In Hong Kong, a variety of access codes (e.g. 001, 00X, 00XY, where X and Y stand for numerals) for International Direct Dialling (IDD) services are offered by different service providers. As many consumers are aware that IDD service with "001" as the access code may incur higher rates, they have subscribed to the cheaper IDD services.
Currently, most of the IDD service providers offer both "001" and other IDD access codes. However, most of the providers do not deactivate "001" service (while keeping the IDD services with other access codes) for their customers. Under such circumstance, disputes may arise in the event of unintentional triggering of the more expensive service with the "001" access code. In these cases, customers intend to make IDD calls via their preferred (and registered) IDD service access codes because of lower charges. But the "001" code is triggered unintentionally, resulting in charges higher than that expected.
Therefore, if you want to make IDD calls overseas, you must key in the access code that you prefer every time or you can store the overseas (or Mainland) telephone numbers with the access codes in the "phonebook" of your telephone / handset. If you want to avoid being connected to the "001" service, please do not make quick dialing from the "Call History Record" or "Display of Incoming Calls" of your handsets. This is because the country code in these records are usually prefixed with "+", which represents "001". You should change "+" into your preferred access code (depending on whether your IDD service provider also provides IDD "001" service and services with other access codes, and whether "001" service could be deactivated automatically).
The following diagram illustrates how IDD calls are charged:
Remark: Not applicable to some service providers which do not offer IDD "001" service and those providers which do deactivate IDD "001" service (while keeping the IDD services with other access codes) for customers.
If in doubt, you should clarify the keying procedures with your service provider before using IDD services. You may also refer to the user information (such as leaflets, manuals on the use of services and web sites of the service providers) from time to time, so as to obtain the up-to-date information.
Office of the Communications Authority
1 April 2012