0800 - 20p a minute - no such thing as a free lunch

thor

weegie.geek wrote: »

It's not the provider that charges for them though, it's the network you're calling from. The numbers are free to call, you just choose to call them via a service that charges for them.

I think most people already know that. I certainly did and for that reason have never called them from my mobile.

weegie.geek wrote: »

What is universally free anyway? Should they be free from abroad as well?

I stand by my assertion that any number that can be charged(at anytime or from anywhere) should not be known as a freephone number. In fact it it is quite an absurd name to give if the number provider cannot get all line carriers to give this guarantee. Of course this would mean there would not be any real freephone numbers around but at least it will be more truthful. They should stick to using the term '0800 number' as then people will not automatically assume that they will not be charged.

Ypaymore

alnsv1000s wrote: »

Just be careful when calling these numbers as they may be classed as Gateway numbers and can get charged at higher rates out of your allowance than the freephone number you were trying to Bypass. Dial at your own risk.....:rolleyes:

They are normal geographic numbers, and will either come out of your inclusive minutes,or will be charged at the appropriate rate for calling 01/02/03 numbers.

Code:020 0222 Area:London Operator:MagratheaTariff Band:National (inc VAT)Service:Geographic

If one of them is not recognised from your mobile the other usually is.

weegie.geek

thor wrote: »

I think most people already know that. I certainly did and for that reason have never called them from my mobile.

I stand by my assertion that any number that can be charged(at anytime or from anywhere) should not be known as a freephone number. In fact it it is quite an absurd name to give if the number provider cannot get all line carriers to give this guarantee. Of course this would mean there would not be any real freephone numbers around but at least it will be more truthful. They should stick to using the term '0800 number' as then people will not automatically assume that they will not be charged.

0800 is synonymous with free though. You could call it that and it'd still catch as many people out. Having said that, I'm sure O2 tell you it's not free before it connects the call. Might've imagined that, and my O2 phone's battery's flat just now so I can't check.

If all 0800 numbers were free from mobiles people would just use calling cards/pots-to-voip to get their calls cheaper. A blacklist wouldn't work because the calling card providers can change the numbers around pretty quickly.

I think Virgin have the right idea with the whitelist, but it should be expanded to include things like the job centre, benefits agencies and nhs direct.

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thor

weegie.geek wrote: »

0800 is synonymous with free though. You could call it that and it'd still catch as many people out.

That is only because 0800 numbers are always called freephone. After a while I am sure that the association will weaken if there were less references to freephone numbers. Look at how we have been manipulated into calling firemen 'firefighters' so easily(not me though:D)

jamesn77qs

there is a message saying the 0800 call is not free, i understand that and why they need to do it.
What i dont understand is why it cant be included in the inclusive minutes. After all you can reroute a geographic number anyhow.