MSE News: Calls to 084, 087, 09 and 118 to be clearer, but prices vary wildly

oldharryrocks

Ed_Enuff wrote: »

You think that's bad? BT are charging £1.20 per minute to call a landline in Thailand. That's £72 per hour!!!

Well dont use BT then to call it direct use a much cheaper supplier.:D
EG: https://www.localphone.com/call/thailand

Ed_Enuff

I was never stupid enough to use BT direct but was still using Telesavers/BT at about 11p a minute. Will try Local Phone for sure. So a big thank you to you Harry.. and a big stiff middle finger to BT!

Grouchy

and.why.not wrote: »

If you have inclusive calls to 01/02/03 numbers try 03300330300 - unfortunately if you only have inclusive off-peak/weekend calls it only works Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Have used this before but last week (called during its operating hours) it doesn't appear to work now.

Also, the Callsdiscount number doesn't work either.

Not sure why on either of those.

Has anyone got a recommendation for cheap calls US/Canada?

Thanks

Ian011

Grouchy wrote: »

Has anyone got a recommendation for cheap calls to US/Canada?

There are several providers offering dial-through services via an 03 access number and with no further payments to be made. If you have an allowance of inclusive calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers each such call will add nothing to your phone bill. These services usually have restricted operating hours, often 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and only Monday to Friday.

There are numerous other providers offering access via 084 or 087 numbers. This isn't particularly cheap unless you can find an 0845 or 0870 number that's treated as inclusive within your calls allowance.

Otherwise, you'll need to set up a separate account with a dial-through provider that offers access via an 01, 02, 03 or 080 number or via an Indirect Access number such as 18185. The call to the access number is inclusive or free, and the dial-through provider sends you a separate bill for the international leg of the call.

oldharryrocks

Grouchy wrote: »

Also, the Callsdiscount number doesn't work either.

Not sure why on either of those.

Has anyone got a recommendation for cheap calls US/Canada?

Thanks

Have you tried its sister company https://www.callstunt.com 0161 access number.

Grouchy

Thanks both for the replies. Will give the stunt one a try and look for others with the 'free' prefix.

Thanks.

Grouchy

Well, having happily used a couple of the numbers given, they have gradually been phased out it seems (or gone to register first type arrangements).

Anyone recommend something current I can use? I have Plusnet Anytime calls if that helps.

Thanks

Ian011

There are plenty of dial-through providers offering ...

- 03 access numbers (call only if the 03 number is inclusive in allowances) with no further payment for the international leg of the call - these can be used to onwards call landline numbers in Europe and further beyond, but beware these services often have limited operating hours, such as 0900 to 1700 Monday to Friday only.

- 0845 access numbers (call only if the 0845 number is inclusive in allowances) - these can be used to onwards call:
-- UK mobile numbers starting 071-075 and 077-079
-- landline and mobile numbers allocated in Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man
-- various international destinations.

- 0870 access numbers (call only if the 0870 number is inclusive in allowances) - these can be used to onwards call:
-- UK mobile numbers starting 071-075 and 077-079
-- landline and mobile numbers allocated in Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man
-- 084 numbers, including numbers for other dial-through providers
-- other 087 numbers (with a Service Charge of up to 10p per minute), including numbers for other dial-through providers
-- various international destinations.



See also:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5572366

webbit

should companies who advertise their number as 0845 state either when connected on on their website that the call is premium rate

Ian011

Be aware that usage of 084, 087, 09 & 118 numbers is banned for customer services, financial services and public services (except for a couple of very specific cases). In some cases, regulations give callers the right to a refund of call costs incurred.

See also:
- https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5437763
- https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5292529
- https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5219756


All remaining users of 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers must state the call costs in close proximity to the number wherever the number is advertised or promoted. There is no requirement for an announcement at the start of the call. Ofcom requires that you know the costs BEFORE you call.

See also:
- http://ask.ofcom.org.uk/help/telephone/businesscalling
- https://www.cap.org.uk/Advice-Training-on-the-rules/Advice-Online-Database/Chargeable-08-numbers-General.aspx

Updated URLs following site re-organisations:
- https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/uk-calling
- https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/uk-calling/uk-calling-for-businesses
- https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/non-geographic-call-charges.html