Blocking Dir Enqs, 0871, 0844 etc on Vodafone.

Bigun28

Is there a way of blocking certain numbers (eg 118118, 0871, 0845, 0844 etc) on an iPhone 4S on contract with Vodafone? I'm trying to avoid large unexpected bills with the family mobile phones.

grumbler

I think they can block only international and premium numbers.

Smartphones have various apps available for blocking any numbers.

simax

As Dir Enq numbers are classed as premium services by OFCOM (They fall under the jurisdiction of PhonePayPlus) a Dir Enq bar MUST be available from all operators.

08xx numbers don't fall into this remit (even though 0871 numbers are classed as premium)

grumbler

simax wrote: »

... (even though 0871 numbers are classed as premium)

Classed by whom?

DaveAA

084, 087 and 09 numbers are premium rate. The call price contains a "revenue share" premium that your phone company passes on. The flow of money is exactly the same for all three number ranges. The only difference is the level involved: up to 5p/min for 084 numbers, up to 10p/min for 087 numbers, and more than 10p/min for 09 numbers. This payment will soon be known as the "Service Charge". 0871, 0872, 0873 and 09 numbers also come under additional PRS regulation.

There's much more detailed information in the thread at: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4557431

DonnyDave

grumbler wrote: »

Classed by whom?

By Ofcom. 0871/0872/0873 was designated as PRS (Premium Rate Services, a term defined in the Communications Act).

NFH

DonnyDave wrote: »

By Ofcom. 0871/0872/0873 was designated as PRS (Premium Rate Services, a term defined in the Communications Act).

Well spotted. Section 120(7)&(8) of the Communications Act 2003 states:

(7) A service is a premium rate service for the purposes of this Chapter if—
(a) it is a service falling within subsection (8);
(b) there is a charge for the provision of the service;
(c) the charge is required to be paid to a person providing an electronic communications service by means of which the service in question is provided; and
(d) that charge is imposed in the form of a charge made by that person for the use of the electronic communications service.

(8) A service falls within this subsection if its provision consists in—
(a) the provision of the contents of communications transmitted by means of an electronic communications network; or
(b) allowing the user of an electronic communications service to make use, by the making of a transmission by means of that service, of a facility made available to the users of the electronic communications service.

It therefore follows that 084 and 087 numbers are defined in law as premium rate services. The prefix and price are irrelevant.

DaveAA

Nearly!

The price paid for calls to 084, 087 and 09 numbers includes a "premium". These numbers are "premium rate".

0871, 0872, 0873 and 09 numbers are also covered by additional and specific Premium Rate Services regulation. Likewise DQ numbers beginning 118.

Note the capitalisation, or not.