0800 calls set to be free from mobiles

Calls to numbers starting with 0800 are to be free from all phones, including mobiles, under proposals published by Ofcom.

Calling 0800 numbers from a mobile currently costs 40p a minute, and research by the watchdog found people paid 1.9 billion to call these numbers last year.

Ofcom wants to simplify prices to cut confusion over the cost of calls to non-geographic numbers starting 03, 08, 09 and 118. These are used by charities, government agencies and businesses.