0844 call costs

First question: I gather 0844 calls are not included in my Evenings & Weekends Call Plan; is this correct?

Second question: I understand that the cost of 0844 calls depends on the 5th, 6th and 7th digits of the number called. The PlusNet Tariffs page http://www.plus.net/home-broadband/tariffs/ only shows call rates for specialised services by group (g6 - g28). How do I determine from the 5th, 6th and 7th digits which of these groups is applicable?

If I'm barking up the wrong tree here, how do I determine the cost of my 0844 calls?

Correct 0844 calls aren't included
The easiest way I know to find the cost is to get the charge band from http://www.bt.com/pricing/current/Call_Charges_boo/1... and then look it up on the link you posted - it is under specialised service

Aah, excellent, just what I was looking for, many thanks.

If you have an 0844 number it is always worth trying the equivalent 0344 number (which IS in inclusive minutes) as it may be in service but not publicised. You have nothing to lose by trying it, it will either go to the same place as the 0844 or not be recognised.

Also worth checking on http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php for alternative numbers.

Indeed, I kind of assumed everyone did that but I shouldn't.

In reply to a post by kasg:

If you have an 0844 number it is always worth trying the equivalent 0344 number (which IS in inclusive minutes) as it may be in service but not publicised. You have nothing to lose by trying it, it will either go to the same place as the 0844 or not be recognised.

Now that is interesting, Kevin. Do you think it would work on PlusNet with bestminutes.co.uk? So, for instance if I was calling Hungary, 0844 861 59 59, I could use 0344 861 59 59 instead?

In reply to a post by kbturner:

Now that is interesting, Kevin. Do you think it would work on PlusNet with bestminutes.co.uk? So, for instance if I was calling Hungary, 0844 861 59 59, I could use 0344 861 59 59 instead?

No, they rely on the 0844 number for revenue sharing and revenue sharing is not allowed on 03 numbers.

In reply to a post by kasg:

No, they rely on the 0844 number for revenue sharing and revenue sharing is not allowed on 03 numbers.

Aah.

http://www.planet-numbers.co.uk/news/article.jsp?id=159

Do the above arguments also apply to 0843 call costs?

In reply to a post by beardedwonder:

Also worth checking on http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php for alternative numbers.

I tend to use the WeQ4U app (though you can use the service on a landline).

It won't work for all numbers, as the numbers need to be in it's databse, but it has worked for most that I want to call.

In reply to a post by Galoka:

I tend to use the WeQ4U app (though you can use the service on a landline)

Agreed, useful app to have, I didn't realise you could use it from a landline, that may come in handy.

In reply to a post by kbturner:

Do the above arguments also apply to 0843 call costs?

Yes, 0843 is just an extension of the 0844 range.

Is it me, or do other people think OFCOM should be forcing providers to have a simple way of finding out the cost of a call beforehand?

The costs of dialling and using 118 services for example can be horrendous but you try and find out how much it will cost beforehand!

In reply to a post by jelv:

The costs of dialling and using 118 services for example can be horrendous but you try and find out how much it will cost beforehand!

118 is pretty easy - just say no. With the exception of a couple of providers it's £5+ a call now for something you can get free on the Internet.

To me it is a bit of a mystery why there can be so many different rates to call an 0844 number and indeed the need for revenue sharing numbers today which are seized upon by rip off artists like debt collection agencies, car clamping organisations, repair organisations and convenience payment options. IMHO revenue sharing numbers should be abolished.

Lots of financial institutions, and others, use 0845 numbers. However, on their letterhead they usually quote a "If calling from abroad" number. Strip off the +44, add a 0 and voila!

It always amazes me that they must get people using the 0845 version .

In my view, the only legit use of 084 and 087 numbers is for value added services, such as cheap international calls as mentioned in a couple of posts. They are really premium rate numbers with a low rate. Fortuantely recent legislation has barred their use for customer service lines, even if there are still some companies dragging their heels.Soon there will be a requirement for a breakdown of costs of such numbers to be shown to callers. Most of the money goes to the phone company, not the company you are phoning, expecially when calling from a mobile.

0800 and 0808 numbers will soon be free from all mobiles too. So free means free.

Call me an optimist, but with a bit of luck 084/087 numbers will soon be in decline. Ofcom also need to stamp out 070 numbers which look like mobiles but are another sort of premium rate used mainly for scamming.

i'm a simple soul who believes that any payment to the called party equals premium rate and belongs in the 09 range.

Until we reach phone number nirvana make good use of: http://www.saynoto0870.com/ to find alternatives to 084 and 087 numbers.