topic Re: 0800 numbers in Pay Monthly

0800 numbers

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:45:01 GMT

Why can I not call 0800 numbers from my pay monthly phone?

I am told to remove the first 0 and try again.

I have now found I have been charged £5.40 for three phone calls to a free phone number which doesn't even come out of my minutes.

This is ridiculous, other networks either don't charge or at least take it from your minutes.

Another issue with O2, I have been with you 6 months and you have lost signal several times leaving me with a useless phone, I don't have a landline or computer so how are people suppose to get in contact with me!?

I sometimes try using wifi (including o2 wifi) with full signal strength but am told I am unable to connect, check my connectivity, and I have the same problem with mobile Internet too sometimes.

This is unacceptable when I'm paying for a 'service' every month and am tided into a contract!

Sort it out O2

Re: 0800 numbers

jonsie — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:53:12 GMT

Until O2 provide free 0800 calls your best option is this : http://www.0800buster.co.uk/

Re: 0800 numbers

Bambino — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:15:20 GMT

If you have an Android phone there is a free app called 0800 Wizard.

Re: 0800 numbers

MI5 — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:04:15 GMT

TBH it has always confused me why we get charged for calling a Free number that the owner of the number pays for the incoming calls on.....?

Re: 0800 numbers

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:17:58 GMT

...same reason we pay so much for calls abroad: we expect to pay it, so vendors will be happy to fulfil. The same goes for 0800.

Historically it cost to use the network therefore 0800 was charged at any normal call. Now we are in the era of unlimited calls, but the expectation of paying for a 08xx call has not changed, hence why we still pay it.

Re: 0800 numbers

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 22:15:37 GMT

So confused. I read that 0800 was free to mobile, you just dial 800. Now I have a huge bill. Over £6 for just one call. Why can't all this be clearer? I am fed up of being fleeced over and over again.

Re: 0800 numbers

jonsie — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 22:20:49 GMT

New regulations will be coming in to ensure 0800 numbers are free from mobiles but until then we have to use alternate numbers. Too late for your charges I'm afraid. It's criminal how the networks have been getting away with this for so long.

If you have a BT landline or Virgin there are apps that you can download which will allow you to call these numbers free, just routing the calls through your home phone.

Re: 0800 numbers

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 22:36:50 GMT

When you rang the 0800 you would have heard a recorded message advising you that the call would be chargeable. All networks do this except for 3 who already include 0800 calls in their tariffs.

However the good news is that all uk networks must adopt 0800 as free from next Summer (July i think).

Re: 0800 numbers

aldaweb — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 08:54:34 GMT

Giffgaff is also free for 0800 numbers and like O2 owned by Telefonica.

Re: 0800 numbers

MI5 — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 12:36:50 GMT

Check out some of the "SayNo" apps available across platforms to assist in finding alternate numbers that are free to dial from your mobile....

Re: 0800 numbers

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 19:31:46 GMT

If you have an apple device, this is the one I use for 0800 numbers.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/0800-wizard/id414662090?mt=8

If you're a android, I'm sure they will have apps like this.

Re: 0800 numbers

jonsie — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 00:19:42 GMT

Android...

Re: 0800 numbers

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 09:03:43 GMT

Whatever you do, do not use 0800 or 800 numbers from your O2 Mobile until the new law has past where as mobile companies are required to change their 0800 charging system (expected later on in the year I believe).

If you are going to ring an 0800/800 number, ring from your landline instead as I have just been shafted with a £15 call charge after being advised 800 number's rang specifically from an O2 Pay Monthly mobile, I will certainly be thinking twice taking my 4 contracts elsewhere.

Re: 0800 numbers

MI5 — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 09:06:21 GMT

0800 numbers have never been free from a mobile - everyone knows this, hence the rule changes and the 03 numbers that many companies now use instead.
Apps such as "saynoto 0870" etc are also popular for this very reason.

Re: 0800 numbers

jonsie — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 13:00:22 GMT

0800 Buster is also a popular app which will give you a predialled regional number to which you add the 0800 number. At least no one else will be caught out when the new rules are enforced.