They have changed the rate to call 01/02/03 numbers via the indirect access codes. from just 5p a call  to 5p plus 0.5p a minute.         Calls via the 0808 freephone number remain the same 5p plus 1p a minute.

It does state 0.5 pence per minute on the website of each of these three services.

Dave wrote on Sep 21^st, 2015 at 8:38pm:

It does state 0.5 pence per minute on the website of each of these three services.

      When I say no warning . I mean they just announced  it today without prior notice. If people have the call cost announcement turned off and don't visit websites. They want know until they get bills.

Well that pretty much wipes these out as a useful service. I haven't used them for a long time as there have always been ways of avoiding even the 5p, but a shame.

Given that the termination rate for calls to 01 and 02 numbers is 0.21p per minute and for 03 numbers is 0.56p per minute, and given that the retail charge for calling 03 numbers must not exceed that for 01 and 02 numbers, charging 0.5p per minute for calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers seems wholly reasonable. Indeed, it is perhaps surprising that the rate isn't a little bit higher.

The 5p connection fee makes short calls 'expensive'. A two minute call effectively costs 3p per minute.

Ian01 wrote on Sep 22^nd, 2015 at 11:23am:

charging 0.5p per minute for calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers seems wholly reasonable. Indeed, it is perhaps surprising that the rate isn't a little bit higher.

Reasonable, yes, but it's a huge increase on the previous zero rate!

Indeed - with an average call time of just 10min it will double the bill.
I am with SkyTalk ( currently an old Freetime Tariff)  and use that in the evenings.  Had been considering taking up one of their paid, inclusive  packages -  may well do so now.

PHILSAYNO wrote on Sep 25^th, 2015 at 9:36am:

Indeed - with an average call time of just 10min it will double the bill. I am with SkyTalk ( currently an old Freetime Tariff)  and use that in the evenings.  Had been considering taking up one of their paid, inclusive  packages -  may well do so now.

      Didnt Sky block indirect access via short codes ages ago?

bigjohn wrote on Sep 25^th, 2015 at 1:49pm:

Didnt Sky block indirect access via short codes ages ago?

Yes but I think PHILSAYSNO is saying that he's on a legacy Sky tariff - which used to be possible using a BT landline rather than having to hand over line rental to Sky.

Heinz wrote on Sep 25^th, 2015 at 3:02pm:

bigjohn wrote on Sep 25th, 2015 at 1:49pm: Didnt Sky block indirect access via short codes ages ago? Yes but I think PHILSAYSNO is saying that he's on a legacy Sky tariff - which used to be possible using a BT landline rather than having to hand over line rental to Sky.

I thought that Sky had fully unbundled all their lines  a fair while back after which 18185 indirect etc. would not work. Do they still have some that are not unbundled then ?

Just being informed that my Freetime is ending on 1Dec. and I will be on a current Tariff ( Free Evenings & weekends for £4).
Does you think this means that 18185 will then no longer work?