PAYG that doesn't charge when you ring and hang up?

kiwi_fruit

It used to be O2:( My partner has unlimited something tariff with them, so we have this arrangement that I ring and hang up and he rings me back- this way I don't get charged anything from PAYG topup- done it for years and I reckon it saved us quite a lot. But lately I've noticed they started charging 25p for doing that- even when it goes to voicemail!:mad: Is this the case with other networks as well?
I don't have a need for any sort of a montly tariff as I top up once in a blue moon- £10 lasts me months.

Scrounger

So long as the call is not answered (going to voicemail is answering) then you shouldn't be charged by any mobile phone (or landline for that matter).

Scrounger

roddydogs

Wrong, Virgin for one will charge if the "unanswered" call is longer than 1 min.

peachyprice

kiwi_fruit wrote: »

But lately I've noticed they started charging 25p for doing that- even when it goes to voicemail!:mad: Is this the case with other networks as well?

If it's going to voicemail the call is being answered, that's why you've been charged.

Just ringing out and hanging up shouldn't incur any charges (except on Virgin over 1 min it seems, but whose mobile rings for 1 min before switching to voicemail?). So the old three rings should always be free, but I guess you can't tell before you ring whether your partner is on the phone or has it switched off, which is where you're probably coming unstuck.

All PAYG networks will charge you for call that go through to voicemail, it's just seen as an answered call, there's no way around that.

Maybe something has changed in your partners routine that means they are now on the phone more or have the phone switched off more often which is why you're only noticing this now?

kiwi_fruit

Thanks for your replies.
Scrounger, well, it sure used to be that, now it deducts 25p every time, I can see that as the remaining credit shows up every time after ringing.
Usually 2 rings- so definitely under a min! Even if you press ring by accident and hang up half a second later still charges(checked!)

Ok, I could understand voicemail being charged. But not unanswered call, seems cheeky. Guess it's time to try some other PAYG.

robti

Read somewhere that as soon as it rings it's classed as connected and your billed, someone asking near enough the same question as you.

[Deleted User]

You could change to Tesco Mobile Lite tariff - that does not charge unless the call is answered or goes to voicemail. Tesco cut the call after about 30 seconds if not answered (or voicemail is switched off) and there is no charge made in these circumstances.

The call costs are 8p a minute and 4p a text.

You get a standard Tesco PAYG sim on their normal triple credit tariff, then set up an account on their website and change the tariff to Lite for the lower costs. Then you can top up your ten pounds in the usual way.