Free Calls to 0800 Numbers From Mobiles

Dec. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- It's been a bone of contention for consumers in the UK for a quite some time that 0800 numbers are not free to call from mobile phone networks. Calls to an 0800 number from a mobile phone burn up the consumers call plan minutes which in some cases can prove quote costly.

The anomaly here, however, is that calls from a BT standard landline are free of charge.

There is a school of thought that argues that the pricing policy surrounding 0800 phone numbers actually discriminates against those members of our society who are vulnerable and possibly in need of financial assistance. In simple terms the government could be seen to be kicking those who are all ready down.

People in the UK who call the DWP (Department of Work and Pension) have been found less likely to have a landline which means that more than likely they will have to make phone calls to the Department of Work and Pension using a mobile phone. Calling the DWP 0800 phone number from a mobile phone will force those in need to spend money when they can’t really afford to.

“The UK government have worked very closely with 6 mobile phone carriers in order to make phone calls form a mobile phone to the DWP 0800 number free” said Jemma Fox, Marketing Director at  http://www.the0800numbercompany.co.uk/ . The carriers, in no particular order, are:

Orange
Virgin
O2
Tesco Mobile
T-Mobile
Vodafone


The government has made a very positive decision here by stepping in and negotiating with the 6 mobile phone carriers above as they can see that UK citizens that telephone the DWP 0800 number are vulnerable and should not really have to face call charges that they not be in a position to pay.

Telecoms industry expert anticipate that this is the first tentative step towards making calls to 0800 numbers free from mobile phones as well as landlines.

OFCOM has already introduced four 03 prefixes which tackle the issue of call charges being imposed on a mobile phone number that would not be made had the same call been made from a landline. The 03 prefixes involved are:

0300
0303
0333
0330

Calls to 0300, 0303, 0333 and 0330 phone numbers cost the same to call as a standard landline number even when the call is made from a mobile phone. Typical 0300 and 0303 number owners would include those organisations whose website address ended with .go.uk or nhs.uk. The 0300 and 0303 prefixes have been reserved for “not for profit organisations” and the public sector whereas the 0333 and 0330 prefixes can be used by any United Kingdom business.

The rules on the usage of the 0300 and 0303 prefix can be quite complex so it’s well worth checking on these websites to see if you are considered eligible:

England and Wales
Northern Ireland
Welsh Assembly
Scottish Executive

Interestingly those with “ministerial responsibility” can have an 0300 or 0303 number. It would be nice to have a cosy chat with your MP from your mobile phone for free, wouldn’t it?

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We supply 0800 numbers to small, medium and large businesses in the UK.

If your not sure whether an 0800 number is the right choice we also offer 0844 numbers, 0845 numbers, 03 numbers and local virtual numbers for nearly 500 UK towns and cities.