O2 starts charging for calls to non-places - Contract get-out clause activated

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/


Last week O2 sent notifications to its subscribers informing them that
calls to 0845, 0870 and 0800 (non-geographic) numbers would no longer
be included in bundled minutes. The company has now admitted that this
change to its billing is significant and therefore enables customers
to get out of their existing contracts.

O2 was the last mobile company to include such calls in bundled
minutes, indeed, many of the newer telecommunications providers view
calls to non-geographics as an important revenue stream. Customers
signing up to O2 since March already have to pay for such calls
outside their bundle but, in common with most phone users, many are
unaware of it.

Customers who signed up prior to March should have received
notification of the new charges by text message; and they have one
month from the receipt of that message to get in touch with O2 if they
want to cancel their contract. O2 has told us that such requests will
be honoured, but only if received before the end of September.

With O2 to announce its exclusive deal for the iPhone around then, it
might seem the ideal time to be renegotiating a contract: though with
the iPhone unlikely to have any subsidy, there may not be that much to
gain.

---

› See More: O2 starts charging for calls to non-places - Contract get-out clause activated

In message <[email protected]>,
Jethro <[email protected]> writes
>http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>
>
>
>
>Customers who signed up prior to March should have received
>notification of the new charges by text message; and they have one
>month from the receipt of that message to get in touch with O2 if they
>want to cancel their contract. O2 has told us that such requests will
>be honoured, but only if received before the end of September.
>
Not had any notification yet ..... wonder how they will enforce their
end Sept deadline or their charges.

Are there any more of us who have not been told?
--
Richard C

RCC wrote:

> >
> >Customers who signed up prior to March should have received
> >notification of the new charges by text message; and they have one
> >month from the receipt of that message to get in touch with O2 if they
> >want to cancel their contract. O2 has told us that such requests will
> >be honoured, but only if received before the end of September.
> >
> Not had any notification yet ..... wonder how they will enforce their
> end Sept deadline or their charges.
>
> Are there any more of us who have not been told?


I haven't been told but signed up in May. I tried contacting them to
cancel and told I had signed up under different terms and conditions
and that NGN would never have been included. I have since checked the
terms and conditions booklet that came with my sim pack and it
contains no mention of future changes in charging for NGN and all
bills I have to hand show them clearly being included.

On 5 Sep, 14:49, RCC <richard@mapson_cowling1.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <[email protected]>,
> Jethro <[email protected]> writes>http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>
> >Customers who signed up prior to March should have received
> >notification of the new charges by text message; and they have one
> >month from the receipt of that message to get in touch with O2 if they
> >want to cancel their contract. O2 has told us that such requests will
> >be honoured, but only if received before the end of September.
>
> Not had any notification yet ..... wonder how they will enforce their
> end Sept deadline or their charges.

Because you will have received a bill under the new charges, and so
will be deemed to have accepted.

RCC wrote:
> In message <[email protected]>,
> Jethro <[email protected]> writes
>> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Customers who signed up prior to March should have received
>> notification of the new charges by text message; and they have one
>> month from the receipt of that message to get in touch with O2 if
>> they want to cancel their contract. O2 has told us that such
>> requests will be honoured, but only if received before the end of
>> September.
> Not had any notification yet ..... wonder how they will enforce their
> end Sept deadline or their charges.
>
> Are there any more of us who have not been told?

I havnt been told yet, but I am happy with my contract otherwise, so dont
really want to duck out of it!

"Sheila" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> RCC wrote:
>> In message <[email protected]>,
>> Jethro <[email protected]> writes
>>> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Customers who signed up prior to March should have received
>>> notification of the new charges by text message; and they have one
>>> month from the receipt of that message to get in touch with O2 if
>>> they want to cancel their contract. O2 has told us that such
>>> requests will be honoured, but only if received before the end of
>>> September.
>> Not had any notification yet ..... wonder how they will enforce their
>> end Sept deadline or their charges.
>>
>> Are there any more of us who have not been told?
>
> I havnt been told yet, but I am happy with my contract otherwise, so dont
> really want to duck out of it!
When I was told I was allowed to end 2 contracts (18 month) which were
started at the beginning of April and switch them both to Simplicity which
gives me roughly the same minutes for £15 less each and they only roll on a
30 day notification

