Before i start i found this deal over on MSE.

This a sim only deal which looks good value. the part that caught my attention was the bit which says,
quote
"Free numbers:We also believe that a free number should be just that, so all 0800 and similar numbers really are free. "  
Does anybody on this site use or give any info on this company.

http://giffgaff.com/    

Many thanks,

Maxwell.h                                                                

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~ Edited by Dave: Thread title amended

Is this where it mentions Free 0800 Calls?

http://giffgaff.com/index/pricing

GiffGaff are "people powered" and are a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) who use the O2 network to connect their calls.

Similar to Tesco Mobile (also use O2)

:)

A quick review of the giffgaff website shows that they are trying a slightly different business model, one feature of which is giving away free 080 calls.

It is important to understand that giffgaff is meeting the balance of the cost of the call (through O2) over and above what the recipient is paying. This is not in any way a radical change to the arrangements for 080 calls as such, it is just another part of a very cheap package.

If the giffgaff model takes off and captures a significant share of the market, then this idea could spread. Alternatively, once a significant share of the market has been captured there is a lesser need to offer such attractive prices.

The long term future of charging for mobile services depends on what happens as a result of the reduction in the termination rates for incoming calls, which presently cover the equivalent of the "line rental" element of the cost. Once these become negligible there should be no reason why the full cost of 080 calls from mobiles could not be met by the recipient. We do however wait to see if and how the mobile companies will make up their lost revenue.

I am now a GiffGaff customer. I shall not say much just now until I get my other number ported.

Seems good to be true, and yes ive already called several 0800 numbers with 0p credit ;)

Giffgaff offers Call Waiting and Call Divert, which is unusual with pay as you go services.

Dave wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2011 at 12:11am:

Giffgaff offers Call Waiting and Call Divert, which is unusual with pay as you go services.

As do Family Mobile

http://www.familymobile.co.uk/services-overview

who also allow you to choose a number.

The fact that you can call freephone numbers for free on GG means you can get cheaper calls to certain destinations via services like http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php eg UK Landline Calls 1p a minute 5p connection.

bigjohn wrote on Aug 14^th, 2011 at 2:36am:

The fact that you can call freephone numbers for free on GG means you can get cheaper calls to certain destinations via services like http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php eg UK Landline Calls 1p a minute 5p connection.

And many overseas calls (e.g. Spain) for 4p connection + 1p/minute!

bigjohn wrote on Aug 14^th, 2011 at 2:36am:

The fact that you can call freephone numbers for free on GG means you can get cheaper calls to certain destinations via services like http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php eg UK Landline Calls 1p a minute 5p connection.

Have they caught on to this?

I would have thought that they won't allow 'freephone' dial through numbers to be free.

Dave wrote on Aug 14^th, 2011 at 3:24pm:

bigjohn wrote on Aug 14th, 2011 at 2:36am: The fact that you can call freephone numbers for free on GG means you can get cheaper calls to certain destinations via services like http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php eg UK Landline Calls 1p a minute 5p connection. Have they caught on to this? I would have thought that they won't allow 'freephone' dial through numbers to be free.

They allow you to call UK freephone numbers irrespective of where they terminate.

They must be aware of the practice as its been mentioned on there forum quite a few times.

EG: http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Help-Ask-the-community-got-stuck/Cheap-International-Calls/td-p/360981/page/2

There is a long running giffgaff thread on online usage history. This has been running for over two years now and has been "accepted". Despite this, members are still waiting.

I believe that any telephone service should offer a method of viewing call records and with the information age we live in, this should be easier than ever to accomplish. It should be mandatory for providers to make such information available to subscribers.

giff gaff is interesting and my sister uses it, however what has put me off is they get service outages and there is no way to auto renew the package.  It then rolls onto a expensive PAYG system if forget to renew.

Once they get auto renew sorted I may switch, although I do currently have a very good deal direct with O2.

ihate0845 wrote on Apr 12^th, 2012 at 1:59pm:

giff gaff is interesting and my sister uses it, however what has put me off is they get service outages and there is no way to auto renew the package.  It then rolls onto a expensive PAYG system if forget to renew. Once they get auto renew sorted I may switch, although I do currently have a very good deal direct with O2.

I have read of issues where there have been issues with giffgaff's system. It is backed by O2 which must be a plus point.

Expensive pay as you go?? 10 pence per minute would seem to be quite low for pay as you go services.

10p a minute is expensive.

by expensive I mean compared to packaged minutes.

giffgaff's business model seems to be to take advantage of people not renewing and hence auto switching to the more lucrative payg pricing.  its unique and I guess it works.

ihate0845 wrote on Apr 12^th, 2012 at 2:10pm:

10p a minute is expensive. by expensive I mean compared to packaged minutes.

You said that giffgaff is an "expensive PAYG system". By definition on "pay as you go" you pay for your calls and with giffgaff you pay 10 pence per minute. Add-ons such as giffgaff "Goody Bags" are extra.

