If you care to search under Three(3) in the alternative number search, you will find some alternative numbers.Go to the home page to start.

Now that you've used the site to obtain the geographical number, it might be an idea to call "3" and firstly ask them, if they include 0870 numbers in their inclusive minutes.

If not, then ask them why not.  Interesting to see what their response might be.  Perhaps they might say "It costs more" or "the person you call receives revenue so we cannot provide it free"

Then ask them, why they have decided to have an 0870 number as customer services, if their customers cannot call this number from their mobile yet they can call all their friends on different mobile networks, and landlines as part of the inclusive minutes.

Some companies might be able to spin the yarn "It's national rate, we weren't aware it costed more"

However companies such as "3" provide telecoms services and are fully aware of the price.  They exclude these numbers from inclusive minutes because of the extra cost involved, yet they still see fit to set up 0870 numbers, and expect their customers to call them.

At least O2, currently allow calling 0870 numbers to be included in the inclusive minutes, but I think they're the only ones left!!

O2 also allow calls to 0844 in there inclusive minutes,which opens up a few more cheap call options.Orange still allow access to 0800 on contract phones.

Even though other suppliers dont offer calls to Ngn no,s in there packages you can use them to reduce your bill.(PROVIDING YOU CHECK WITH YOUR NETWORK WHAT THEY CHARGE TO CALL EACH NGN CODE).

Lets take Virgin Payg as an example they charge to call

0845. 10p a minute.
0844,0870,0871. 15p aminute

Normally it would cost you 35p a minute to ring another networks mobile,but by ringing say Cheapest Calls  mobile access no 0871 999 17 17, it costs just 15p a minute.

If you were ringing say Portugal it would normally cost you 40p a minute but by using
Pennyphone 08452 366 366 access no it would cost you 10p a minute.

www.pennyphone.co.uk

www.cheapestcalls.co.uk

Quote:

I know 0870 numbers are charged the same a geographical numbers on OVP Virgin, I presume 0845 are aswell.

Virgin Mobile charge 10p/min for 0845 and 15p/min for 0870 (at all times). See here under "National Toll Rate numbers" and "Local Toll Rate numbers".

I think on OVP Virgin, 0845 stays at 10p, but 0870 is 5p after 5 minutes use in the day, a bit back to front really.

When I had only this phone, I used to plan to ring 0845 numbers before 0870 and landlines as it was cheaper this way round!

I'm really gonna have to try 0871; maybe that will go to 5p as well!