I was directed to this website after a chat with my brother regarding premium-rate services and 08- numbers available to me from Canada, and their cost.  This site seems like a great idea, and I wish you all the very best in your fight through what seems like an impenetrable fog. Surely the very reverse of transparency !

Now the request for help. I moved from the UK in 1980, and we're planning (yes - it's a "we" now!) on moving back to the UK next year.  Since I've been gone, of course, lots has changed, and the issue of the phone service seems the most confusing.  As you probably know, here in North America for the most part local calling from a home landline is free.  You can sign up with a long-distance carrier, which does not have to be the same phone company that provides your local service, but that's about it. Premium rate calls have to be identified as such, and you can usually tell when a particular call is going to be expensive.

When we move back to the UK, we're going to have to get a phone.  My particular beef with the 08- and 09- series numbers is that, when I phone them from here, I'm charged a lot more (I understand that's the fault of something called the TCP that's not an antiseptic) but nobody tells you up front that this is a premium rate service, although what I usually want are not premium services.  Examples of "premium rate for non-premium service" include Virgin mobile (the only way I can get in touch with them is through an 08 number) and Menzies Hotels booking line (ridiculous that one should have to pay at all, let alone a premium, to book a hotel room. North American hotels almost all have toll-free 800-class numbers.).

The quick questions are, what are my options these days, and how can I go about keeping costs as low as possible?  This seems like a very intelligent place to start that question, and any and all replies would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Nigel

Hi Nigel

I think you need to read through the site forums a little more to understand what the difference between these numbers is and what restrictions you will have on an Inclusive Plan or using 18866, 1899 (etc.)

0845 is not a Premium rate, just what we would call a Standard rate, which not many pay today.
0870 is the old National Rate, but because of the way many companies use it, most people think it should be classed as a Premium rate.
09xx are the Premium rate numbers which also have restrictions. The amount charged per minute has to be stated up front & they are not allowed to keep you on hold. Mind you, this does not stop them from spouting rubbish for ages before putting you through to the dep't you want.

The Geo contact number for Menzies Hotels 0870 6003013 you wanted is 01332 517775 (from our database).

Using a mobile service like Three would give you loads of free minutes and texts per month for peanuts.

I still recommend OneTel's Anytime plan which is currently £7.99/month for new customers, or the Evening & Weekend calls for £.99/month. If you are first recommended by a current customer (such as myself) both you and I would get a £20 credit if you take up the offer.

Any other questions, just ask & we'll see what we can do for you.