0800 Numbers to be free from mobiles.....eventually!

wavejockglw · 15-04-2013, 18:06

Not before time Ofcom have decided to act to ensure that Freephone numbers will be free from both landlines and mobiles. Common sense re this issue has eventually arrived at the regulator almost 30 years after mobile operators chose to charge customers for calls to Freephone numbers!

"Ofcom is also proposing freephone 080 numbers will actually be free to call from a mobile phone.

The consultation will close on 28 May and Ofcom will publish its decision by the summer. It said any changes to how telephone numbers are charged are a 'fundamental restructuring' of the current model and would take around 18 months to implement."

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/News/24...m_numbers.aspx

jabbamk1 · 15-04-2013, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavejockglw

and would take around 18 months to implement."

grrrrrrrrrrr

wavejockglw · 15-04-2013, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

grrrrrrrrrrr

There is a consultation so rather than grrrrrrrrrrr :mad - make known your feelings to the regulator. It's just an e-mail and everyone has the right to make known their feelings.

The mobile operators have for too many years been making huge profits from their charges for Freephone numbers. They probably now carry more voice traffic than landlines and every advert carries warnings about this nonsense but all the mobile operators shrug it off and keep charging. Just as well there is Ofcom and the EU to prevent their greed agenda.

purple bunny · 15-04-2013, 19:32

yet again....let's talk about it for soooo long that NOTHING GETS DONE but we still manage to spend millions. 0800 & 0845 no's should @ least be within your tarrif (p.a.y.g.) every man & his dog are using 0845, but they are never included in your "bundle" DISGRACEFULL.

Thine Wonk · 15-04-2013, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by purple bunny

yet again....let's talk about it for soooo long that NOTHING GETS DONE but we still manage to spend millions. 0800 & 0845 no's should @ least be within your tarrif (p.a.y.g.) every man & his dog are using 0845, but they are never included in your "bundle" DISGRACEFULL.

You do realise that these numbers earn money for the company that uses them and that they get paid? How can the mobile operator make them free if they have to pay a per minute cost which goes to the operator of the 0845's.

Nick_London · 15-04-2013, 22:00

It won't happen.

Payphone companies receive revenue (Payphone Access charge) 19p per minute for 0500,0800 and 0808 calls and free access from mobiles will harm the usage even further. It is Ofcoms priority to keep payphones viable as they are vital at times and believe it or not many people make at least one chargeable call a year still. BT will request tax payers money for kiosks with low usage that do not have any paid advertising on the kiosks. By law, many kiosks cannot be removed. The non-BT kiosks such as Arqiva's formerly Spectrum Interactive also receive Payphone Access charge but do not operate under the Universal service conditions and do not receive public funding. Both BT and Arqiva are rolling out Wifi to many telephone boxes.

Mobile networks can and will block all calls to 0500,0800 and 0808 numbers except Childline.

They expect mobile networks to invest in 3G and 4G yet Ofcom makes it difficult for them to actually make any money.

plymouthbloke1974 · 15-04-2013, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick_London

It won't happen.

Payphone companies receive revenue (Payphone Access charge) 19p per minute for 0500,0800 and 0808 calls and free access from mobiles will harm the usage even further. It is Ofcoms priority to keep payphones viable as they are vital at times and believe it or not many people make at least one chargeable call a year still. BT will request tax payers money for kiosks with low usage that do not have any paid advertising on the kiosks. By law, many kiosks cannot be removed. The non-BT kiosks such as Arqiva's formerly Spectrum Interactive also receive Payphone Access charge but do not operate under the Universal service conditions and do not receive public funding. Both BT and Arqiva are rolling out Wifi to many telephone boxes.

Mobile networks can and will block all calls to 0500,0800 and 0808 numbers except Childline.

They expect mobile networks to invest in 3G and 4G yet Ofcom makes it difficult for them to actually make any money.

Tosh.

0800 will never be blocked from a mobile. They could do it now if they wanted but imagine the PR backlash.

Mobile operators make a minuscule amount for connecting 0800 calls, but nowhere near as much as the standard interconnect fees, which is why they charge.

