Make sure you have the right call plan
If you have inclusive calls to 01 and 02 numbers, this will also cover calls to 03 numbers.
If you are paying a per-minute rate for calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers you’re probably on the wrong call plan.
Most people make calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers as part of an inclusive allowance. Outside of that allowance, landline providers charge up to 12p per minute, e.g. weekday calls made when only a “weekend” plan is in force. Mobile providers charge up to 45p per minute, e.g. exceeding a contract’s monthly call allowance or pay-as-you-go without a call bundle.
It only takes about 45 to 60 minutes of calls per month on a landline with a “weekend” deal for the “anytime” deal to work out cheaper.
It only takes about 10 to 20 minutes of calls per month on a mobile paying a per-minute rate for the next contact up in size (e.g. almost double the minute for less than a fiver extra) or a pay-as-you-go call bundle (e.g. 100 minutes for £5) to work out cheaper.
Whilst you may not pay any additional charges to call 0345 numbers from a mobile as long as you have inclusive minutes- this does not translate to the actual call being ‘free’ as all 0345 numbers are chargeable.
If you have any questions or queries please note them below and we will find out the answer and get back to you ASAP with a reference to the answer.
It has been pointed out that saying that the calls are ‘free’ is incorrect as their is technically a charge for calling a telephone number that begins with 0345. But all telephony providers allow you to call 0345 numbers from your plans allowance meaning that you do not have to actually pay anything extra when making the call as they will be treated as being geographical numbers and as such will come out of your minutes.
private wot dis i not haf vodafone
This comment to BT: How can I trust anyone professionally writing advice when they can’t spell!! Spellcheck is available now so no one need spell anything wrong. If you’re in too much of a hurry to check and get it right I’m not sure I’d take advice from you. I’ve just rung BT for advice. I had to ask the person who answered my call several times to repeat as they rambled through detail so fast. It’s not clear. BT don’t like putting anything in writing – I wonder why?? I’d just like clarity on the matter of costs to us (the business) and to our customers.
Need a cal back from ESA
how does this apply to pay as you go? I’m on voda phone personally but I know of many who are paying fortunes on other networks. particularly at the moment as I am trying to claim Universal Credit and am on hold for 10 to 45 mins to make an enquiry to find out when I may get some money to even eat!!! do these such bodies have any free numbers to call and if so, why do they not make them available to people in severe need? hoping you can help me and many, many others, Roy.
Hi Roy,
I totally understand your frustration — been at the receiving end of the DWP runaround myself!
Anyhow, calling to make a new claim to UC should be done using the 0345 60000723 number, this will not cost you anything extra IF you have free inclusive minutes- In the case of PAYG then you may find that you are better off buying a bolt on, 100 extra minutes for £5 http://www.vodafone.co.uk/explore/benefits/extras/ obvioulsy this works out a lot chaper than 45p per minute if you dont have the bolt on for calls over 12 minutes to 0345 numbers
Why something as simple as a phone call can be so complicated ? To scam us as usual.
The changes ( including the decision to treat 03 numbers like 01 and 02 ) were supposed to make things easier to understand …
Just to be clear: If I make an0345 call using my free minutes allowance, will I be charged?
No, you will NOT be charged for calling an 0345 number from your free minutes allowance 🙂