On Telesave, who offer non-geographic numbers, I came across the following note:




Does this mean anybody dialling one of their 08xx numbers will be charged from the moment they dial regardless which provider is being used? I can't believe that any telecomms company charges before a connection is made.

Surely I am misunderstanding this?

Quote:
joe65 has provided an answer to your question, however as to your assertion above, here in the United States, some telecommunication providers, both landline and cellular, will start billing after a specific given time, even if no connection is made. This isn't as common as it used to be but does exist. Typically a call will start to bill after thirty seconds irrespective of whether anyone answers. Nevertheless, the absence of 0870s and similar scams plus a consistent numbering structure and a regulator that is interested in consumer protection means that using the telephone here is far less stressful and expensive than it is in the UK.

[quote author=idb  link=1129292835/0#2 date=1129294165]
, some telecommunication providers, both landline and cellular, will start billing after a specific given time, even if no connection is made. [/quote]

Some older telephony networks cann't guarantee an answer signal,  hence the need to presume when answer is likely to have occurred (eg. 30 seconds).   Such limitations have largely been eradicated in the UK, but may occasionally  be encountered when calling abroad.

[Though that's nothing to do with these Dail-Through numbers]

The elegance of 'Premium' rate Dial-Through service, is getting all the charges (whoever you use) on one  bill   and arent BT as cheap as anyone for all premium numbers ?

[quote author=santana-mx3  link=1129292835/0#5 date=1129321164]

But what's not elegant about it is that when you look at the bill, you can't tell what actual destination numbers were called.[/quote]

That's very true, and worth remembering befor being seduced by the convenience of Dial- Through.