Where Is 18866 / 1899 ? Gone For Good?

Paul_Varjak

Yesterday, I got the 'equipment engaged' tone (two pitches of differing duration) when calling the 18866 freefone access number.

Today, I am getting the Number Unobtainable tone (continuous single tone).

Fenella

18866 was not working for me yesterday (North London) but appears to be fine
now.
I've been with 18866 for about a year now with no previous problems.:)

koenig

Does 1899 and 18866 work if the number is set as withheld?

Plus after u type in the above numbers or the 0808 numbers if ur on a non-BT line do u have to type in the area code for calls within ur own STD area?

Thanks

Smartasss

koenig wrote:

Does 1899 and 18866 work if the number is set as withheld?

Plus after u type in the above numbers or the 0808 numbers if ur on a non-BT line do u have to type in the area code for calls within ur own STD area?

Thanks

1) Yes

2) Yes

derrick

koenig wrote:

Does 1899 and 18866 work if the number is set as withheld?

Yes it does

Plus after u type in the above numbers or the 0808 numbers if ur on a non-BT line do u have to type in the area code for calls within ur own STD area?

Thanks

Yes you do

andy88_2

I only tried 141 when accessing from my mobile via the 08081 numbers; that did not work. Maybe I'll try the landline.

If the number is withheld even from 18866 or 1899 then I can't see how it would work without an account identity.

andy88_2

This from another forum discussing that they're still a bit flaky today

>>They have been having problems, where part of their equipment in
>> their racking system has failed, they are trying to bypass parts
>> that have failed.
>
> You seem to be remarkable well informed. Care you share your source of
> information?

I emailed them, and asked them if they knew the exact causes of the problem.

Surprising they had time to answer!

koenig

If ur using a Phone Pal from Onetel, on a non-BT line, it doesn't work if ur number is set to be withheld. Don't think it matters with CPS.

It's alot of buttons to press, especially if ur on a non-BT line, I was going to recommend 18866/1899 to my parents but not sure now with their eyes. That's 22 digits for a local call on a non-BT line!!

Paul_Varjak

andy88 wrote:

I only tried 141 when accessing from my mobile via the 08081 numbers; that did not work. Maybe I'll try the landline.

If the number is withheld even from 18866 or 1899 then I can't see how it would work without an account identity.

When you withhold your number using 141, your number is still transmitted through the network - except to the destination number you are calling. Therfore, when you use alternative service providers (such as 18866 and One-Tel) they still have access to your number.

If you do not believe then try calling the following number:

141 01482 324848 from either your BT account, 18866 account or One-tel account. I suggest you do it during the day when telecoms engineers make such test calls.

They will only confirm what number you are calling from if you give them your number. So, if you lie about what number you call from they will say that is not the number showing on their display!

Of course, if your telecome operator could not identify the number you were calling from - how could they possibly charge you? I use KC, 18866 and One-tel and I have permanent withhold of my number and I get bills from all three - so my number is still being transmitted to the operators even though it is 'withheld'!

Some override providers (at least historically) have not correctly handled 'withheld' numbers. I used a service from Telecom Plus which never passed on your number if you were calling a geographical number (whether your number was 'withheld' or not) but always passed on your number when calling non-geographical numbers (e.g 0845/0870) even if you withheld with 141.

koenig

Paul_Varjak wrote:

When you withhold your number using 141, your number is still transmitted through the network - except to the destination number you are calling. Therfore, when you use alternative service providers (such as 18866 and One-Tel) they still have access to your number.

If you do not believe then try calling the following number:

141 01482 324848 from either your BT account, 18866 account or One-tel account. I suggest you do it during the day when telecoms engineers make such test calls.

They will only confirm what number you are calling from if you give them your number. So, if you lie about what number you call from they will say that is not the number showing on their display!

Of course, if your telecome operator could not identify the number you were calling from - how could they possibly charge you? I use KC, 18866 and One-tel and I have permanent withhold of my number and I get bills from all three - so my number is still being transmitted to the operators even though it is 'withheld'!

Some override providers (at least historically) have not correctly handled 'withheld' numbers. I used a service from Telecom Plus which never passed on your number if you were calling a geographical number (whether your number was 'withheld' or not) but always passed on your number when calling non-geographical numbers (e.g 0845/0870) even if you withheld with 141.

R u using Onetel via CPS?
If Onetel is used via a Phonepal, CLI suppression may be intermittent. See here:
http://www.onetel.co.uk/questions/index.php?p=default&cat=36