Pete wrote:
> "Sheila" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> RCC wrote:
>>> In message <[email protected]>,
>>> Jethro <[email protected]> writes
>>>> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Customers who signed up prior to March should have received
>>>> notification of the new charges by text message; and they have one
>>>> month from the receipt of that message to get in touch with O2 if
>>>> they want to cancel their contract. O2 has told us that such
>>>> requests will be honoured, but only if received before the end of
>>>> September.
>>> Not had any notification yet ..... wonder how they will enforce their
>>> end Sept deadline or their charges.
>>>
>>> Are there any more of us who have not been told?
>> I havnt been told yet, but I am happy with my contract otherwise, so dont
>> really want to duck out of it!
> When I was told I was allowed to end 2 contracts (18 month) which were
> started at the beginning of April and switch them both to Simplicity which
> gives me roughly the same minutes for £15 less each and they only roll on a
> 30 day notification
>

Good old consistant policy. I was told on Monday that they can only
offer me a deal with a new 18 month lock in. I'd specifically asked
about changing to a SIM only deal. Since looking around though I've
realised just how outrageous data charges are on o2, so I'll be using
the PAC I got off them and bidding farewell for at least 12 months with
T-mobile.

I wouldn't be surprised if they change tack though, I know at least 4
other people who are either leaving or holding out for a *very* good
deal to stay put.

>> Are there any more of us who have not been told?
>
> I havnt been told yet, but I am happy with my contract otherwise, so dont
> really want to duck out of it!
>

just had a look on the site, might switch to an online 30, gives me the same
minutes for £5 less, sim only, am happy with the K800i

In article <[email protected]>,
Jethro <[email protected]> writes:
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>
>
> Last week O2 sent notifications to its subscribers informing them that
> calls to 0845, 0870 and 0800 (non-geographic) numbers would no longer
> be included in bundled minutes. The company has now admitted that this
> change to its billing is significant and therefore enables customers
> to get out of their existing contracts.

So, how does this fit with Ofcom's rules...
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/mofaq/telecoms/nts/

4. How much will 0870 calls cost when the changes have been implemented?

As proposed in September 2005, Ofcom will require mobile and fixed-line
providers (including payphones) to charge the same or less for 0870 calls
as they do for national-rate calls to geographic numbers (starting 01 or 02).
If providers wish to charge more for 0870 calls they will have to make a
free-to-caller price pre-announcement at the start of the call.

This change is likely to significantly reduce the price of many calls to
0870 numbers. It will also mean that 0870 calls will generally be included
in call packages. Currently daytime 0870 calls usually cost around 8 pence
per minute from fixed-lines. Typical fixed-line call packages offer calls
to geographic numbers at 3 pence per minute or less.

The requirement to charge no more than the rate for geographic calls will
also extend to all-calls packages and bundled-minutes. So for example, if
you have subscribed to a package that allows you to make national calls to
geographic numbers at no charge then 0870 calls must also be free of charge.
Similarly if your subscription has a call allowance that includes national
calls to geographic numbers then you will also be able to use the allowance
to make 0870 calls.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

On Sep 5, 2:49 pm, RCC <richard@mapson_cowling1.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <[email protected]>,
> Jethro <[email protected]> writes>http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>
> >Customers who signed up prior to March should have received
> >notification of the new charges by text message; and they have one
> >month from the receipt of that message to get in touch with O2 if they
> >want to cancel their contract. O2 has told us that such requests will
> >be honoured, but only if received before the end of September.
>
> Not had any notification yet ..... wonder how they will enforce their
> end Sept deadline or their charges.
>
> Are there any more of us who have not been told?
> --
> Richard C




Have a 65mth old contract: Genie Offpeak 600 [Sim Only] £15/mth.

Hadn't received the Notification either - or so I thought! Just now
occurred to me to check my [otherwise unused] O2 Webmail Inbox, where
I found the notification email show below [originally in html format],
sent 30/08/07. Note that the registered contact email address for
usual billing/updates in O2's "My Personal Details" is NOT the O2
webmail address that they have used to "notify" me.


------------------------------------


"From: [email protected]
Date: Aug 30, 2007 17:16
To: "O2"
Subject: We've made a few changes to your call charges

O2: Changes to your call charges No pictures? See the email in full
Changes to your call charges I'm getting in touch to let you know
about some changes that will be happening soon to your call charges.

Starting from 28 September 2007, the way that calls beginning with
certain numbers are charged will change. From that date, you won't be
able to pay for these calls using your inclusive minutes. Instead,
calls to these numbers will cost 20p a minute. You can find a full
list
of numbers that are affected at o2.co.uk/specialnumbers

Until now we've not charged you for the higher cost of calls to these
numbers, but as they've become increasingly popular, we're finally
aligning with the other networks.

