0845 and 0844 phone calls not free on virgin Media landline

JAK57

Whilst 0870 phone calls are free from Virgin Media landlines they still charge for calls to 08444 and 0845 numbers. I believe they are free with BT but am not sure about other phone providers. Virgin Media always seems to lag behind maybe some time in the future they will include these numbers free in their phone packages

poppasmurf_bewdley

Nobody gives free calls to 0844 numbers. It's a premium rate number. I don't know why they don't give free calls to 0845 though.

Buzby

Doubt it - the benefit of 'competition' dictates what you get. As a VM customer, I use alternative numbers - like checking saynoto0870.com to find alternatives so not really an issue. Nothing is 'free' just inclusive, so you pay your money and make your choice.

AndyPK

haven't 0845 been replaced with 0330 or similar?

Ian011

All 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers are premium rate. The premium is the additional Service Charge paid to the benefit of the called party and their telecoms provider.

Usage of these numbers is now banned for customer services, financial services and public services. Most premium rate 084, 087 or 09 numbers found online are either out of date or are fake numbers promoted as part of a scam.

Most busineses have swapped to 03 or 080 numbers. All users of 084 and 087 numbers can swap to the exactly matching 034 or 037 number at any time. Be sure to check the official website of whoever it is you are trying to call.

Calls to 03 numbers are inclusive in allowances on landlines and on mobiles or otherwise charged the same as calling an 01 or 02 number. Calls to 080 numbers are free-to-caller on landlines and on mobiles.

Any phone provider offering inclusive calls to any premium rate numbers is now seen to be an anomaly in the market place. BT can do this with 0845 and 0870 numbers - they are the largest supplier of these numbers to businesses so the Service Charge revenue for these calls flows to BT. Other providers can offer inclusive calls to these numbers only by making a loss on every such call made.

JAK57

Many Tesco Extra stores use 0845 and there is no alternatives. I am sure there are other companies where that is also the case

[Deleted User]

JAK57 wrote: »

Many Tesco Extra stores use 0845 and there is no alternatives. I am sure there are other companies where that is also the case

Just checked and the first 60 spiralling out from our location are all 0345 except for one on a 0330 number.

Ian011

JAK57 wrote: »

Many Tesco Extra stores use 0845 and there is no alternatives. I am sure there are other companies where that is also the case

All Tesco stores swapped to 0345 numbers in the autumn of 2014 - four years ago.
See https://secure.tesco.com/store-locator/uk/asp/towns/?l=L&t=LONDON.