Extract from your web page says "Whilst not as bad, the situation is often similar with 0845 numbers, which can also be more expensive than simply dialling a standard number..."

I bank with the Co-op, who use an 0845 no.  Co-op tells me that this is charged as a local call.  I then checked with BT, who confirmed that both they and every other service provider charge 0845 calls at a local rate.

However the following comment on your web page may still be accurate "If you have 'inclusive landline calls' as part of your phone package, then it is very rare any of these numbers are included in your 'free minutes' allocation, unlike normal numbers."

wrote on May 11^th, 2004 at 12:21pm:

I bank with the Co-op, who use an 0845 no.  Co-op tells me that this is charged as a local call.  I then checked with BT, who confirmed that both they and every other service provider charge 0845 calls at a local rate.

I have to say (and others will probably reply too), that not many companies charge 0845 at the same rate as a standard geographical call.

Eg.  The cheapest provider to an 0845 number during the day (as far as I am aware) is 18866 who charge 3p/min, whereas to a standard 01 telephone number, the cheapest is only 0.5p/min.

Also, As from 1st July BT will themselves be charging 0845 numbers at different rates to standard geographical numbers (For Residential customers).

Daniel
www.saynoto0870.com

This is what the rip-off is about and why it is so subtle. Many people just can't see it at first sight! See http://0870abuse.tripod.com for explanation. The difference in cost can be as much as 14.7 p per minute!

Try looking at the comparisons given on this link in the Cheap call providers forum.

DaveM