Plans to extend free 0800 calls

Free 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.

A consumer watchdog said many callers already thought these calls were free for everyone and were hit with a shock when their bill arrived.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17610232

about time dont you think?

Its high time it was brought into line. I've never been able to understand why mobile users couldn't take advantage of the free 0800 calls.............didn't make any sense to me. That's good new for a change.

You guyas get charged for 0800 numbers from cell phones?.. bloody cheek.. as far as I know, it's always been a free call here.. IMO 0800 should be free calls, especially as some people don't have landlines at home.. the only ones that we couldn't make 0800 calls to with the mobile was our welfare system with a mobile, but I think that's up for change...

our welfare system numbers all start with 0845,and thats 50p per minute even from a call box im told

Gawd help us from government departments.. you're on a benefit and expected to pay to call them when you have stuff all to live on anyway.. there must be some real Einsteins working in the welfare department there .. I wonder how some of the solo mums get on if they need a bit of extra help when they get an extra unexpected bill or two get on?.. pay the bill, then have no money to ring up for emergency help to feed the kids for the rest of the week...