Unable to call 0800/0860 numbers with contract minutes

ginggs

ginggs

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I'm trying to call a toll-free number but I keep hearing the following message:
If you are on pre-paid please recharge, if on contract, dial 140 to ask for a limit increase
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I'm on a Straight Up 100 Top Up contract and have over four hours of free minutes available. What is the problem?
 
Well that is your problem..... I complained to cellc about this many times.

Your free minutes ONLY works for calls to other networks. 0800,0861,0860 and other special numbers are chargable calls that are charged to the airtime if you are on prepaid or hybrid and added as extra call charges if you are on a openline.

So if you load airtime you will most likely be charged 99c per minute to the toll free 0800 number.
 
cavedog said:
Well that is your problem..... I complained to cellc about this many times.

Your free minutes ONLY works for calls to other networks. 0800,0861,0860 and other special numbers are chargable calls that are charged to the airtime if you are on prepaid or hybrid and added as extra call charges if you are on a openline.

So if you load airtime you will most likely be charged 99c per minute to the toll free 0800 number.
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:eek:

@Cell_C: Is this true?
 
Rocket Raccoon said:
I always thought it was free from a landline and that mobile SPs still charge you.
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Me too, however what is happening here is Cell-C seem to be preventing me from making the call even though I have "free" minutes (that I pay for in my contract subscription) available.
 
Here is where I do not understand why CellC charges for it and a very good example.....

R100 prepaid voucher loaded on a prepaid sim can call a 0800 number and talk for 100min +-

R100 per month Topup/Hybrid or Openline contract gives you 100min to any network but you can't call any 0800,0861,0860 numbers with that minutes....

What is the point of having the contract then? I mean you will actually be better off buying R100 airtime on prepaid and can call ANY number with it than paying that same R100 for minutes that can ONLY call other networks.

I understand that 0861 and 0860 is shared numbers but then why don't they just charge more minutes when calling those numbers? They do it for the prepaid sim. The 0861 and 0860 numbers are charged @ R1.99 per minute I think.

Sadly this is not limited to CellC only and applies to any contract that is minute based like vodacom smart and MTN Choice contracts. MTN Anytime contracts with airtime value may use that inclusive airtime to call 0861,0860 and 0800 numbers.
 
Cavedog - are you asking the question? surely you understand how telecoms work in this country?
Shafting the man on the street is their no1 priority.
 
Here are the relevant bits from the T&Cs:
5. All Packages include the following in-bundle benefits: minutes, SMS's and data, for national usage only to be used any time and on any network.
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8. If a customer makes any national calls, sends SMS's or uses data, such calls, SMS's and data will be deducted from the included benefits first, until depleted. Thereafter, the customer will be billed for out of bundle usage.
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The only exception seems to be international calls:
10. The customer's inclusive minutes, SMS and data will not apply to calls, SMS's/MMS's to international numbers when the customer is dialling from South Africa. The customer will be billed separately (at the applicable rates) for calls to international numbers.
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Toll-free numbers are subsidised by the network they are hosted on. (and paid for by the owners of the number instead of the person calling to them).

Therefore a Telkom toll free number is only free when calling from a Telkom number...at any other time it's a charged call.

It's exactly the same as calling your Voicemail or other short code numbers from your cellphone provider.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Toll-free numbers are subsidised by the network they are hosted on. (and paid for by the owners of the number instead of the person calling to them).

Therefore a Telkom toll free number is only free when calling from a Telkom number...at any other time it's a charged call.

It's exactly the same as calling your Voicemail or other short code numbers from your cellphone provider.
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It is not specified as such in the T & C's (see the link in an earlier post).
 
MickeyD said:
It is not specified as such in the T & C's (see the link in an earlier post).
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Don't see any link but this has been common knowledge since cellphones first arrived in this country that you can't call toll free number s from them (for free) and that free minutes don't apply either.

Maybe 15+ years with cellphones has just been too long and "new" people need to be made aware of these things.
 
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