Having found (via this site) the alternative to 0845 6059959 (Halifax car ins) to 0800 1836836,this is fine, but orange charge for 0800 numbers, is there anyone that can re-convert to a regional number so it comes within free minutes allowance please.

If you use one of the SF 07744 access numbers eg 07744 97 4116 , 44O4 etc.etc they allow  you to call 0845/0870/0800/0808 numbers out of your Orange  contract x-net minutes .

Also these little known pre-dial  dial through numbers 0200 222 0700 or 0200 222 0900 allow you to call 0800/0808  numbers.(Just freephone nowt else) I dont know if they work on Orange,but the 07744 ones do.

Because I need to ensure my daughter understands this, if using her orange phone she dials 07744 0800 1836836 she will not be charged?. and should anyone else confirm any of the other numbers you mention, will use them also.

I've been into Halifax Bank today, and made the observation regarding "hearing, understanding indian dialect, and their 0845 number, and the fact that 0800 is chargeable on mobiles", I received a pleasent smile!. Clearly they didn't want to get drawn on the matter.

islandman wrote on Feb 11^th, 2006 at 3:34pm:

... using her orange phone she dials 07744 0800 1836836 ...

NO!  She dials IN FULL one of the 0744 numbers quoted by BJ (e.g. 07744 97 4116), then she may have to wait for an announcement / instructions (?), before dialling the 0800 number.

(I have no knowledge of the 0744 numbers - I'm merely interpreting BJ's instructions.)

BJ, what's "SF" as in "SF 07744 access numbers", please?

bigjohn wrote on Feb 11^th, 2006 at 11:30am:

Also these little known pre-dial  dial through numbers 0200 222 0700 or 0200 222 0900 allow you to call 0800/0808  numbers.(Just freephone nowt else) I dont know if they work on Orange,but the 07744 ones do.

I'd be interested to know if those numbers do work on Orange. They are actually "national dialling only" numbers with a London area code (e.g. 020 0222 0600). I know only too well that BT don't allow these to be dialled directly, although as I interpret the rules I think they should. I'll try them later.

Orange do seem to allow this sort of number. I have experience of an 0116 0 number owned by NTL, who seem to carry calls for Orange, and it can be dialled from Orange mobiles. I'd like to know if it's because of the NTL connection, or simply because Orange allow calls to these numbers... then I can go back and have another go at BT!

Both the sets of numbers i have mentioned are dial through numbers that you can use from your mobile

.Just dial the original numbers i mentioned EG. 07744 97 4116/4404 or 020 022 2700/2900.Your then get a recorded announcement which invites you to dial your target number eg 0845/0870/0800  xxx xxxx. Both calls would come out of your inclusive x-net minutes.

So she would dial 07744 97 4116 wait for prompt and then dial 0800 1 836836 and would get through.The call would be taken out of her  Orange inclusive x-net minutes. To use the 07744 ones you must have X-NET INCLUSIVE MINUTES .Only Orange and O2,and Virgin Contracts dont charge you to call them from your x-net minutes.Dont use them from other networks as they charge.

I have tried 020 022 2700 and it does work from my Orange Contract Phone.

SF stands for Simply Fone a provider of these  07744 numbers.Their are many in play.But not all allow you to call NGN  numbers.The two i use,i saw   mentioned on the
MSE Site some time ago and i have been using them successfully  for a few months now.