OFCOM to investigate 118 number call charges
08-05-2017, 17:15
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#1
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cf.mega poster
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OFCOM to investigate 118 number call charges
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08-05-2017, 17:20
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#2
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Dr Pepper Addict
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
Wait ... one call to 118118 costs £8.98 ?
Bloody hell.
Note to self: Dont use 118....
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08-05-2017, 17:26
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#3
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Sad Doig Fan!
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
In fairness that is not the cost of the look up, that is the charge for the redirection service when you agree to let them put you through.
That said anyone remember that these companies were allowed to spring up to introduce competition to BT's directory services that were charging 20p for the look up at the time?
Last edited by pip08456; 08-05-2017 at 17:26.
Reason: Typo
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08-05-2017, 18:05
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#4
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cf.addict
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
Blimey, paying 8 quid for someone on the other end of the line to Google a number for you - anyone know how you set up a 118 company?!
When i had a landline, Virgin used to provide a free 118 service for their customers - they may still do so.
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08-05-2017, 18:11
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#5
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Perfect Soldier
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taf
I can't think of the last time I looked up a number in a phonebook, or called Directory Enquiries, but some of you may be.
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The real problem is the elderly who are not net savvy and have been used to historically inexpensive number searches at BT still using the same or similar services and not knowing that they will now pay through the nose.
It's a nasty sneaky exploitation of ignorance.
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08-05-2017, 18:12
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#6
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R.I.P.
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inactive Digital
Blimey, paying 8 quid for someone on the other end of the line to Google a number for you - anyone know how you set up a 118 company?!
When i had a landline, Virgin used to provide a free 118 service for their customers - they may still do so.
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one of the things I get free due to my eyesight is directory enquiries but I've never used it!
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08-05-2017, 18:12
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#7
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Woke and proud !
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
A lot of people are now ex directory anyway, if they've got any sense.
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08-05-2017, 18:29
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#8
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cf.geek
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
I thought 118180 was free to VM customers or is that no longer so?
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08-05-2017, 18:35
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#9
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Virgin Media Staff
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
Quote:
Originally Posted by pip08456
In fairness that is not the cost of the look up, that is the charge for the redirection service when you agree to let them put you through.
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Nope, it's the actual cost of calling them for the look up:
http://www.118118.com/about118
Quote:
Calls to 118 118 cost £4.49 per call plus £4.49 per minute, (minimum 60 second charge applies) inc vat.
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That's excluding the phone provider's access charge.
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08-05-2017, 18:37
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#10
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Inactive
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
Never used one of these services for the very reason that they're a rip off. I have sympathy with anyone elderly, for example, who doesn't understand just how much a call might be costing.
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08-05-2017, 19:27
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#11
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Sad Doig Fan!
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
Quote:
Originally Posted by BenMcr
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I'm happy to be corrected, not having used the service for years.
That is extortion!
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08-05-2017, 23:54
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#12
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cf.mega poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 14,231
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
Quote:
Originally Posted by BenMcr
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Opening up directory enquiries to competition in 2003 is a great example of the law of unintended consequences.
Quote:
Telecoms watchdog Oftel, which is behind the change, says it will mean improved value for the £300m callers spend on 700 million calls to the service every year.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3177087.stm
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09-05-2017, 00:52
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#13
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Inactive
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
118 811 is supposed to be a cheaper, no frills service
And 0800 118 3733 - free, listen to an ad (not sure if it's still running)
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09-05-2017, 07:26
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#14
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Rise above the players
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
Virgin Media customers should use 118 180. Those other services are ridiculously expensive and should be avoided.
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09-05-2017, 08:59
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#15
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Oh When The Saints!!
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Re: Calls to 118 numbers
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