Is your provider still charging extra for 'non-mobile' numbers?

redux

I still don't expect fast movement on everything, but may have been some improvements

I looked at the exclusion list on one mobile brand's website, giffgaff. At least they still publish a list. Vodafone removed theirs some time ago ( I haven't checked whether it has returned, but either way I certainly wouldn't assume that all are now inclusive).

Giffgaff's exclusipn list still includes a prefix for which I have a SIM card, and the provider's own website declares the wholesale MTR as 0.495 p/min. Giffgaff also lists prefixes which haven't been in use for years, and even has one range which is allocated to BT.

Another SIM that I used to have used to be excluded, but now isn't. Presumably people from some companies sorted things out between them. Other numbers from the same provider are mostly no longer excluded, but a couple remain out.

Some 07 numbers have been used by various VoIP brands, some with mobile applications that work over wifi or mobile data. Some have been included in main network bundles for years, some excluded for a long time but now apparently ok. I was surprised 2 or 3 years at one number range not being sanctioned as excluded, but on the other hand at least two main networks didn't connect calls. This is irrelevant now as my allocated number has disappeared and the brand is closing down shortly.

Having said all of that, I'm not about to conduct any experiments from Toggle Mobile (part of Lyca). They charged me loads (29p, vs their normal 3p) for a few seconds to a Vectone number a couple of years ago (which was also excluded by giffgaff at the time). Toggle turned out to have two exclusion lists, one with that prefix on it, the other not. They still have two lists (the long one has 08 numbers and other stuff, besides 07), but I'm not going to spend time comparing them now.

Ian011

iD Mobile has been caught charging extra for calls and texts to some mobile numbers on the Three network.
See https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5720531
They also publish a long list of other mobile prefixes that are excluded from allowances.

Their claim is that these are premium rate "non-mobile" number ranges. This despite changes to Ofcom regulations effective 1 May 2015 that eliminated the basis (high termination rates) for this.

Ian011

Ofcom published a further consultation on setting the Mobile Termination Rate cap for 2018, 2019 and 2020, the new rates to take effect on 1 April of each year. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-3/further-consultation-mobile-call-termination-market-review

The additional consultation added more providers and more number ranges that will be covered by the cap. Ofcom's work essentially removes the entire basis (high termination rates) for providers justifying publishing lists of mobile number ranges which they exclude from inclusive allowances and charge extra for.

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Giffgaff has been caught charging extra for calls and texts to some mobile numbers on the Virgin Media network. They also publish a long list of other mobile prefixes that are excluded from allowances.

Their claim is that these are premium rate "non-mobile" number ranges. This despite changes to Ofcom regulations effective 1 May 2015 that were supposed to eliminate the basis (high termination rates) for this - and it is very likely that Virgin Media already complies making this an error by giffgaff.

The further changes imposed by Ofcom that will come into effect on 1 April 2018 should leave no room for continuation of this rip off.

Wortle

Just had a relative move to 1p mobile and they say that my toggle number (through lycamobile) is very expensive to call. I had no idea. I am now seeking to leave Toggle.

In addition to that grumble, when I joined Toggle calls to other mobiles were less than 10p a minute and I topped up on the understanding that was what I would be paying. I have money therefore on the account which I wish to reclaim but Toggle have stated "there is no option to refund the credit either back to your account or by cheque. We would like to inform you that if you wish to move to a different provider, please use the credit as there is no option to carry forward it."
I thought I had read somewhere on this forum that PAYG providers must refund any credit to you.
Can anyone clarify?
Thanks

mac.d

Wortle wrote: »

I thought I had read somewhere on this forum that PAYG providers must refund any credit to you.
Can anyone clarify?
Thanks

No you have to use it or lose it. You can donate it to charity if you don't want to just lose it.


How to use up your remaining PAYG credit

Ian011

Wortle wrote: »

Just had a relative move to 1p mobile and they say that my Toggle number (through lycamobile) is very expensive to call. I had no idea. I am now seeking to leave Toggle.

Ofcom regulations require the termination rate charged by your mobile provider on incoming calls to be less than 0.49p per minute. This being the case, there is no reason for 1p Mobile to charge calls to your number any differently than they do for calls to other UK mobile numbers.

What are next four digits after the initial 07 of the phone number in question?

PHK

There is a bit of a wrinkle to this. The termination rate control applies to the sixty nine companies listed in the mobile review (so don't automatically apply to new entrants or where the calls don't terminate in the UK, or where Ofcom have excluded them).
What the regulations say is that if an operator (who is terminating calls), who isn't listed, has an MTR above the limit and a listed operator complains to Ofcom then Ofcom will use its discretion to decide if they should have a cap applied.

Slaphead

Ian011 wrote: »

What are next four digits after the initial 07 of the phone number in question?

There are 2 numbers I believe are Lycamobile/Toggle
074045xxxxx,

074483xxxxx.

Wortle

Ian011 wrote: »

Ofcom regulations require the termination rate charged by your mobile provider on incoming calls to be less than 0.49p per minute. This being the case, there is no reason for 1p Mobile to charge calls to your number any differently than they do for calls to other UK mobile numbers.

What are next four digits after the initial 07 of the phone number in question?

Hi, My toggle number starts 074055



As I say the credit I put on the PAYG was on the understanding that calls to other mobile numbers were under 10p, they are now at 29p. A considerable increase. I would have thought there were systems in place to prevent such profiteering.


Can any PAYG can insist on say a £30 min top up with it.s calls at xp a minute to other mobiles, then just hike the cost a year or two later, without notifying you by 3 times the original cost?


It seems to me that I could move to another PAYG provider and be rooked again!

pmduk

It's a competitive industry and as such there are no price controls. I'd be vary wary of a £30 top-up.