I signed up with the 3 network last March and after a few bills I realised id been had over the extra costs incurred with their dodgy tarriffs. Come 15th of August I will be handing my month notice to them and will not take up any other contract with them or anyone else for that matter. They are just one big con, OK if you use it for buisness purposes.

This applies to any mobile contract to which I find a total rip off, you are billed outwith your normal allowances. The following is a copy of the smallprint, you should always read it carefully otherwise your monthly payments might hike up without you noticing.


Inclusive minutes can be used for calls to standard UK landlines (starting 01, 02 or 03) and all UK network mobiles. It excludes calls to non-geographic numbers (starting 05, 08), 07744 and 07755 numbers and premium rate (09) numbers.

Any time you phone a call centre, these numbers apply!

I've never had a 3 contract so I don't know. But surely they must have a speed dial from the handset that is free of charge to call?

As for the above numbers being excluded unfortunately thats the way it is now for the Big 5 mobile companies, unless someone else knows any different.

I don't think it's a con in that most people knew that. I certainly don't remember a time when you could ring those excluded numbers from your call allowance.

Most marketing I've seen has been quite clear about that, especially from 3. The mobile networks do exclude those 07744 and 07755 numbers now as they were being manipulated to allow you to ring internationally for free (within your allowance).

Calling the network themselves is usually free using numbers like 150.

That's why 0845 numbers which are increasingly common I always dial from a landline to get the local call rate. and why would you want to ring a premium number?

@Justin Case, you say all contracts are a con. Why? The charges are clearly displayed. Is it a con that you didn't read them?
You seem to be upset because you assumed these non-geographic numbers were included and they are not.
I wonder what other things you have missed by not understanding your chosen contract before comitting yourself.

It was not explained to me that those numbers were to be excluded when I took out the contract, when they said so many minutes call allowance, I expected accross the board calls in the contract. I was sucked in by the sales pitch as most people are. They should get the rap for not explaining the small print.

do you sign everything thats put in front of you without reading it?

Its never a good idea to commit yourself to anything without checking what you are getting into. I could understand if it was some obscure condition which was hidden away in minuscule print. But the mobile networks all publish tables of call costs.

LOL i knew about calling those numbers before i signed up. You cant expect free minutes to pay for 0845 numbers anyway! Read the terms and conditions next time. It's no ones fault but YOURS.

out of interest, are any personal mobile numbers 07744 and 07755?

I'm sure those numbers are reserved for calling services and "follow-me" numbers.

How very silly.

The 07744 & 07755 are numbers that are used to give you international calls using your xnetwork minutes. It appears only Virgin let you use these numbers now.

You can contact Three from your phone by entering 333.

You can find alternative geographic phone numbers for some of the major companies i.e. not their 0870 numbers at this website:

http://www.saynoto0870.com/

Can you not use Skype for your international calls on your Three phone?

A basic web search on Google turned up other providers who claim they give the same service using your xnetwork minutes either for free or reduced costs. Try a web search but remember to ask your provider if you will be charged for using these numbers.

what's a "follow-me" number?

Ignorance is no defence in the eyes of the law. And neither is shifting responsibility.

So you screwed up? Just admit that and move on. Did you also expect international numbers to be included? Cos I'm almost certain they didn't tell you they were excluded.

I don't think you can get them anymore. Callers to your personal number would be put through to whatever phone you were using. It was handy, but the caller paid a much higher rate and it was difficult for the caller to distinguish between mobile and follow-me.

Virgin charge for these numbers