If 0800 becomes free, expect other charges to rise by 1-2p/min or text to compensate.

If you've got any sense you are either already using 0800Buster or an app on your smartphone that also finds alternatives to 0870/0845/0844 etc

Lidtop2013 · 15-04-2013, 22:33

Or just use a landline for those numbers....... Lol

FBI · 15-04-2013, 22:35

Already free on Giffgaff

DevonBloke · 15-04-2013, 22:44

For iPhone (and I assume Android but haven't checked) you can use this
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/0800...414662090?mt=8
All you have to do is remember to use the app to dial an 0800, 0808 or 0500 number. Totally free via this FREE app. Simples!

plymouthbloke1974 · 15-04-2013, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

For iPhone (and I assume Android but haven't checked) you can use this
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/0800...414662090?mt=8
All you have to do is remember to use the app to dial an 0800, 0808 or 0500 number. Totally free via this FREE app. Simples!

If you pay 69p for their full app (called just "08 Wizard") that does all 08 numbers, not just free phone ones.

Much better IMO

DevonBloke · 15-04-2013, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

If you pay 69p for their full app (called just "08 Wizard") that does all 08 numbers, not just free phone ones.

Much better IMO

Yeah, I didn't mention it because the reviews are a bit negative. Appears to not work with all 08 numbers but I haven't tried it. Have you? Does it work with most 0845 numbers for example.

The 0800 (0800, 0808 & 0500) wizard app certainly works all the time. Or it has for me anyway.

alanwarwic · 15-04-2013, 23:44

Some strange sounding figures being quoted in this thread.

What I do note is that in the mobile age, I often think 0845 and such like numbers are maybe often used to actually discourage calls !!!

Daveoc64 · 16-04-2013, 01:45

Call me skeptical about it only taking "18 months":

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1641060

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1648160

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1752401

flagpole · 16-04-2013, 08:55

http://www.0800buster.co.uk/

allows you to call 0800 for free.

plymouthbloke1974 · 16-04-2013, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Yeah, I didn't mention it because the reviews are a bit negative. Appears to not work with all 08 numbers but I haven't tried it. Have you? Does it work with most 0845 numbers for example.

The 0800 (0800, 0808 & 0500) wizard app certainly works all the time. Or it has for me anyway.

The 0800 wizard will always work as that is a callthrough service that translates into a landline number.

08 wizard uses a database for 0870/0845/0871/0844 etc in addition to the above. If you put in a 08xx number that isn't in the list, you can also search by company name, which usually comes up trumps.

I have it and use it regularly

Orbitalzone · 16-04-2013, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

Some strange sounding figures being quoted in this thread.

What I do note is that in the mobile age, I often think 0845 and such like numbers are maybe often used to actually discourage calls !!!

Yes I'd agree with that....rather than call an 0845 number from a mobile, I, like many people I suspect, will search out a non 0845 version using 'say no to 0870' app.

gomezz · 16-04-2013, 09:40

0800 numbers are "free" on my mobile. At least they come out of my monthly minutes which are always much more than enough for my needs.

Everything Goes · 16-04-2013, 10:06

Ofcom have been thinking about this for a while now. There are a few threads on this subject. Once upon a time 0800 calls were free from mobiles if I recall correctly.

Resonance · 16-04-2013, 14:02

They used to be free on Orange quite a few years ago I seem to remember. Might have only been on contract though?

wavejockglw · 16-04-2013, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBI

Already free on Giffgaff

Yes and that has been the case for a long time. Very welcome!

www.0800buster.co.uk

Just learned about this and will add it to my contacts list as Vodafone charge for 0800's presently. What a brilliant service to allow you to use an 03 number to call 0800's for free with your inclusive allowance. Many thanks for pointing this easy to use service out!

If you have a computer and don't like paying premium rates for calls to 0844's etc you can use the database at www.saynoto0870.com to get an alternative geographic number for many major companies.

alanwarwic · 16-04-2013, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

Mobile operators make a minuscule amount for connecting 0800 calls

They actually make money and then charge some more on top.

