Calls to 0800 numbers now free on mobile phones and landlines

[Anonymous]

Freephone numbers starting with 0800 or 0808 are now free to call from mobile phones as well as landlines.

The move is part of an overhaul of phone numbers and charges planned for many months by regulator Ofcom which has now come into force.

It said the cost of so-called service numbers, starting with 084, 087, 118 or 09, had also been simplified.

But there are warnings of confusion over the exact cost of these calls and that the burden on firms may rise.

More info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33330163

and Official info here: http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/news/simpler-call-charges/

Lets hope someone told O2.

[jonsie]

All a little pointless as all the networks are free to charge youan access or connection fee.....and they all will. As said it will also come out of your minutes allowance so I will continue to use the Virgin app via my home phone or look for alternate numbers. I will definitely not be paying O2 25p......

[Toby]

Hi guys,

From 1^st July 2015, 0800 numbers are free to call from your mobile. As indicated on our special numbers page here the access charge applies to numbers beginning 084, 087, 09 & 118, but we can confirm this access charge does not apply to 0800 numbers.

[jonsie]

Ok good news indeed 

Shame the text message was written bya guru 

[perksie]

That was the way read it but it could have been clearer.

[Toby]

Hi @perksie

Which parts do you think could perhaps be worded better? I can take any suggestions or observations to the rest of the team.

[perksie]

Hi @Toby this was the text we all had:

We are changing the way we charge you

If you call 08,09 or 118 look out for how these numbers are changed from the 1st July

We'll charge 25p a minute as an access charge to connect you

It doesn't make it clear that 0800 numbers have no "access charge", which is what is causing the confusion.

It's not totally clear here either: http://www.o2.co.uk/help/everything-else/service-numbers

[Anonymous]

So O2 are still charging us for numbers that OFCOM have told us should be free?

That can't be allowed surely?

[perksie]

No, 0800 numbers are free.

[gindygoo]

Haha thought I'd been told they're totally free, but you never know lol my memory has been known to tell fibs.!

Least it's clarified now.

[Anonymous]

They are totally free, they've tweeted me this link: http://t.co/uo9tUvrjXz