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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • How can I contact BBC mobile?

    If you have a comment or suggestion about BBC mobile, or a question that isn't covered by these FAQ, please use the feedback form to get in touch.

    If you want to ask about a different aspect of the BBC (for example about a specific programme or news story), please see the following advice about contacting the BBC.

  • How can I get the BBC website on my phone?

    Type www.bbc.co.uk/mobile into your phone's internet browser, or use our step-by-step How To guide.

  • I'm having problems watching/listening - can you help?

  • How can I get BBC news on my mobile?

    We offer a range of news services, which should work on most mobile phones.

    To get the BBC News website on your mobile device, you can type www.bbc.co.uk/news into your phone's internet browser, or (if within the UK) text NEWS to 81010 and we'll send you a link to the site.

    We also offer:

  • How can I get BBC news or sports news sent to my mobile?

    If you're in the UK, you can get BBC News on your mobile. You can sign up to get breaking news sent by SMS or, if your phone supports email, by email.

    You can also get BBC Sport on your mobile or, if your phone supports email, get daily sport updates sent via email to your phone.

  • Can I see the full version of BBC online on my phone?

    Depending on your handset, you may be able to choose between two versions of the BBC website:

    • Standard mobile version - designed specially for mobile phones, with mobile-friendly video formats
    • Desktop version - the 'full' version of BBC online, as you'd see on a desktop computer. Note that some features (such as video) may not work on your phone.

    Choose your preferred version by following the 'Preferences' link at the bottom of most BBC mobile pages (such as news pages).

  • Can I customise the BBC mobile homepage to suit me?

    Yes - on most handsets. You can select the topics (eg news, sport, weather, entertainment) that you want to see, and arrange these in the order that you want. You can also set your location so that you get local news and/or weather.

    Find out how to customise your homepage.

  • Is it expensive to browse BBC on my mobile?

    It needn't be. The BBC doesn't charge you to look at content, so it depends on your network and tariff and what you want to look at. Generally, it costs only a few pence to look at a simple webpage, though audio and video will cost considerably more. If you're unsure you can check with your operator. However, there are ways to limit your costs to get BBC content as cheaply as possible.

  • How much does it cost to watch video content on my phone?

    Video content costs more to view than text because there's much more data to download. The cost depends on your network and tariff. If you watch a lot of video on your phone, there are ways to limit your costs to get BBC content as cheaply as possible.

  • How can I get BBC content as cheaply as possible?

    1. Use wi-fi - an increasing number of mobile phones now come with wi-fi built in. If you access BBC mobile via wi-fi, through a wireless connection at home or a wireless hotspot, you won't pay for data downloaded. If you're not sure whether your phone has wi-fi built in, contact the manufacturer or your network operator.
       
    2. Get a data bundle - you can sign up to a flat-rate or capped data package, so you pay a fixed amount each month for using the mobile internet. This will limit your monthly spend on browsing the mobile internet and downloading video clips, especially if you do this a lot. Contact your network operator to find out what they offer.
       
    3. Use a desktop computer - video clips on BBC mobile are also available online at the desktop version of the website. For example, a video on the Doctor Who mobile site can also be viewed on the Doctor Who website. Sometimes, you can download the file to your mobile to watch on the move.
       
    4. Use Bluetooth - this is a way to send messages between nearby phones. Many of the BBC's audio and video clips are not 'locked'. This means they can be sent via Bluetooth to other phones, so you can share them with your friends! You can also share these files by 'sideloading' to another phone.

  • How much does it cost to send a text message to the BBC?

    SMS (text messages) sent to the BBC cost between 10p and 15p, depending on your network and what the message is for. Whenever you're invited to send an SMS to the BBC, we'll tell you how much it costs and, where relevant, what you'll get back.

    Please note that texts to shortcode numbers such as 81010 won't come out of your text bundle (inclusive monthly text messages).

    Some messages that we send you, such as confirmation or reminder messages, will be paid for by the BBC. These will be clearly labelled as free messages so you will know that you haven't been charged.

    Please note that you can't current send text messages to/from BBC shortcodes if you're with Jersey Telecom.

  • I don't want to get any more text messages from the BBC

    If you've subscribed to a BBC SMS (text message) service, such as BBC News Alerts, you can find information about how to unsubscribe on the FAQ page for the service.

    Generally, you can unsubscribe by replying to the message with the word STOP.

  • I'm with Jersey Telecom. Why can't I text you?

    Unfortunately, Jersey Telecom no longer supports Premium SMS. This means that phones connected via Jersey Telecom won't be able to send or receive any messages to/from shortcodes such as 81010.

    If you try to send us a message via one of these shortcodes, the message won't be sent and you won't be charged.

  • Can I get BBC iPlayer on my mobile?

    Please see the BBC iPlayer help pages for the latest information about which mobile phones can access BBC iPlayer.

  • Why do you tell me I'm outside the UK when I'm not?

    Sometimes even though you're in the UK it's possible you may see a message saying you're not - and you won't be able to watch video clips or programmes.

    This could be because your phone is on a foreign-based network, or your network operator may temporarily be diverting you to one of its overseas connections.

    Sometimes it's just a simple network error, so try closing your browser or router and re-opening it.

    Make sure you're using your phone's default browser - some add-on browsers such as Opera Mini may route internet connections overseas.

    If you're on a public wi-fi network, eg on a train, these may also route your connection overseas. Try again later on another network.

    If you're using a BlackBerry device, try using the BlackBerry shortcuts to access BBC mobile site. To download these, follow the 'Shortcuts for BlackBerry' link on the BBC Mobile homepage.

    Otherwise, the best thing to do is contact your network operator or ISP and ask them to check that your IP address is registered as in the UK.

  • I've had an email/SMS saying I've won a BBC Mobile lottery - is it true?

    Sorry, but no.

    We're aware that some people have received emails or text messages telling them that they've won a 'BBC Mobile' lottery or cash prize. These messages have absolutely nothing to do with the BBC and no such competition exists.

    We believe that these messages are a scam and would strongly recommend against replying to them.

Jargon Buster

WHAT IS SIDELOADING?

Sideloading means transferring data between two different devices, often where one is a mobile phone. For example, you can download pictures, music or video files from a website to a desktop computer then 'sideload' them to your mobile phone to use on the move.

WHAT IS BLUETOOTH?

Bluetooth is a type of wireless connection that allows nearby devices, such as mobile phones, to swap data. The name comes from the story of Harald Bluetooth, a Viking ruler who was famed for his bridge building!

WHAT IS WI-FI?

Wireless Fidelity (also known as Wireless Local Area Network or WLAN) provides short-range, high-speed connections for mobile devices.

WHAT DOES 3G MEAN?

3G stands for Third Generation and refers to mobile technology that gives a faster connection to the Internet.


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