Not all Freephone Numbers are Free !!!!

Chalky

Afternoon All,

This has been a little gripe I have had over the years
and I feel it's about time someone dealt with it.

If someone calls a 0800 Freephone number from a land
line, it costs the caller nothing.

If someone calls a 0800 Freephone number from a
payphone in the street, it costs the caller nothing.

If someone calls a 0800 Freephone number from a
contract mobile phone, it costs the caller nothing.

However.....

If someone calls a 0800 Freephone number from a
Pay-as-You-Go / Pre-pay mobile, the caller is charged
at the standard rate (which you are told about before you
are connected)

There are a majority of companies, and charity's who
operate the Freephone number, including Childline and
various advice and helplines, and I feel that people,
which includes children, are being put off calling
these 'Freephone' numbers due to the charges.

Just wondering how I could get the ball rolling to get
the network companys to stop charging.

Cheers

jimmyjim_uk

Chalky wrote:

If someone calls a 0800 Freephone number from a
contract mobile phone, it costs the caller nothing.

Most calls to 0800 numbers on contract are not free and are not included in your free minutes. I know that is the case for H3G and Orange.

Charity 0800 numbers (e.g. Childline) should be free from any phone. Your network provided will have a list of the 0800 numbers that are free to call from your network (I think this includes PAYG).

If you feel you are being wrongly charged, give them a call and complain.

jf2404

i'm on contract and i pay for 0800 numbers too.

They will probably make too much money from people thinking it's free, i doubt they will change.

marjorie_2

methinks you've misunderstood the 0800charity or helpline concept

BECAUSE they're free 0800's that attracts people / kids to call these organisations easily.

if a kid had to put money or if a charity giver would have to call [heaven forfend] an expensive NGN or even any paying number - tey would not receive many calls at all!1

malolo

jimmyjim_uk wrote:

Most calls to 0800 numbers on contract are not free and are not included in your free minutes. I know that is the case for H3G and Orange.

0800 numbers are free on Orange contracts excluding OVPs.

jimmyjim_uk

malolo wrote:

0800 numbers are free on Orange contracts excluding OVPs.

I stand corrected.

H3G definately do charge for 0800 numbers and they are not included in your free minutes

Flimber

I though 0800 was free only on the Orange Everyday50 (or equivalent) ? And that may now be defunct anyways...

Mike.

bbb_uk

I'm sure I read somewhere on MSE that Orange started charging for 0800 calls and that some people actually got out of their contracts due to this t&c change!?!?

It may only be a few tariffs that don't charge for 0800 calls!

LSmith4285

bbb_uk wrote:

I'm sure I read somewhere on MSE that Orange started charging for 0800 calls and that some people actually got out of their contracts due to this t&c change!?!?

It may only be a few tariffs that don't charge for 0800 calls!

This was only related to data calls made to 0800 numbers.

Orange are still free for voice calls to 0800 numbers excluding calling card services. This is only applicable to contracts with Orange standard tariffs, not OVP. OVP charges are replicated exactly as they are on their own networks and as such 0800s are chargable.

andy88_2

Orange have had free 0800 calls since launch in May 94.

I believe One2one used to have free 0800 calls. Vodafone and Cellnet never offered free 0800 calls as far as I am aware.

I wish you luck in changing a nearly 20 year old tradition

jimmyjim_uk

I've done my research and Orange don't charge for 0800 for standard talk plans only. You can check that here

I was suprised to see that 0870 numbers are included in your free minutes.

I could of swore that I got charged for 0800 numbers when I was with Orange , I must of been mistaken.