SilentCallsVictim wrote on Jun 20
th, 2013 at 12:09pm:
Perhaps someone could help by explaining how this statement from the
BT website is untrue.
Quote:Your free calls don't include calls to mobiles, premium rate, international, 0844, 0871, indirect access, operator, directory enquiries, and calls to the Channel Islands
I think that the reference to "indirect access" here refers to "indirect access codes" which begin with 1, such as 18185. It does, after all, appear in the quoted sentence before operator and directory enquiries, which are also on codes that start with 1.
It is also worth noting that all the types of calls mentioned here have their own number ranges, assuming "indirect access" means codes that start with 1. That is, it isn't talking about individual numbers that are anomalies within a range that is otherwise inclusive.
As for the question of whether the 03 dial-through service referred to in the OP is included in packages, it is obviously down to each originating operator to decide whether to exclude it or not, if indeed the regulations allow.
We know that BT excludes geographic dial-up ISP numbers, presumably where they have been identified as such. I wonder whether it, and other call providers, would be allowed to do likewise with 03 dial-up ISP numbers.
It may also be more difficult for originating providers to identify 01/02/03 dial-through numbers (than ISP numbers) so as to exclude them from packages. For that reason dial-through numbers may not automatically be excluded, even if a provider had a general policy of doing so. Basically some may be underneath its radar.