I have discovered a geographic number for a dial-up ISP, instead of their 0845 number.

When I first used it with 18866 it worked fine.   However, when I tried to do so again, a couple of days later, the number was permanently engaged.

I tried 18866's customer support e-mail, but got nowhere.

The geographic number works fine without 18866, so it seems to have been blocked by 18866.

Does anyone know how to solve the problem?

I suspect it may be that 18866 have observed that there are a lot of very long calls to this number. In the end they will be losing money if a significant number of their subscribers make very long calls to that number.

They probably have a system of monitoring and when they detect a significant number of long calls to a particular number they then check what the number is. When they find that it is an isp they probably block it. Don't be too hard on them. They do have to make some profit in the end, and really you must admit that exploiting 18866 in that way to get your internet access is a bit mean!

I think it's rather more complicated than that, for technical reasons I don't understand. I can't suggest how to solve it for one particular number, but only say look for another number. I've changed number once in nine months.

I appreciate your input, but am not entirely sure that I understand what you are proposing.

Are you proposing that I should (i) use another ISP, (ii) find a different phone number for the same ISP, or (iii) use a different call provider for the same dial-up number?

If the first, then you should note that I am stuck with my present ISP, as I have a "lifetime" subscription which is fully paid up.   If (ii), then you ought to know that I had considerable difficulty getting any geographic number behind the 0845 number and, in any event, very much doubt if they have another land line.

If, however, you are suggesting that I use another call-provider, can you suggest one with a fixed (2p?) charge, for a call of an unlimited duration?

Many thanks for your interest.

Now I am puzzled.
A paid subscription and an 0845 number?
Methinks that your ISP is having too many bites at the cherry.

Before I managed to get broadband (UK slow rate narrowband in European comparison) at the office I used Tiscali's weekdaytime on an 0808 number. They then billed me if I used it in the evenings or at the weekend. Not bad for a £5er a month; more if for evening or w/e use, but it suited well.

This is a VERY old subscription - fully paid up in 1996.

There was then meant to be a local (not lo-call, ie 0845) number to use.

When they switched to 0845, I objected and eventually got a  geographic number  (0161, although I am 020), which is now fine, as national rates are now effectively the same price.

But, I can not use 18866!

Right, thank you.

Hmm, 1996? Perhaps time to keep it in reserve and move? Not sure that I can suggest much else.

[glb]This is a VERY old subscription - fully paid up in 1996.[/glb]

This may be true, and at the time might have costed a fair bit, but it's like buying a car say in 1996, it is now 2005, and what you paid for back then, has devalued considerably.

Unless you really need that old ISP, there are plenty around that will for free of charge provide a geographic number.  Although some might get caught in that trap, of not being able to be called once enough telcos ban the number, if you don't mind switching every now and then, and of course not paying any subscription fees, then it might be worth doing that, instead of sticking to the line that you paid for something which was back then, in 1996 worth something, but with evolving technology and prices, not worth anything.

I'm not saying you were ripped off back then, because the norm was to pay a fixed monthly fee, and then call charges.  Back then very few telcos offered free calls, and 0845 was cheaper than phoning a geographic number outside the local area.

I think the best idea is review what you want from your ISP, and just cut your losses.  Do you want to be stuck with a number you can't call, or would you rather look around for something else?

Shiggaddi,

It would be useful to list those that you know when you state "... there are plenty around that will for free of charge provide a geographic number.  Although some might get caught in that trap, of not being able to be called once enough telcos ban the number.....". Which free isps offer a geographic number which still works? The ones which I know which used to have a geographic number have all cut them off or they now just ring continuously and never answer.

Please inform us of any which still work, since even though many of us now have broadband it is useful to have these as a back-up in the event that our broadband is down.  

My original ISP is now mostly a backup.   It does have its uses, however, particularly to receive e-mails to the original address that cannot be redirected.

Also, I can use it at home, where I do not have broadband.

If you can't get that one working then look for another ISP - despite scepticism there are still some around as already described on other threads here.

Surely you can still receive emails by keeping that pop account in those that your email program downloads? It is only on sending when you need to have the correct server. And on some ISPs you will need to ring up once in a while - 3 or 6 months - to keep the account username alive.

OK Andy, don't keep it a secret then. Which geo numbers for free isps still work as at 13th August 2005? That is the point of this thread.

wrote on Aug 1^st, 2005 at 5:25pm:

I have discovered a geographic number for a dial-up ISP, instead of their 0845 number. When I first used it with 18866 it worked fine.   However, when I tried to do so again, a couple of days later, the number was permanently engaged. The geographic number works fine without 18866, so it seems to have been blocked by 18866.

I've had something similar with 18866.

I put a telephone on the office PABX with DDI facilities on divert to an ISP number (0845-xxxxxx). For the first couple of weeks I called it OK via 18866 with the call forwarding and my employer paying the 0845 call charges!  ;D

Then suddenly it was engaged via 18866.  :'( Calling the DDI numbers either side, via 18866, still connect OK.

Guess I had spent so long on-line that 18866 clocked my calls are long duration, rang the number and found a modem on the far end!   >:(