The most commonly used numbers, such as those to mobile phones and
standard fixed lines (01 & 02), will not be affected by these
changes.

There are some numbers which are exceptions to this new rule, and
you'll still be able to call them without being charged. For example,
you'll still be able to call O2 Customer Service on 0870 600 3009,
free
of charge from your O2 mobile. You can find full details about these
at
o2.co.uk/specialnumbers

Finally, if you use your mobile to call abroad, it's worth knowing
you
could save money with O2's Discount Country.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Best regards

Mark Stevenson
Consumer Marketing
This email is sent from O2 (UK) Limited, a company registered in
England and Wales. Registered office:
260 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4DX. Registered number: 1743099.
Please do not reply. Use the links below instead:

Help Terms"

On 5 Sep, 22:59, [email protected] (Andrew Gabriel) wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Jethro <[email protected]> writes:
>
> >http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>
> > Last week O2 sent notifications to its subscribers informing them that
> > calls to 0845, 0870 and 0800 (non-geographic) numbers would no longer
> > be included in bundled minutes. The company has now admitted that this
> > change to its billing is significant and therefore enables customers
> > to get out of their existing contracts.
>
> So, how does this fit with Ofcom's rules...http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/mofaq/telecoms/nts/

Well, given the spectacular success of Ofcom in regulating the UK
market, the correct answer would be : "who cares ?"

"Andrew Gabriel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Jethro <[email protected]> writes:
>> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>>
>>
>> Last week O2 sent notifications to its subscribers informing them
>> that
>> calls to 0845, 0870 and 0800 (non-geographic) numbers would no longer
>> be included in bundled minutes. The company has now admitted that
>> this
>> change to its billing is significant and therefore enables customers
>> to get out of their existing contracts.
>
> So, how does this fit with Ofcom's rules...
> http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/mofaq/telecoms/nts/
>
am i missing something , why are o2 changing their conditions just
before this Ofcom proposal?

IanM



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

IanM wrote:
> "Andrew Gabriel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> In article <[email protected]>,
>> Jethro <[email protected]> writes:
>>> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>>>
>>>
>>> Last week O2 sent notifications to its subscribers informing them
>>> that
>>> calls to 0845, 0870 and 0800 (non-geographic) numbers would no longer
>>> be included in bundled minutes. The company has now admitted that
>>> this
>>> change to its billing is significant and therefore enables customers
>>> to get out of their existing contracts.
>> So, how does this fit with Ofcom's rules...
>> http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/mofaq/telecoms/nts/
>>
> am i missing something , why are o2 changing their conditions just
> before this Ofcom proposal?

Well, it does say "If providers wish to charge more for 0870 calls they
will have to make a free-to-caller price pre-announcement at the start
of the call."

So they can just have this announcement just as there are announcements
on some carriers when you call an 0800 number that isn't free.

--
Michael Hoffman

On Wed, 5 Sep 2007 14:49:07 +0100, RCC
<richard@mapson_cowling1.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>In message <[email protected]>,
>Jethro <[email protected]> writes
>>http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Customers who signed up prior to March should have received
>>notification of the new charges by text message; and they have one
>>month from the receipt of that message to get in touch with O2 if they
>>want to cancel their contract. O2 has told us that such requests will
>>be honoured, but only if received before the end of September.
>>
>Not had any notification yet ..... wonder how they will enforce their
>end Sept deadline or their charges.
>
>Are there any more of us who have not been told?

I've still not had any notification! Not that I'd lose my PUFFL all
time 50 contract for anything!

Neil

(Reply via NG please)

In message of Fri, 21 Sep 2007, Neil writes
>On Wed, 5 Sep 2007 14:49:07 +0100, RCC
><richard@mapson_cowling1.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
>>In message <[email protected]>,
>>Jethro <[email protected]> writes
>>>http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09...on_geographic/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Customers who signed up prior to March should have received
>>>notification of the new charges by text message; and they have one
>>>month from the receipt of that message to get in touch with O2 if they
>>>want to cancel their contract. O2 has told us that such requests will
>>>be honoured, but only if received before the end of September.
>>>
>>Not had any notification yet ..... wonder how they will enforce their
>>end Sept deadline or their charges.
>>
>>Are there any more of us who have not been told?
>
>I've still not had any notification! Not that I'd lose my PUFFL all
>time 50 contract for anything!
>

Same here, my wife and I each have a a PUFFL 50 and we also have one
PUFFL 200.

The trouble with PUFFL rates is the xnetwork charges - and you don't
always know what is xnet because of porting.

We only had one of those notified about the change.