of course it is. The only real reason is that they wanna earn the $ $ $ on their own network...

Interesting to know congstar still allows calls to the betamax access numbers though! I wonder for how much longer!

As for the 'blocked' betamax access numbers from other networks, a while ago I heard on the rumour-mill that were a range of 'unpublished' betamax access numbers for this very reason! Not sure if that is the case for Germany!

For Eplus this is NOT correct. I call the Berlin access numbers of Betamax almost daily without any problems from my Eplus line.

Yep, i can confirm that the access numbers e.g. from smsdiscount work fine from a BASE flatrate card on eplus network.

Chris

It appears that the Betamax numbers are now reachable from Eplus.

I am going to Berlin next week and was thinking of buying one of the Tchibo SIMs with USB internet: Tchibo - Internet Stick inkl. Prepaid SIM-Karte

I understand that Tchibo uses O2, and Tchibo has a flatrate to landlines of 12.95 EUR per month. However, it has been poste here the O2 cannot dial the Betamax number. However, it appears that things can change, given that Eplus can not dial Betamax.

Can anyone in Germany who has O2 (or Tchibo) try dialing the Betamax access number at 03031190303 and see if it now works? Thanks.

Eplus access to Betamax numbers (in Berlin at least) was never blocked in the first place. Inquisitor did make assumptions.

To state facts: I just tried Tchibo and that number IS blocked.

the number is even blocked on our o2 company contract SIM cards (where we pay per minute to landlines...).

Chris

There's a list of access numbers and there accessibility through German MNOs at o2_nummernsperre - Google Docs. It wasn't updated since December, but aparently I was wrong when I stated eplus would block Betamax access numbers.

Perhaps it's the American lawyer in me, but....
from everything I have read, Germany has some very pro-consumer rules re mobiles (e.g., right to refund of prepaid balance.) Given that the chart that Inquisitor has linked shows that O2 blocks many discount dialing numbers, perhaps someone in Germany should file a complaint with the governmental entity that regulates cell phones regarding the O2 practices?

Those consumer protection organizations are sueing providers permanently, but the blocking to those access numbers seems to be legal, as there are corresponding clauses in the terms & conditions of O2 limiting usage to direct calling, which justifies those blockages.