scrubbedexpat020

http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php

This sight is good for 'normal' geographical numbers to phone from Aus.

For those in UK it is cheaper to ring the geographical number.

Ian

mark213

Doesnt make any difference from Aus on your bills. You can still call +44870 etc from Australia for the same rate.

JAJ

No you can't. You will probably find it costs a lot more to call 0845/0870 than a regular 01/02 number. This is especially the case if using a discount call provider.

The "0870 scam" has mushroomed into an annual GBP1.5 billion stealth tax in the United Kingdom where consumers are being charged "premium" rates to call numbers that properly belong in the "09" range.

No other country allows this kind of greed.

It will end when employers start blocking outbound calls to 0870 - in the meantime say NO to companies that insist on doing business this way.

If you can't find a number on "saynoto0870.com" then best thing is either to send a fax (if they provide a regular number) or call the main company switchboard and explain to them that you cannot access 0870 from overseas.

Swerv-o

Which companies are running this sort of thing JAJ?

S

JAJ

A large proportion of UK corporations. And quite a few government agencies.
You don't need to look very far to see a profusion of "0870" numbers. Just remember anytime you see that number it means you're paying premium rates.

louie

Be careful not to tar everyone with the same brush - 0845 is a local rate number so cheaper (in the UK) than most 01 or 02 numbers. 0870 is premium rate.

NedKelly

0845 is NOT local rate. It is still 'premium rate'. It is more expensive than most 01 & 02 numbers and is excluded from most BT plans in the UK so you always pay extra on 0845.

mark213

Not true..... 0870 has never been "premium rate" its a little higher at 8ppm than national rate but never premium which is classed over 10ppm up to 150ppm. Also 0870 as proposed by ofcom is being reworked as a national rate (it was always intended this way but was started to be misued), and as of end of 2007, calls to 0870 are being reduced to 3ppm as per national rate. If you want to charge higher you need to use 0871 and give an anouncement of the rate.
0845 is remaining as a higher "local" rate and those who want to really only charge local rates and take tiny payments should use 0844.

As for international, 0870 and 0845 are and always have been accessable internationally for the same rate as using geographic number. The provider cannot charge you more as the normal rate to national numbers landline numbers (read your contract) or the can choose in their own number setups not to route you to that number range. Most providers now only distingush international routes with landline or mobile ranges for tarriffing. They dont go down to the levels of 08xx numbering tarriffs.

http://www.independent-telecom-consu...available.html

NedKelly

Of course it's premium rate, anything over a normal national rate call must be a premium rate. It's a rip off, both 0870 & 0845.

DrWho

Costs lots more calling 0870 via Skype from Oz rather than the normal number...

NedKelly

Of course it will. Skype have to pay the company you are calling as well.

mark213

0870 isnt premium rate according to Ofcom. Its not regulated by ICSTIS and thats why companys have been able to exploit it to date.

Skype do have tariffs for 08xx numbers on their website. Telstra, Optus, Voda etc dont and have a single rate to uk and a rate for mobiles. You need to check with each provider who charges what internationally for calling 08xx numbers.

Same goes with freephone in the uk 0800, you still pay for the international call at the same rate as any other landline number in the uk!

Pomster

If 0870 is not a premium rate, why is it that my calling card says I have 700 minutes calling a standard number, yet 31mins when dialling 0870 etc?

Unfortunately dialing the switchboards sometimes does not work, as the operators say they are not allowed to put people through!!!

NedKelly

You would think that if you were paying all that extra you would be put through to someone quickly instead of going through endless selections and then holding on for an operator who asks for all the same stuff again. After all, they wouldn't want to keep you on hold to run up the bill would they? Nah!

mark213

Calling cards are a very cost elastic business... you'll switch when you get a better deal without any hesitation. They have low termination charges for 01/02 numbers but need to recover the cost for 08 numbers.

Telstra can afford the higher termination charges, hence their higher rates to 01/02 numbers where they make their cash. You'll probably find it cheaper to use telstra for 0870. You cant win on one type of calling card for all tariffs or there would be no competition!

It may appear premium to you as the user, but believe me it aint. When its knocking on 150ppm then thats premium! 8ppm is a mid-rated tarriff.