Thus by calling a landline buster service the buster service makes the extra money, whilst the user has already pre-paid via their 1000 min contract allowance.

Thus it looks like there has never been any logical reason why 0800 cannot be free, or on your contract allowance at worst.

Step666 · 16-04-2013, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

Thus it looks like there has never been any logical reason why 0800 cannot be free, or on your contract allowance at worst.

The story I heard a number of years back was that free calls to 0800 numbers were being used for pre-paid calling card services for cheap international calls, back in the days before specialist MVNOs cropped up.
So, apparently, the networks chose to stop offering free 0800 calls as they didn't like being used so other companies could make money.

Not sure if it's true but it would make a certain amount of sense.

plymouthbloke1974 · 16-04-2013, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Step666

The story I heard a number of years back was that free calls to 0800 numbers were being used for pre-paid calling card services for cheap international calls, back in the days before specialist MVNOs cropped up.
So, apparently, the networks chose to stop offering free 0800 calls as they didn't like being used so other companies could make money.

Not sure if it's true but it would make a certain amount of sense.

Correct. Orange and one2one used to identify known calling card numbers and charge for them with a warning message placed. The companies simply issued new 0800 numbers and the cat and mouse game continued. Until the two networks said enough was enough.

DevonBloke · 16-04-2013, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

The 0800 wizard will always work as that is a callthrough service that translates into a landline number.

08 wizard uses a database for 0870/0845/0871/0844 etc in addition to the above. If you put in a 08xx number that isn't in the list, you can also search by company name, which usually comes up trumps.

I have it and use it regularly

That would explain the negative reviews then. F***wits not understanding how it works. I shall spend some money and try it out. Thanks.

15-04-2013, 18:06	#1
wavejockglw Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 10,276	0800 Numbers to be free from mobiles.....eventually! Not before time Ofcom have decided to act to ensure that Freephone numbers will be free from both landlines and mobiles. Common sense re this issue has eventually arrived at the regulator almost 30 years after mobile operators chose to charge customers for calls to Freephone numbers! "Ofcom is also proposing freephone 080 numbers will actually be free to call from a mobile phone. The consultation will close on 28 May and Ofcom will publish its decision by the summer. It said any changes to how telephone numbers are charged are a 'fundamental restructuring' of the current model and would take around 18 months to implement." http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/News/24...m_numbers.aspx

15-04-2013, 22:00	#6
Nick_London Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 485	0800 It won't happen. Payphone companies receive revenue (Payphone Access charge) 19p per minute for 0500,0800 and 0808 calls and free access from mobiles will harm the usage even further. It is Ofcoms priority to keep payphones viable as they are vital at times and believe it or not many people make at least one chargeable call a year still. BT will request tax payers money for kiosks with low usage that do not have any paid advertising on the kiosks. By law, many kiosks cannot be removed. The non-BT kiosks such as Arqiva's formerly Spectrum Interactive also receive Payphone Access charge but do not operate under the Universal service conditions and do not receive public funding. Both BT and Arqiva are rolling out Wifi to many telephone boxes. Mobile networks can and will block all calls to 0500,0800 and 0808 numbers except Childline. They expect mobile networks to invest in 3G and 4G yet Ofcom makes it difficult for them to actually make any money.

15-04-2013, 18:29	#2
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by wavejockglw and would take around 18 months to implement." grrrrrrrrrrr

15-04-2013, 18:35	#3
wavejockglw Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 10,276	Quote: Originally Posted by jabbamk1 grrrrrrrrrrr There is a consultation so rather than grrrrrrrrrrr :mad - make known your feelings to the regulator. It's just an e-mail and everyone has the right to make known their feelings. The mobile operators have for too many years been making huge profits from their charges for Freephone numbers. They probably now carry more voice traffic than landlines and every advert carries warnings about this nonsense but all the mobile operators shrug it off and keep charging. Just as well there is Ofcom and the EU to prevent their greed agenda.

15-04-2013, 19:32	#4
purple bunny Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,853	yet again....let's talk about it for soooo long that NOTHING GETS DONE but we still manage to spend millions. 0800 & 0845 no's should @ least be within your tarrif (p.a.y.g.) every man & his dog are using 0845, but they are never included in your "bundle" DISGRACEFULL.

