Minimum call duration use within free minutes allowance

Avs_2

Hi,
Hope someone can clear things up for me.
I have seen my Virgin Mobile bill and it is now clear that the reason why I have gone over my allowance is that any call I make under 1 minute, still uses up a full minute of my allowance..............so if I make 5 x 12 second calls, they will still take up 5 minutes of my allowance.

Is this the case for all networks ?
Is there a website where I can compare exaclty this issue ?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Jon_01

I believe they all work on a minimum one minute now (unless someone can correct me ?).

Avs_2

Thanks for your reply Jon.....I guess there is no real difference then if I stick with any of the major networks or Virgin or even the new Tesco Sim offer if they all charge in the same way......just go to the one who has the best offer I guess (as long as their reception is acceptable where I live).

Any other words from the wise out there about the unfair usage of inclusive minutes ?

4013TheTune

I'm on T-mobile and my allowance is counted by seconds i.e Just checked my allowance and I have 263 mins and 48 seconds left. I'm pretty sure other networks use minute by minute allowances.

Tony5101

I think that most will charge a minimum of 1 minute, but then after the first minute it will be per second. Although I stand to be corrected.

Guys_Dad

Orange charge me by the second.

kier333

Vodafone charge by the second

Stuart_W

Orange charge me by the second, which is really important for me as I only tend to use my mobile for short calls (my small allowance of 50 minutes a month usually can often cover over 100 phone calls).

Are you on a monthly bill with an inclusive allowance
OR
Are you on PAYG with a "bundle/extra/bolt on/top up reward" of minutes?

I think this could be the difference, but I may be wrong.

For serious "short callers", the phone co-op's 7p/min tariff (no inclusive minutes) charges by the second with a low 1.2p minimum call charge. The 5 12 second calls you mention would cost a total of 6p. Downside is that all texts are 7p each and there is £2/month line rental, so unlikely to be moneysaving for many people.
http://www.thephone.coop/residential/payu

Bikertov

Voadfone are definately no minimum duration (ie by the second) on inclusive calls, but do charge a minimum of 12p or so once you go over your allowance.

Avs_2

Thank you all for your help...seems that virgin mobile has this downfall compared to the competition.

what about Tesco mobile....does there allowance decrease by the second as well even when below 1 minute ?

swanswan1

Orange no longer charges just per second, there's a minute minimum.

"From 4 January 2011, all voice calls outside allowance will be subject to
minimum call charge of 1 minute, then charge per second."

Hence why I've been stung for 60 minutes of call time rather than about 60 2 second calls.
They should really tell you these things.
With not being informed, should I be liable for the cost?