Following a query on the "Requests" board, I've discoverd a new scam involving ISPs' 0844 numbers. A lot of them are using 0844 numbers and saying they cost the same as a local call. In fact, not only aren't these non-geographical numbers a different cost to local calls (by virtue of them not being included in call packages, etc.) they are actually more expensive than 0845 numbers, the so-called "local rate" numbers!

I don't think 0844 numbers have ever been termed "local rate", even before the nonsense with 0845 numbers started.

Some of the sites even claim it's cheaper to use their 0844 number!

Many of them use 0844 535, which is 3.95p/1p/1p (compared to 3p/1p/1p for 0845). There are many sites doing this. A quick search also found www.uk-internet-access.co.uk which uses 0844 057 0980. After digging deep into the BT price list, I found that this costs 3.95/1.49/1 so that's 1.49p/min in the evenings instead of 1p/min.

These numbers are also excluded from BT's "Friends and Family", so you can't get 10/20% off as you can with 0845.

jrawle wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2005 at 6:00pm:

Following a query on the "Requests" board, I've discoverd a new scam involving ISPs' 0844 numbers. A lot of them are using 0844 numbers and saying they cost the same as a local call. [...]

Which is correct on BT 'non-discounted' tariffs. In reality, this is the only type of tariff that charges the same for a local call and 0845. Unfortunately, only a tiny minority of people are on such tariffs, for example, the Light User Scheme.


jrawle wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2005 at 6:00pm:

I don't think 0844 numbers have ever been termed "local rate", even before the nonsense with 0845 numbers started.

No, but 0844 numbers can be charged a the local rate [on a BT 'non-discounted' tariff]. The fact that, in the real world, this linkage is nonsense doesn't matter because this is the UK market and the regulator lets providers do as they please.


jrawle wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2005 at 6:00pm:

These numbers are also excluded from BT's "Friends and Family", so you can't get 10/20% off as you can with 0845.

Refer to the 08xx prefix list. This shows that most 0844s are excluded from 'discounted' rates (on packages such as BT Together). Therefore, they are charged at 'non-discounted' ('standard') rates.

Providers can opt in or out of such retail discounts as it affects the amount of revenue that they receive.