BT Mobile make calls to 0800 numbers free
BT Mobile says that from 1 May it is scrapping all charges for its consumer customers who dial 0800 numbers and similar 0500 numbers - set up by companies to enable customers to call them for free - despite the loss of tens of thousands of pounds in revenue.
The landmark decision has won immediate support from consumer groups that believe companies should stop charging for calls to freephone numbers.
Consumer Focus - which incorporates the former National Consumer Council - and BT have called on the big mobile operators to follow this lead and give customers back the £50 million a year they are charged for calling 0800 numbers from mobiles.
Audrey Gallagher, of Consumer Focus, said: 'With so many consumers using mobile phones rather than landlines to contact essential services, find information and seek help, it is more important than ever that they do so for free across all 0800 numbers. Consumer Focus calls on mobile phone operators to follow BT and stop making money out of 0800 calls.'
BT Retail consumer managing director John Petter said: “We think mobile customers are irritated by having to pay high rates to call ‘free’ 0800 numbers, so we have put our own house in order by making it free for any BT Mobile customer to call these numbers.”
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