Calls to 0800 numbers now free on mobile phones and landlines [ Edited ]

[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.

[Bambino]

A long time coming, and about time too.

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

Thanks @Anonymous As you say...'Lets hope someone told O2'...

[Anonymous]

Calls will be free, but .... Will they use up your airtime allowance as well (so 60 minutes on a freephone call is 60 minutes used on your calltime?).
If so, it will mean call charges to 01, 02 & 03 numbers will kick in sooner, especially as many calls to 0800 numbers tend to involve lengthy wait times on hold.

[Anonymous]

Yeah lets hope it happens very soon as I often find I need to call these numbers on my lunch break at work and so far have a couple of quid in calls added to my bill already

[MI5 Level 94: Supreme]

But there is still a 25p per minute access charge....

[gindygoo]

@MI5 I thought that had been made clear it's not applicable to the 0800 numbers?

Could @Toby clarify please?

[Anonymous]

Three saw this coming and made 0800 numbers free a while back and used it as a marketing oppertunity.

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

The text that came out to me on the 28th May stated

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

For more info visit 

http://www.ukcalling.info/

http://www.ukcalling.info/whats-happening

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

That second link tells you all about the 25p access charge....