Cost of inclusive 0870 0845 calls

[davej99]

Hi everyone,

Looking at iDNET broadband & phone services. All pretty clear and competitive except for the cost of 0870 0845 calls in the Unlimited Anytime calls package. In the past I was told, "We are only in control of the access charge part of the call which is included in the current phone packages. The service charge is a charge levied by the service operator you call instead of previously being a single rate for the call."

The call prices web page says Anytime package includes,
'Calls to 0845, 0870 Numbers
Special Services Access Charge.'

Elsewhere we are told for
'084, 087, 09 and 118 Numbers,' the Access Charge 'will be free for anyone on one of our current call packages.'

That seems ambiguous. Does it mean 0845 & 0870 numbers are completely free as a special case, or just the Access Charge as one would expect for say 118 numbers? Please can someone confirm how it works in practice?

Thanks & kind regards

Dave

[Simon]

Sorry Dave, I'm not quite sure I get what the question is.  As I read it, "free" and "inclusive" essentially means the same thing, in that the service access charge is covered by the IDNet phone package, but you then have to pay for the cost of the actual call on the special rate numbers.  Am I missing something?

[davej99]

Hi Simon,

Have emailed iDNET for clarification. The call prices web page says Anytime package includes calls to 0845, 0870 numbers. To me that means the whole call is free not part. Whereas for all other 084, 087, 09 and 118 calls only the access charge is free.

Dave

[Simon]

Oh right, OK.  Let us know what they say. 

[Gary]

Companies that use 0870 and 0845 numbers have to provide a 03 or 01 or 02 number (generally a 0345 or 0344) you can find alternate numbers on http://www.saynoto0870.com/  I don't use my landline any more except for incoming calls as I have unlimited on my mobile over 4G (Volte) or wifi so either way great sound quality and free 0800 and 0345 and 0344 numbers. Landlines are really becoming a thing of the past I believe for many. Vodafone have sort of done away with the line rental, but have really just absorbed it into their price for the product but its a good start.

[davej99]

Turns out iDNET agree wording on inclusive calls is ambiguous, and guess what, 0845s and 0870s are only partly free.

Alternative 0870 0845 numbers are provided for companies one is in contract with. Saynoto is handy but need to watch scam numbers.

No mobile coverage here in our bit of semi-rural Perthshire. Little 3g and even less 4g in most of rural Scotland. Telecoms here is a sick joke and the Scottish Government is beyond a joke.


Thx Dave

[davej99]

Correction of my earlier post about ambiguity. Looks like 0870 and 0845 call are free up to a limit. Very good news. Have now got official new website wording from Nick in support as follows:

"Call Package Includes:

"Unlimited Calls to 01,02,03 UK Geographic Numbers, Channel Islands, Calls between Northern Ireland and Republic Of Ireland

"Up-to 20 hours of calls to 0845, 0870 Numbers

"Special Services Access Charge"

As a result I will place an order to migrate line, broadband and calls back to iDNET.



Dave

[Clive]

I'm glad to hear about the 0870 numbers - I've still been using Say No To 0870.