Looking around at other providers this would seem to be one of the lowest priced calls of any pay as you service. So my point stands.



ihate0845 wrote on Apr 12^th, 2012 at 2:10pm:

giffgaff's business model seems to be to take advantage of people not renewing and hence auto switching to the more lucrative payg pricing.  its unique and I guess it works.

Is this any different from other pay as you go services which offer bundles that can be purchased on an occasional basis? Do others remind users?

It would seem that the sensible answer is for subscribers to set reminders on their mobile phones if they are not notified by their operator. It would be good to see operators notifying users, probably by text message.

giff gaff's advantage is clear, aside from the 0800 numbers its a contract free way of switching between prepaid and PAYG on a whim so its the flexibility.  However I want a phone that will always let me call out and not have the risk I forget to buy a new bundle or topup PAYG credit.

you may consider 10p a minute cheap but I dont.

a comparison.

I pay £13 currently for 700mobile minutes which works out at just under 2p a minute if I use all those minutes and would be nearer 10p a minute if I only used 140 minutes.  Thats excluding all the free landline calls I make on it as well which dont go out my minutes.

giffgaff users can of course ring other giffgaff users free, hence my sister trying to get me and my dad on giffgaff :)

ihate0845 wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 10:20am:

you may consider 10p a minute cheap but I dont. a comparison. I pay £13 currently for 700mobile minutes which works out at just under 2p a minute if I use all those minutes and would be nearer 10p a minute if I only used 140 minutes.  Thats excluding all the free landline calls I make on it as well which dont go out my minutes.

I repeat: "Looking around at other providers this would seem to be one of the lowest priced calls of any pay as you service."

There was a qualification to "lowest price" and that was pay as you go.

The comparison you have presented is a "pay monthly" one with contractual ties. From a total cost point of view, there is no doubt that they are cheaper overall in many circumstances, but the downside being that the user is tied into a contract.

If you or anyone knows of a pay as you go service that offers geographic, 03 and mobile calls cheaper than 10 pence per minute, please let us know.

I've been using GG for six months now with my iPhone, since leaving my 02 contract.

I'm on the £10pm Goodybag which gives me 250 free minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited internet.  ADDITIONALLY, I get free GG to GG calls PLUS a free minute for every minute someone (non GG) calls me.

I've found it to be an excellent operation and have happily recommended GG to many friends and relatives - a lot of them have joined up making me an ADDITIONAL £5 per recruit.  As a result, I've had at least two months service without having to pay a penny!  Now that's not bad.  :)

Dave wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 10:55am:

If you or anyone knows of a pay as you go service that offers geographic, 03 and mobile calls cheaper than 10 pence per minute, please let us know.

ICard Mobile 6p a minute UK Mobile. 3p a minute  Geographical Numbers .

http://www.icardmobile.co.uk/rates.php

Tesco Mobile Lite Tariff 8p a minute.
http://phone-shop.tesco.com/tesco-mobile/help-and-support/call-charges-payg-litetariff.aspx

Family Mobile . 8p a minute.

http://www.familymobile.co.uk/

Talk Mobile . 8p a minute,

http://www.talkmobile.co.uk/pay_as_you_go_essential.html

Utility Warehouse claim to offer the cheapest 7p a minute
https://www.utilitywarehouse.co.uk/mobile ; but to get this you have meet certain conditions.

poppasmurf wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 12:22pm:

I've been using GG for six months now with my iPhone, since leaving my 02 contract. I'm on the £10pm Goodybag which gives me 250 free minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited internet.  ADDITIONALLY, I get free GG to GG calls PLUS a free minute for every minute someone (non GG) calls me. I've found it to be an excellent operation and have happily recommended GG to many friends and relatives - a lot of them have joined up making me an ADDITIONAL £5 per recruit.  As a result, I've had at least two months service without having to pay a penny!  Now that's not bad.  :)

yep I agree the goodybags are good deals, my moaning was specifically on what happens when the goodybag runs out and if dont renew ;)

with all that said tho O2 no longer have the tariff I am on, clearly its too good a deal so if for whatever reason they try to end my current deal it is probable I will move to giffgaff.  As giffgaff goodybags are way better than O2's current tariffs.

bigjohn wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 7:36pm:

Dave wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 10:55am: If you or anyone knows of a pay as you go service that offers geographic, 03 and mobile calls cheaper than 10 pence per minute, please let us know. ICard Mobile 6p a minute UK Mobile. 3p a minute  Geographical Numbers . http://www.icardmobile.co.uk/rates.php Tesco Mobile Lite Tariff 8p a minute. http://phone-shop.tesco.com/tesco-mobile/help-and-support/call-charges-payg-litetariff.aspx Family Mobile . 8p a minute. http://www.familymobile.co.uk/ Talk Mobile . 8p a minute, http://www.talkmobile.co.uk/pay_as_you_go_essential.html Utility Warehouse claim to offer the cheapest 7p a minute https://www.utilitywarehouse.co.uk/mobile  but to get this you have meet certain conditions.

Thanks for these leads bigjohn!