I dont understand why our supposed 0800 freephone numbers are not free from mobiles ?!? But for most mobile phone users this is the case and we cannot use our free minute allowances to call 0800 numbers... However we do get our free minutes to call 01 and 02 numbers... therefore is there any way to call an 01 / 02 number which we can then use to call and then dial an 0800 number ?

I have found Voipfone (voipfone.co.uk)


http://www.voipfone.co.uk/PB_Mobile_Voip_Link.php

which does exactly this. You register and then register your mobile phone via text (free to do). You then call an 020 7 number which gives you a dial tone and then you can dial an 0800 number for free ( I think )..

Does anyone know of any other services like this ?  

Humm, none of the above numbers seem to work for me on 02 contract phone. I checked and can ring it fine from a landline.

The 0200 222 0900 number works fine from O2 ,only the 0700 number is not recognised.

But on O2 you can normally make calls to 0800 numbers anyway out of your contract inclusive call minutes.

From their T&C

"Inclusive call minutes can be used to call some non-geographical and special services numbers with the following prefixes: 0800, 0808, 0844, 0845 and 0870. Once the inclusive minute allowance has been used up, calls to these numbers will be charged as calls to standard UK landlines at the prevailing tariff. Some exceptions may apply and calls to some numbers may be free of charge. "

gisvpn wrote on Oct 10^th, 2006 at 8:31pm:

But the number is 020 02220900

gisvpn wrote on Oct 10^th, 2006 at 8:37pm:

The number 0200 222 0900 is infact the same as 020 0222 0900, it's just the space is in different places.

No, I haven't used these numbers, but I understand others have.

Thats so strange. I call customer services AND went into O2 store on Victoria Street and they both said NO 0800 was not included as free minutes (Im on O2 Long Weekends) and the 0200 number does not work... may ask them about the number and why i cannot call it.

Thanks for the info though.

I can't advise as to what you will be charged, however you may be interested in this thread about O2 charging 15p/min to all 08 NGNs. I gather it includes 0800s, perhaps you can seek clarification from bbb_uk.

Dave wrote on Oct 10^th, 2006 at 11:12pm:


The rates I referred to in my thread are only for PAYG customers.  I did mention this but it wasn't very clear so I've amended my thread to highlight that these rates apply to PAYG customers only.  

It is my understanding (and after scanning their t&c), that calls to 08x numbers are included in any inclusive minutes for those on PayMonthly contracts with the exception of calls to 0871 numbers.  Calls to 08x outside any inclusive minutes are apparently charged for at normal geographical rates.

For PayMonthly customers, the only exception to this is for those making calls with o2 Long Weekends where calls to 0800/0808 are included but calls to 084x and 087x are not included.

For those PayMonthly customers with o2 Long Weekends, I suggest you contact o2 (via email so it can then subsequently be used as proof if needed) and ask them for clarification that if you make calls to 084x/0870 numbers that aren't included in o2 Long Weekends then would such calls then come out of your normal inclusive call allowance or would it be chargable?

Remember mobile networks are obliged to inform customers if the call will be chargable for calls to freephone numbers.  They, however, are not obliged to inform their customers how much these calls cost from what I understand.

Maxwell.h wrote on Oct 10^th, 2006 at 12:58pm:
Thanks for this, it's helpful and I've included it in my thread as linked to by Dave in a previous post.

For the purposes of this post, Gisvpn, calls to freephone numbers should (according to their t&c) be included in any inclusive call allowance for PayMonthly customers and is charged at normal geographical rates if outside any inclusive call allowance.

Don't go by what you have heard in the shops as you'll be surprised at the lack of training or they could have got confused with PAYG rates.  o2 staff concentrate on learning their best tariffs and of course how to try and persuade you to take a contract with them.  This type of thing applies to all mobile networks and not just o2.

As it clearly states in their t&c for paymonthly customers then you should be fine.  If, for some reason, you find you get charged despite having inclusive minutes left and you were calling the freephone number from within your inclusive minutes period (ie anytime or evening & weekend depending on type of contract) then complain to c/s and ask them to read their t&c for which they would have to reimburse you for your call but to be honest, I doubt that will be needed.