Cost of 0344 numbers?

ChrisJJ

Can anyone tell me the cost of 0344 calls please? I have an all inclusive phone package with EE and have been told by them that it's a premium rate number, but I've definitely seen it written (somewhere!) that all 01,02 and 03 numbers are included in the package. I'm pretty sure it didn't say "except 0344".

I'm so confused!

Is anyone with EE and if so, have you experience of calling an 0344 number?

Thank you

LazyTyper

The person that told you that it is a premium rate number was speaking rubbish.... unless he/she misread it as an 0844 number.

ChrisJJ

This was a guy at EE. I actually rang back a second time just to check and got the same guy! He said he'd checked with a manager and repeated the same info....

ChrisJJ

Even though my plan states that calls to landlines beginning 03 are free, he seemed to be saying that this particular number may not be a landline, therefore a charge could be incurred. I am non the wiser.

LazyTyper

They are both mistaken.

The whole point of any telephone number beginning 03 is so you can rest assured the charge will be the same as calling a number beginning 01 or 02, and if there are any inclusive minutes then those will be used.

Norman_Castle

http://smartcaller.org/prefixes/0344-numbers/

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/4G-and-mobile-data/0344-Numbers/td-p/354816

victor2

ChrisJJ wrote: »

This was a guy at EE. I actually rang back a second time just to check and got the same guy! He said he'd checked with a manager and repeated the same info....

He was full of what a lot of EE staff seem to be full of...
Info from OFCOM here:
http://ask.ofcom.org.uk/help/telephone/03number

Ian011

Calls to 03 numbers count towards inclusive allowances on landlines and on mobiles in the same way as calls to 01 and 02 numbers. Where there is no inclusive allowance, or it has run out, calls to 03 numbers cost no more than the rate charged for calls to 01 and 02 numbers. These rules have been in force since 2007.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/contacting-08-and-03-numbers

I have seen a number of (unverified) reports that say that EE will charge for calls to 03 numbers that terminate in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man. If they are doing this, it is a breach of Ofcom regulations. 03 numbers are non-geographic and therefore there can be no geographic determination affecting the call price.

If you are charged differently for a call to an 03 number than for a call to an 01 or 02 number make a complaint to Ofcom.



See also
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5528968

ChrisJJ

Thanks all. Decided to go with my mobile provider instead - even they weren't sure!! They finally decided on no, no charges. However, they did at least log the call and say that IF any charges were accrued, they would be waived. This was Tesco, who are usually pretty good

Tesco were unsure as whilst they said that they don't charge for the call, a call can be applied by the business I'm calling. I have no idea how this works and now my head hurts.

LazyTyper

ChrisJJ wrote: »

Tesco were unsure as whilst they said that they don't charge for the call, a call can be applied by the business I'm calling. I have no idea how this works and now my head hurts.

That would be 08 numbers (excluding 0800 and 0808 freephone) - see http://ask.ofcom.org.uk/help/telephone/ukcalling

Ian011

Numbers with additional charges are those starting 070, 084, 087, 09 and 118. In the case of numbers starting 084, 087, 09 and 118 the additional charge is separately declared as the Service Charge.