Access charge

[Speccy]

I've had a txt from O2 system nag 08 numbers will be charged an access fee of 25 p when it comes in soon that 08 numbers are free. Does this mean dialling a freefone 0800 number will incur a 25 p charge? Tried the live chat & no use at all!

[Anonymous]

  I agree and I've raised with HLC and we think they were trying to put all the important information in, but there's only so much you can squeeze into an sms and the result was this, but the charges on the Ofcom website are clear and hopefully people will use it if they are not sure.

  As for all 08 numbers, that for the time being,is not going to happen.

  The change on 0800 numbers is fair, not only because not all people still have landlines but there are situations where you cant access a landline. About 3 years ago I was a good example of that: car broke down, had to call roadside assistance. Rush hour, 20 minutes to get trough to somebody, guess what type of number I was dialling?? I was in a motorway, couldn't just go looking for a landline to dial an 0800 number....

   As for 0845/0870/0844 , most Government services/gas/electric,etc  now offer 0300xxxxx as an alternative to those numbers, it will only be smaller Businesses that will have them.

[Cleoriff]

Indeed...but it is a shame that these alternative numbers 03 etc  aren't freely accessible. Most requiire a google search. However... none of this affects me too much as I do have a landline. My initial concern was the ambiguity of the text I received

Edited to add @Anonymous I was really referring to @MI5's post ( 22) where he stated giffgaff and Three do many free 08 calls

[jonsie]

It doesn't affect me as I will always search for an alternate number or use the overseas number but a 25p connection charge is to me unethical. 

[Anonymous]

@jonsie wrote:

"It doesn't affect me as I will always search for an alternate number or use the overseas number but a 25p connection charge is to me unethical."

The overseas number on your bank card was always an obvious workaround

But there's going to be less need to dial 0845 & 0870 numbers in future, as more companies start embracing these changes. And when calls to freephone numbers are also made free, our landlines will finally be rendered useless

[Cleoriff]

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@Anonymous wrote:



But there's going to be less need to dial 0845 & 0870 numbers in future, as more companies start embracing these changes. And when calls to freephone numbers are also made free, our landlines will finally be rendered useless

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Oh no don't say that @Anonymous I have landlines all over my house....

[jonsie]

Never be redundant when the broadband suppliers insist you have one. Mine is only used for the odd i/c call and rare 0800 numbers.

[MI5]

There is nothing ethical about 25p a min.
A one off 25p would still be irritating, but not so bad. I'll stick with "SayNo" or use my Three sim thanks very much.

[Anonymous]

isnt this 25p a price increase? current per minute prices are here http://www.o2.co.uk/help/everything-else/special-numbers

[Anonymous]

I have now logged a complaint with both Ofcom & o2 I spend over £10 a month to these 08 numbers - not all are listed on that yellow website & in an emergency I dont have time to look for an alternative.

[perksie]

I would imagine the changes were made with the full agreement of Ofcom as explained here: http://media.ofcom.org.uk/news/2013/Telephone-call-charges-to-be-made-simpler/

In fact it was Ofcom who brought in these changes.