Options for diverting calls to avoid paying for missed calls

[Anonymous]

I've been browsing O2's help pages and these forum pages for ages now but can't find a simple, clear explanation of the different options for diverting calls. For example how would I divert all calls - and how do I do this while I'm currently roaming.

I saw a mention of O2 Call Alert - does that have the effect of diverting all calls AND letting you know when you've missed a call?

If I didn't want people to be able to leave a voicemail, but wanted them to hear a message asking them to send a text, how do I do that?

I'm trying to avoid the charges on my last bill whereby every time I missed a call while roaming here in the US, I not only paid for the missed incoming call but the US network then triggered a call back to the UK network, costing me ANOTHER 90p a time...

[perksie]

Is this page any help to you?

http://www.o2.co.uk/support/generalhelp ... l901abroad

and this one:

http://www.o2.co.uk/support/generalhelp ... 2callalert

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I saw that, but I still think it's ambiguous, and it doesn't actually say HOW to 'divert all calls to voicemail'... I'm trying to find out whether activating O2 Call Alert has this effect before I try it (I mean activating O2 Call Alert automatically causes all calls to be diverted.

[perksie]

I thought this bit covered it:

You can avoid these costs. Divert all calls to voicemail or switch on O2CallAlert by calling 1710 – it will send you a free text when you miss a call. When you come back to the UK, you can switch back to voicemail by calling 1750.

[Anonymous]

OK, so what do I do to divert all calls?

[perksie]

Well, according to that you dial 1710.

That turns off 901 as you can't have both, and 1710 turns it off again.

1750 turns 901 on and 1760 off.

Which calls are diverted is normally controlled from your phone, ie all, missed or out of reach, or when busy.

Try a test before you go away.

[Anonymous]

That's helpful, thanks, I 'get it' now, the only snag is I'm already away and not planning to return for several months. I was happy to pay for calls back to the UK to Voicemail 901 to pick up messages from time to time, so I didn't heed the suggestions to 'divert all calls' - and have only recently realised that while I'm roaming, I'm being charged for the missed incoming call (at varying rates, there seems to be no pattern to this part of the charge) AND another call back the UK triggered by the US network. 😞 I think I'll just try setting up Call Alert by dialing 1710 and see what happens.

[perksie]

I understand the problem, some have come home to terrifying bills.

I hope that helps you control it.

Have a good trip brownie.