Orange/Wanadoo pushing up the premiums of PAYG dial-up.

masonic

...According to an e-mail I got from them yesterday.

From 24 July 2006 you'll pay 2p a minute in the evenings and 4p a minute during the day (6am to 6pm, Monday - Friday). You'll still only pay for the time you go online and pay just 1p a minute at weekends. All Internet charges will still appear on your phone bill as they do now.

I'm not aware of any other provider that charges more than 0845 rates for 'casual' dial-up access. The only effect I can see this having is their PAYG customer base evaporating, or will others follow suit?

DonnyDave

I think that it is the trend that PAYG ISPs are going to slightly more expensive 0844 numbers.

masonic

DonnyDave wrote:

I think that it is the trend that PAYG ISPs are going to slightly more expensive 0844 numbers.

Slightly more expensive 0844 numbers? I know 0844 numbers can cost anywhere up to 10p per minute at all times, but I was under the impression that the 0844 numbers ISPs were using weren't any more expensive than an 0845 number. After a quick google search I can't imagine why...

"CHEAPER than 0845 dial-up numbers!" - Freerangedial
"There is no cost difference between using an 0845 or 0844 number to connect to the Internet at all." - FreeUKISP
"CHEAPER than 0845 dial-up numbers!" - Myfreeisp

In fact, all of these ISPs charge 3.95p/1p/1p as opposed to 3p/1p/1p for 0845 numbers. Perhaps they are referring to the cost to themselves :rolleyes:.

Still, I couldn't find any examples of 0844-based ISPs charging 2ppm for evening calls, which is what Orange is planning to do.

DonnyDave

BT's non-discounted packages such as Light User Scheme charges 3.95/1/1p/min for 0845 and local calls during the daytime/evening/weekend, respectively.

As most people are on BT Together, the rates for 0845 are lower. But the 0844 rates are the same whether on BT Together or LUS.

Another thing to note is that the three ISPs you have highlighted are using 0844 numbers that are designated for non-internet use.

masonic

DonnyDave wrote:

BT's non-discounted packages such as Light User Scheme charges 3.95/1/1p/min for 0845 and local calls during the daytime/evening/weekend, respectively.

As most people are on BT Together, the rates for 0845 are lower. But the 0844 rates are the same whether on BT Together or LUS.!!

Well I hope you agree that it's still misleading to make a blanket claim that 0844 numbers are cheaper or the same price as 0845 dialup numbers, when for the majority of people they are more expensive (they aren't cheaper for anyone).

DonnyDave wrote:

Another thing to note is that the three ISPs you have highlighted are using 0844 numbers that are designated for non-internet use.

I did notice that, although I also looked at some that were on the equally priced i15 tariff, which is designated to internet services. I'm afraid the significance escapes me, though.

DonnyDave

masonic wrote:

Well I hope you agree that it's still misleading to make a blanket claim that 0844 numbers are cheaper or the same price as 0845 dialup numbers, when for the majority of people they are more expensive (they aren't cheaper for anyone).

Yeah, definately agree with that. It's the same with companies peddling the local and national rate lie for 0845/0870.