15-04-2013, 21:46	#5
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	Quote: Originally Posted by purple bunny yet again....let's talk about it for soooo long that NOTHING GETS DONE but we still manage to spend millions. 0800 & 0845 no's should @ least be within your tarrif (p.a.y.g.) every man & his dog are using 0845, but they are never included in your "bundle" DISGRACEFULL. You do realise that these numbers earn money for the company that uses them and that they get paid? How can the mobile operator make them free if they have to pay a per minute cost which goes to the operator of the 0845's.

15-04-2013, 22:10	#7
plymouthbloke1974 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Destination: Hard Brexit Posts: 6,368	Quote: Originally Posted by Nick_London It won't happen. Payphone companies receive revenue (Payphone Access charge) 19p per minute for 0500,0800 and 0808 calls and free access from mobiles will harm the usage even further. It is Ofcoms priority to keep payphones viable as they are vital at times and believe it or not many people make at least one chargeable call a year still. BT will request tax payers money for kiosks with low usage that do not have any paid advertising on the kiosks. By law, many kiosks cannot be removed. The non-BT kiosks such as Arqiva's formerly Spectrum Interactive also receive Payphone Access charge but do not operate under the Universal service conditions and do not receive public funding. Both BT and Arqiva are rolling out Wifi to many telephone boxes. Mobile networks can and will block all calls to 0500,0800 and 0808 numbers except Childline. They expect mobile networks to invest in 3G and 4G yet Ofcom makes it difficult for them to actually make any money. Tosh. 0800 will never be blocked from a mobile. They could do it now if they wanted but imagine the PR backlash. Mobile operators make a minuscule amount for connecting 0800 calls, but nowhere near as much as the standard interconnect fees, which is why they charge. If 0800 becomes free, expect other charges to rise by 1-2p/min or text to compensate. If you've got any sense you are either already using 0800Buster or an app on your smartphone that also finds alternatives to 0870/0845/0844 etc

15-04-2013, 22:33	#8
Lidtop2013 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Midlands Posts: 2,450	Or just use a landline for those numbers....... Lol

15-04-2013, 22:35	#9
FBI Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 569	Already free on Giffgaff

15-04-2013, 22:44	#10
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	For iPhone (and I assume Android but haven't checked) you can use this https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/0800...414662090?mt=8 All you have to do is remember to use the app to dial an 0800, 0808 or 0500 number. Totally free via this FREE app. Simples!

15-04-2013, 23:00	#11
plymouthbloke1974 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Destination: Hard Brexit Posts: 6,368	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke For iPhone (and I assume Android but haven't checked) you can use this https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/0800...414662090?mt=8 All you have to do is remember to use the app to dial an 0800, 0808 or 0500 number. Totally free via this FREE app. Simples! If you pay 69p for their full app (called just "08 Wizard") that does all 08 numbers, not just free phone ones. Much better IMO

15-04-2013, 23:27	#12
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974 If you pay 69p for their full app (called just "08 Wizard") that does all 08 numbers, not just free phone ones. Much better IMO Yeah, I didn't mention it because the reviews are a bit negative. Appears to not work with all 08 numbers but I haven't tried it. Have you? Does it work with most 0845 numbers for example. The 0800 (0800, 0808 & 0500) wizard app certainly works all the time. Or it has for me anyway.

15-04-2013, 23:44	#13
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	Some strange sounding figures being quoted in this thread. What I do note is that in the mobile age, I often think 0845 and such like numbers are maybe often used to actually discourage calls !!!

16-04-2013, 01:45	#14
Daveoc64 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol (BBC1 West) Posts: 15,143	Call me skeptical about it only taking "18 months": http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1641060 http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1648160 http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1752401

16-04-2013, 08:55	#15
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	http://www.0800buster.co.uk/ allows you to call 0800 for free.

