WARNING | 02 calls to Virgin numbers

Zoee

My Virgin number starts with 07458 and this prefix is considered by the 02 network to be a special number and therefore is chargable

and yet...

texts from 02 to Virgin numbers starting 07458 are not charged

Even to hunt the phone location in the house, dialling it from an 02 tariff, with unlimited calls/texts, we were charged 30p and this is without the Virgin phone being answered (by voicemail or picked up verbally)

Telephoning 02 for an explaination why there's charges for connecting to this Virgin number, I was informed that: "Virgin charges 02 and 02 pass on that cost"

The 02's T&Cs is not consistent neither!

non-standard or "special" 07 numbers (all those 07 numbers that are not specifically included in your inclusive minutes, including 07 numbers allocated to network operators in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man) incur a cost

then elsewhere on their website...

Calls and texts to UK numbers starting with 01, 02 and 03, and mobile numbers starting with 07, are included and will be taken from your tariff allowance.

Confusing because it appears that each of their T&Cs (so far) that I've found or been directed to has a different interpretation of dialling a 07 number especially when UK mobile numbers can range from 070 to 079 prefixes.

I've yet to see a specific T&C statement of dialling a 07458 numbers from the 02 network.

Furthermore, trying to find it shows how hidden this information is on their website.

My rhetorical question is: If 02 knows they will be a charge, is there a reason why they cant place a popup or verbal message prior to connecting to a Virgin 07458 number a warning to the effect of: 'continuing you will incur a charge' thereby giving a choice of continuing or not?

02 have given a 'goodwill gesture' refund of calls when I alerted them to this discovery (I got my Virgin # in early March and the 02 statement became available this month (Apr)) and so now no more calling only texting

BtW: They still havent answered why texts from 02 to Virgin are free and yet calls arent

Ectophile

There is a list of 07 numbers that they consider "premium rate" here https://www.o2.co.uk/popups/specialnumbers-popup-07

I have no idea where that list comes from, though.

AndyPix

Strange one -


That list says that they are non-mobile and call forwarding numbers though ..
From the OP it seems like this is just a regular mobile number :huh:

BorisThomson

Not all 07458 numbers are special numbers or chargeable, my mum has had one for years with no problems. It depends on the next digit. Some are issued by Three, some Virgin and others premium and (I think) Isle of Man numbers.