

Ofcom say :

"Q: Do I have to make every call using my CPS provider?

No, you will be able to use any other provider with whom you have arranged services (including BT) by dialling extra digits before the phone number you want to call. (This is called an 'over-ride' or 'indirect access' code.) For example, you may want to use a CPS provider for most international calls but use another provider just for calls to a particular country. "

Heinz

Unfortunately, all this came up just at the time the FTSE began to fall off a cliff and the pound beginning its downward spiral and, although it also coincided with a meeting Martin had with Ofcom and him being asked to raise this issue with them, it appears 'the cruch' was uppermost in Martin's thoughts and either he didn't do so or they chose to ignore him/fob him off. He also promised to blog on the meeting - but that never happened either.

System

Indeed, Ofcom has done and will do nothing about this scam. See
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=17090409&postcount=238

Heinz

YoungNick wrote: »

Indeed, Ofcom has done and will do nothing about this scam. See
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=17090409&postcount=238

And there was me naivly hoping that pressure from someone with a respected reputation like Martin would have the necessary effect!

However, he appeared not to be interested in applying that pressure and so Ofcom can simply continue in its merry way ignoring its alleged remit to regulate in the interests of the citizen consumer.

loulou41

Just wonder if you have line rental with sksy, can you still use 18185? Thanks

billsavings

loulou41 wrote: »

Just wonder if you have line rental with sksy, can you still use 18185? Thanks

Only BT have to allow indirect access codes like 18185. Sky allow 18185 indirect access at moment but could bar it in future.

JustPassingBy

Bufflowbill wrote: »

Thats all very well but Ofcom say you should be able to use an over-ride number if you so desire.

See here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/Oftel/ind_groups/op_policy/cpscgm/docs/cp sconguidev3.htm

Ofcom could do with overhauling the advice they give in that document.