I suspect it may be that 18866 have observed that there are a lot of very long calls to this number. In the end they will be losing money if a significant number of their subscribers make very long calls to that number.

They probably have a system of monitoring and when they detect a significant number of long calls to a particular number they then check what the number is. When they find that it is an isp they probably block it. Don't be too hard on them. They do have to make some profit in the end, and really you must admit that exploiting 18866 in that way to get your internet access is a bit mean!

I appreciate your input, but am not entirely sure that I understand what you are proposing.

Are you proposing that I should (i) use another ISP, (ii) find a different phone number for the same ISP, or (iii) use a different call provider for the same dial-up number?

If the first, then you should note that I am stuck with my present ISP, as I have a "lifetime" subscription which is fully paid up.   If (ii), then you ought to know that I had considerable difficulty getting any geographic number behind the 0845 number and, in any event, very much doubt if they have another land line.

If, however, you are suggesting that I use another call-provider, can you suggest one with a fixed (2p?) charge, for a call of an unlimited duration?

Many thanks for your interest.

This is a VERY old subscription - fully paid up in 1996.

There was then meant to be a local (not lo-call, ie 0845) number to use.

When they switched to 0845, I objected and eventually got a  geographic number  (0161, although I am 020), which is now fine, as national rates are now effectively the same price.

But, I can not use 18866!

This may be true, and at the time might have costed a fair bit, but it's like buying a car say in 1996, it is now 2005, and what you paid for back then, has devalued considerably.

Unless you really need that old ISP, there are plenty around that will for free of charge provide a geographic number.  Although some might get caught in that trap, of not being able to be called once enough telcos ban the number, if you don't mind switching every now and then, and of course not paying any subscription fees, then it might be worth doing that, instead of sticking to the line that you paid for something which was back then, in 1996 worth something, but with evolving technology and prices, not worth anything.

I'm not saying you were ripped off back then, because the norm was to pay a fixed monthly fee, and then call charges.  Back then very few telcos offered free calls, and 0845 was cheaper than phoning a geographic number outside the local area.

I think the best idea is review what you want from your ISP, and just cut your losses.  Do you want to be stuck with a number you can't call, or would you rather look around for something else?

My original ISP is now mostly a backup.   It does have its uses, however, particularly to receive e-mails to the original address that cannot be redirected.

Also, I can use it at home, where I do not have broadband.

OK Andy, don't keep it a secret then. Which geo numbers for free isps still work as at 13th August 2005? That is the point of this thread.