Potential good news

Rik · Apr 04, 2012, 17:43:26

The BBC report that:

QuoteFree calls to 0800 telephone numbers will be extended to anyone using a mobile phone, under plans announced by the regulator, Ofcom.

The vast majority of these calls are charged at up to 21p a minute for mobile users, under current rules.

But Ofcom wants to make these 0800 calls free, as they are from landlines.

At last. The mobile telcos won't like it though.

Simon · Apr 04, 2012, 17:45:24

About time, but it's usually easy enough to find a landline number.

Rik · Apr 04, 2012, 17:47:33

Some firms make it hard work, though. I understand why mobile telcos started charging and, in some ways, I think the fault lays with firms not making geographical numbers widely available.

Simon · Apr 04, 2012, 17:49:56

True. I was actually thinking of the likes of 'SayNoTo0870', but I guess they don't cover 0800 numbers.

Glenn · Apr 04, 2012, 17:51:16

There are Andriod apps to call the landline number of a 0800, 0845 etc number automatically, so you dial 0800 xxxxxxx and the phone finds the landline number and calls it. I'm sure there will be something similar for iPhone.

Rik · Apr 04, 2012, 17:52:08

But not the iPad.

Steve · Apr 04, 2012, 18:29:45

That's not a phone

although I did see someone in the Botanical Gardens,Edinburgh taking a picture with one and it didn't look right. but I guess we'll get used to it , tablet cameras soon will be all the rage.

Glenn · Apr 04, 2012, 18:30:46

The Galaxy Note looks huge as a phone, or small as a tablet

Rik · Apr 04, 2012, 18:34:27

Quote from: Steve on Apr 04, 2012, 18:29:45
That's not a phone although I did see someone in the Botanical Gardens,Edinburgh taking a picture with one and it didn't look right. but I guess we'll get used to it , tablet cameras soon will be all the rage.

Can't see it, Steve, their size will make them hard to keep stable - we'll need a tripod mount.

Lance · Apr 04, 2012, 22:02:34

Quote from: Simon on Apr 04, 2012, 17:49:56
True. I was actually thinking of the likes of 'SayNoTo0870', but I guess they don't cover 0800 numbers.

I think it does, Simon.

Simon · Apr 04, 2012, 23:13:46

Oh well, there you go then, I was right all along.

Glenn · Apr 05, 2012, 05:47:41

http://www.appbrain.com/app/say-no-to-0870-0800-0845/com.slackersoft.android.no0870 That's the app for the Android

Simon · Apr 05, 2012, 08:37:53

Yeah, I found one for the iPhone. Seems you have to dial through their network, unless I've misunderstood it. I'm always a bit wary of that sort of thing.

Technical Ben · Apr 05, 2012, 09:48:12

Yep. Guess what one of the latest reports says about apps? They found a number of them collecting data in the background and broadcasting it. Not personal, but the "public" stuff like memory space, times used, battery power and location.

All in the name of "market survey".

Simon · Apr 05, 2012, 12:26:22

That doesn't surprise me, and I think it's come up before.

pctech · Apr 05, 2012, 12:36:37

It's about time they did this.

Expect rental and PAYG charges to go up.

MisterW · Apr 05, 2012, 12:49:59

My mobile provider ( http://giffgaff.com/index/pricing ) has always given free calls to 0800 numbers.

Baz · Apr 05, 2012, 13:11:02

Quote from: pctech on Apr 05, 2012, 12:36:37
It's about time they did this.

Expect rental and PAYG charges to go up.

two of my rentals have just gone up

and the main post, good and about time but they are going to make a decision in 2013

how long can it take surely

Technical Ben · Apr 05, 2012, 14:12:55

Quote from: pctech on Apr 05, 2012, 12:36:37
It's about time they did this.

Expect rental and PAYG charges to go up.

The funny thing is, the company receiving the call pays for the 0800 number, not the callers Phone provider. Not that the facts stop them using excuses to up the price.

pctech · Apr 05, 2012, 14:36:29

Indeed, I'm on the verge of moving back to O2 PAYG as I'm really not using the 500 minutes am paying for.

Technical Ben · Apr 05, 2012, 16:09:30

I have a £10 (now £10.50p or whatever after the VAT increase) monthly contract that's been that for 3 years.

pctech · Apr 08, 2012, 18:31:57

My contract with Tesco is £10.50 too.

talos · Apr 09, 2012, 10:32:23

Quote from: Technical Ben on Apr 05, 2012, 09:48:12
Yep. Guess what one of the latest reports says about apps? They found a number of them collecting data in the background and broadcasting it. Not personal, but the "public" stuff like memory space, times used, battery power and location.
All in the name of "market survey".

They all do it, if you use a smart phone you are tracked, traced and monitored, any mobile can be tracked its only a radio tranciever after all.
If you use one be prepared to accept these conditions, if you are not prepared to accept them use a landline.

pctech · Apr 10, 2012, 19:04:10

You can always switch off data traffic and wi-fi, that scuppers them.

pctech · Apr 10, 2012, 19:06:21

Got my O2 PAYG SIM, PAC code from Tesco and have filled in the form to transfer the number back to O2.

In the last month I used 25 out of 500 minutes so no point in keeping the contract.