Why cant I dial a UK 0800 number from outside the UK....? I am prepared to pay......?!

+44 800 xxx xxx doesnt work, neither does 01 44 0800 xxx xxxx .........why??

 

This happened to me last week and I think it's something to do with the cross-charge between the company providing the freephone number and the carrier who routes the call i.e. it's difficult to reconcile so they don't do it.

Most companies who offer the freephone number usually provide a normal number as well for people who need to make contact from abroad - Sentinel, BUPA etc.

Cheers
Kav

 

On my mobile phone, I usually dial +44 800 XXXXXXX. Drop the zero from 0800, and the + sign sorts out the other bits required at the front end. Works for me from Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, America, Germany, most of Europe.


C

 

For me, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. As above, drop the 0. Then you might get number unobtainable, you might get straight through, or you might get a warning message that "The charge-free status does not apply to this call" - after which it may or may not carry on to connect you.

Rarely have I seen a separate number to call from outside the UK, and frequently have I sworn at the phone in frustration .

 

It won't work, it is a freephone number from within the UK only. You will have to ask the company for their switchboard (non free) number and call them on that.

 

I've called NTL on their 0800 before from outside the UK. Worked fine.

 

u usually have to change the 0800 to 1800, and you will get charged.