16-04-2013, 09:36	#16
plymouthbloke1974 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Destination: Hard Brexit Posts: 6,368	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Yeah, I didn't mention it because the reviews are a bit negative. Appears to not work with all 08 numbers but I haven't tried it. Have you? Does it work with most 0845 numbers for example. The 0800 (0800, 0808 & 0500) wizard app certainly works all the time. Or it has for me anyway. The 0800 wizard will always work as that is a callthrough service that translates into a landline number. 08 wizard uses a database for 0870/0845/0871/0844 etc in addition to the above. If you put in a 08xx number that isn't in the list, you can also search by company name, which usually comes up trumps. I have it and use it regularly

16-04-2013, 09:38	#17
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	Quote: Originally Posted by alanwarwic Some strange sounding figures being quoted in this thread. What I do note is that in the mobile age, I often think 0845 and such like numbers are maybe often used to actually discourage calls !!! Yes I'd agree with that....rather than call an 0845 number from a mobile, I, like many people I suspect, will search out a non 0845 version using 'say no to 0870' app.

16-04-2013, 09:40	#18
gomezz Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Buckingham Posts: 28,590	0800 numbers are "free" on my mobile. At least they come out of my monthly minutes which are always much more than enough for my needs.

16-04-2013, 10:06	#19
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Ofcom have been thinking about this for a while now. There are a few threads on this subject. Once upon a time 0800 calls were free from mobiles if I recall correctly.

16-04-2013, 14:02	#20
Resonance Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 9,212	They used to be free on Orange quite a few years ago I seem to remember. Might have only been on contract though?

16-04-2013, 16:23	#21
wavejockglw Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 10,276	Quote: Originally Posted by FBI Already free on Giffgaff Yes and that has been the case for a long time. Very welcome! www.0800buster.co.uk Just learned about this and will add it to my contacts list as Vodafone charge for 0800's presently. What a brilliant service to allow you to use an 03 number to call 0800's for free with your inclusive allowance. Many thanks for pointing this easy to use service out! If you have a computer and don't like paying premium rates for calls to 0844's etc you can use the database at www.saynoto0870.com to get an alternative geographic number for many major companies.

16-04-2013, 16:33	#22
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	Quote: Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974 Mobile operators make a minuscule amount for connecting 0800 calls They actually make money and then charge some more on top. Thus by calling a landline buster service the buster service makes the extra money, whilst the user has already pre-paid via their 1000 min contract allowance. Thus it looks like there has never been any logical reason why 0800 cannot be free, or on your contract allowance at worst.

DS Forums

0800 Numbers to be free from mobiles.....eventually!

16-04-2013, 21:43	#23
Step666 Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,274	Quote: Originally Posted by alanwarwic Thus it looks like there has never been any logical reason why 0800 cannot be free, or on your contract allowance at worst. The story I heard a number of years back was that free calls to 0800 numbers were being used for pre-paid calling card services for cheap international calls, back in the days before specialist MVNOs cropped up. So, apparently, the networks chose to stop offering free 0800 calls as they didn't like being used so other companies could make money. Not sure if it's true but it would make a certain amount of sense.

16-04-2013, 21:52	#24
plymouthbloke1974 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Destination: Hard Brexit Posts: 6,368	Quote: Originally Posted by Step666 The story I heard a number of years back was that free calls to 0800 numbers were being used for pre-paid calling card services for cheap international calls, back in the days before specialist MVNOs cropped up. So, apparently, the networks chose to stop offering free 0800 calls as they didn't like being used so other companies could make money. Not sure if it's true but it would make a certain amount of sense. Correct. Orange and one2one used to identify known calling card numbers and charge for them with a warning message placed. The companies simply issued new 0800 numbers and the cat and mouse game continued. Until the two networks said enough was enough.

16-04-2013, 22:54	#25
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974 The 0800 wizard will always work as that is a callthrough service that translates into a landline number. 08 wizard uses a database for 0870/0845/0871/0844 etc in addition to the above. If you put in a 08xx number that isn't in the list, you can also search by company name, which usually comes up trumps. I have it and use it regularly That would explain the negative reviews then. F***wits not understanding how it works. I shall spend some money and try it out. Thanks.