Hi everyone,

just wondered if I can get any insight into this...I use a call card to ring my mate in Ghana -Orange say that they are going to charge me 20p a minute to ring the number even though my contract clearly states I have all 01 and 02 numbers free and unlimited.

Does this sound fair?  Do they have the right to do this? -Ofcom haven't been too helpful and suggestions.

Surely 01 & 02 numbers are only for calls in the U.K.?

You can call certain numbers and they forward your call so in effect I am calling the UK...

Orange now charge for calls to calling card numbers irrespective of whether they are geographical 01/02 or non geographical. They sent a text out about this some time ago.

I wonder whether that also applies to the 020 gateway numbers available for accessing 1899, 18185 and 18866?

I never got the text and the question I am asking is whether it is a rip off and do people think it counts as a breach of contract?

Probably not, since if someone else had received the text, you have probably been notified about it. I guess they also expect people to check the terms and conditions every so often.

I found this thread here http://forum.niftylist.co.uk/index.php?topic=3301.0 on the subject where someone else did not get a text but they had to pay because it was covered by the T&C.

Thanks Old Harry you do indeed ROCK!

I still think I'm being ripped off and unfairly treated.  When I took out the contract if I had known this I would have thought twice and for £45 a month I think I should be allowed the odd call to Ghana!  Goodness me!  Still the joke's on them because at 20p a minute I still save as Orange charge 90p a minute to ring Ghana.

It's just greed.  >:(

I have been known to. ;D

If you subscribe to  http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php  i understand that Orange are not chargeing for calls to their 020 access number so you can reach Ghana cheaper then 20p !!!!

With regards Oranging texting you the details of the new charges re: your call card and calls made to Orange, you ought to try and claim something back from them,
I am on Dolphin £35 18 months, have been with them for years, so they reduced it to £30 and apparently £5.00 of this was to go on the net!

I wasn't told about thi when I signed up, but they reckon the sent me a text sometime ago.

I said the following
" In a day and age when we are constantly being told to delete unwanted text messages, never give out information via text or phone to unsolicited callers and to be ever vigilant about identity fraud I find it frustrating that I am now being communicated with by insecure method- texting.

Not only is texting insecure, it is also very unprofessional to contact customers this way, especially when it concerns payment, or service changes.

I regularly get unwanted text messages from services I have not subscribed too. If Orange did as they said, and sent me a message, it is likely that along with the other junk messages, it was deleted.

I expected a refund of all charges made to my account regarding this text - £5.00 per month for 6 month"

Orange credited my account with £160!

This was due to the overcharge via text mesage and because the deal I was offered at the start of my contract had not been fulfilled.

I was offered the following:
Samsung phone
£35 dolphin - £5 monthly loyalty
Upgraded memory card
solar hands free blue tooth kit.

The accessories still to this date have never arrived.
I told orange they were breaking the contract and they tried to argue that the accessories were not part of the contract!

Rubbish.
- basic contract law

They offered a

Samsung phone
£35 dolphin - £5 monthly loyalty
Upgraded memory card
solar hands free blue tooth kit.
unlimited text
600 anytime any network mins
+ unlimited calls at weekends

For this the price was £30 per month for 18 month.

I accepted.

If they fail to deliver the contract is broken, similarly if I fail to pay the contract is broken- which in this instance they would take me to court for the return of the items, plus 18 months outstanding monies.

So, shoe on the other foot, if they break the contract, I take them to court for the items promised.
Of course what this really means is that I am entitled to these items and if not they can compensate me.

Hence the £160.

Always a good thing to know your rights