Charged to call the police (101) despite Unlimited Tariff

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's common knowledge to some, but it was a surprise to me.

I was trying to be a good citizen and recently called 101 to report some anti-social behaviour to the police. I just received my bill and O2 charged me 12ppm for the call. Do they charge the same for 999?

I guess their Unlimited Calling plan should be renamed Unlimited* Calling

*O2 reserves the right to change the definition of the word Unlimited

[Anonymous]

I got chraged for 0800 numbrs too <grrrr>

[Anonymous]

Taken from the police.co.uk website:

"What does it cost to call 101?

Calls to 101 (from both landlines and mobile networks) cost 15 pence per call, no matter what time of day you call, or how long you are on the phone.

Why does it cost 15p to call 101?

The 15p cost of the call goes to the telephony providers to cover the cost of carrying the calls. The police and government receive no money from calls to 101.

Everyone calling the police for non-emergency matters now knows exactly how much a call will cost them, and can be assured of equal access whether they are on a pay-as-you-go mobile or a home landline."

So it looks like somethign that is standardised across all networks no matter what phone or tarrif you use to call, a call to 101 will always 15p so there is no confusion.

I was surprised to find its chargeable though to be honest!

[japitts]

http://www.0800buster.co.uk/ to make 0800 calls inclusive...

[Anonymous]

Last time I checked, 999 is free, even on PAYG mobiles with no credit left.

[Anonymous]

Money well spent if you've helped someone dont you think.

Apps are available that convert some 0800 etc numbers to alternative ones that then become part of your inclusive minutes.

999 is free.

[perksie]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Last time I checked, 999 is free, even on PAYG mobiles with no credit left.

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I hope you didn't waste their time with test calls to the emergency services!

[Anonymous]

Sadly many do thinking its funny or they have some kind of adrenalin rush when the emergency services attend.

It's nice when I see a person getting the weight of the law thrown at them when they are caught.

[adamtemp64 · Accepted solution]

(breaks silence for clarity and to avoid charges on bill)

http://www.o2.co.uk/support/generalhelp/howdoi/specialnumbers explains it all.

Only 0800 etc listed on this page below linked to on the special numbers page are free http://www.o2.co.uk/support/generalhelp/howdoi/freenumbers

101 replaced the old 0845 numbers the police forces used  for non emergency so 15p a call works out a lot cheaper.

(goes back into silent mode)

[Anonymous]

Only cheaper in some regions in London I still have an 0207 number for the police which IS included in my minutes if they ever stop that they can forget help from me it will be 999 or nothing