Mobile Phone Freephone number warning

EdCov

I have an orange contract phone and since my parents were going on their hols and I had free minutes on my second phone going to waste I lent it to them.

When they got back from holiday their landline was not working and so they continued to use the mobile, no problem. BT gave them a freephone number to call, which being BT they had to spend quite a lot of time on.

Orange (tarrif to match vodaphone Anytime 200) charged for the calls. Now it is not a massive amount, but do remember if you are on a mobile say no to 0800!!! Crazy because I had plenty of Anytime Anynetwork minutes left over.

By the way how do I know that was what I was charged for since I do not pay for (nor receive in the post) an itemised bill? I went online and you can get a free PDF of the itemisd bill.

pricefighter

Orange only allow you to call Freephone Numbers from one of there own contract tariffs.If you ask them to match a Voda Tariff thats exactly what they do.Voda charge for calls to 0800,thats why Orange have charged.You cant have your cake and eat it to(Unless your lucky of course).

Rex_Mundi

I've got an O2 PAYG, which I use with one of there 'bolt on' packages. My package is the 'Call 500 Bolt On' (500mins anytime any network for £23.50 a month). I've called 0800 and 0845 numbers and these don't get charged extra. I've also found that the access numbers for calling abroad (0844) are included in my minutes. I can speak to relatives abroad for free!

pricefighter

Rex_Mundi wrote:

I've got an O2 PAYG, which I use with one of there 'bolt on' packages. My package is the 'Call 500 Bolt On' (500mins anytime any network for £23.50 a month). I've called 0800 and 0845 numbers and these don't get charged extra. I've also found that the access numbers for calling abroad (0844) are included in my minutes. I can speak to relatives abroad for free!

Yes as Rex points out O2 do allow you to call NGN out of your inclusive minutes from some contracts,and bolts ons.The calls are not free however cos to get those minutes you had to pay either for the bolt on or the line rental to get them.

However there might be a way round your problem.If it works from Orange. It doesnt work from T-Mob,Virgin,Easymob.
Pre-dial have an unpublished little known number 0200 222 0700 dial through number.If you can dial this out of your inclusive minutes it will allow you to call UK and Intl Freephone Numbers out of your inclusive minutes.