I know it is hard to believe, but I can't get over the fact that an NHS doctor has got an 0870 number.  They are earning money from patients calling them.

The number is - 0870 428 0773. 

Not sure if I should put the full address! (for legal reasons) - but the post code is SN10 1QU

I have the old geographic number, which we used to phone for appointments, but this has been discontinued and they are terminating the 0870 number to a different one - possibly a 'direct dial' range on an ISDN line - as they did the 0870 number at the same time as putting in a new switchboard.

Your help in getting the geographic number would be appreciated - so I can share it around!!!

Sorry to say that our chances of finding it are slim to none.

When Companies/Agencies decide to change their Geographic number and then go to 08**/090* without ever releasing the new Geo number, there is NO WAY on earth that we will ever find it (). This for obvious reasons is usually done by the 08** provider to maximise the income revenue.   

After a nice conversation with the Complaints Manager for the St James Surgery, she advised they are aware of the Government ruling and are in the process of reverting back to the Geographic number as requested.

I hope the lady I talked to sees this and adds her own comments, and maybe even the new Geographic number.   

Well, perhaps they attract such a volume of complaints about their 087 number and can justify a member of staff where they can not bring themselves to admit their greedy mistake

Have a try of the Residential Telecom Tariff Cost Comparison Preview - it should provide what you want.   

OK, really confused now! I have done a bit of research and every time I ask BT I get a different answer!

I  have come back for some reasoned and sound advice please, as I have now found that my doctor has changed his 0870 number to an 0844 number!!!!

I want to write to them explaining the cost of calling an 0844 number, but I would like to have my facts correct!

Can someone let me know if the following is correct and also tell me the rates from calling from a mobile and a call box - pleeeeeeeeeeeeease, before I go crackers!

Calls to 0870 - Peak
From a landline - 6.73
From a mobile - ?
From a call box - I think (?) A minimum of 30p's worth of coins to put in and for this 10p is a call set up and 20p for the calls, so you get to be on the line for 1.8 minutes?

Calls to 0870 - Off Peak
From a landline - 3.36
From a mobile - ?
From a call box - ?

Calls to 0870 - Weekends
From a landline - 1.27p
From a mobile - ?
From a call box - ?

Calls to 0844 - Peak
From a landline - 4.255
From a mobile - ?
From a call box - ?

Calls to 0844 - Off Peak
From a landline - 4.255
From a mobile - ?
From a call box - ?

Calls to 0844 - Weekends
From a landline - 4.255
From a mobile - ?
From a call box - ?

Am I being 'blonde' here.  God I hope not!  I really hope you guys can help me out.

Thank you, in anticipation. ??? ???

Now settle down or you'll give yourself heart failure ! 

The prices you show are without VAT so start off by adding the VAT to get the

real

cost of calls.

Also a point to mention is that you need the whole 0844 number to get the correct tarrif from the tables, so before we go any further, let's have that to be getting on with.

Then go to the Area Code Lookup page at Magenta Systems website.
Put the number in the slot marked and click on button. That should tell you more, then carry on from there to find the call cost.

Some 0844 are charged at the same rate as Local (Lo Call) rates ie. 3p - peak /1p - Off peak & Weekend.

Quote:

That looks right.

Quote:

That's right. Ofcourse there is a 10p connection fee and all calls are subject to a 30p minimum charge. But then you knew that anyway, because the above link tells you in such a userfriendly way.

Quote:

How long is a piece of string?

Which mobile provider and tariff are we talking here?

Quote:

That's right, 10.91p/min to 0845/0870 from a payphone (subject to 10p connection and 30p minimum charge). This has been talked about in one of the other threads on surgeries with 0870 (who will be forced to use 0844).

It of course means that these 0844s are more expensive than 0870 from BT Payphones!

Quote:

Yes. If you want the information it's best to look at providers' websites. Whether the information is there and/or easy to find is another matter.

Quote:

No, some charge the same rate as normal (geographical) numbers, some don't. For those on contracts with inclusive minutes, some allow the inclusive minutes to be used with non-geographicals and some don't. There are some threads in the Cheap Call Providers section on this.