00800 International Call Issue

Coda2a

I needed to call an international freephone breakdown number for vehicle recovery which fortunately was from my home address. The call rings but is then terminated with two beeps. Technical support from my provider Plusnet unable to resolve. I am able to dial internationally ( son lives abroad). I do not have any restrictions on my mobile account that would prevent this. I need to resolve the issue of being able to dial this number from my mobile (not a landline) in the event of me breaking down away from home. Next step was to switch mobile provider (Lebara), again I am unable to dial the international free phone number yet can dial international numbers! Looking on other mobile provider forums (Virgin) many other people have this issue with international free phone number. If anyone has a solution it would be appreciated

ballyblack

freefone numbers are usually only available within the country

Most toll free numbers can only be dialed for free within their own country.

Jon_01

As above.
They're only (normally) free in their home country because the provider has a deal for low cost Local calls.
Calling from outside that country would not be allowed on the plan that the business is on, so the call is rejected.

Coda2a

Update and just to qualify, the issue is not with national free phone 0800 numbers, it is international free phone 00 800 numbers. 

A work colleague of mine who is on the O2 network can dial the international free phone number no problem. 

Issue currently with Plusnet and Lebara. Number I am trying to dial is 00800 2532 0000 it would be interesting to learn from other MSE people against this thread which phone providers enable access.

PHK

00800 numbers are issued by the ITU and are free to call from a landline. Whether a mobile operator will allow them depends on whether they have an interconnect agreement with the service provider. Whether it will work depends on whether the owner of the number will accept the higher charge for a mobile call (some operators will work because their charge is the same as for a landline)

Coda2a

Interesting reading regarding the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) and whether the owner of the number accepts a call charge from a mobile operator if the cost is not the same if calling from a landline.  Am I correct in assuming that cost discrimination is made by the owner of the international free phone number? Alternatively could the owner discriminate against mobile providers whose calls are greater and they have already identified?

Rodders53

Googling that number, finds https://www.alfaromeo.co.uk/contact-us

May I suggest you ask Alfa Romeo for an alternative contact number and/or make them aware you can't get through from your phone(s), and what they can suggest you do?

pmduk

Have you tried dialling the number by holding the 0 button until it turns to a plus sign on the display then adding the numbers after the initial 00 and then sending? It's been known to work.
NB Lebara might not treat it as a free call, so check first