It appears that o2 and BT have finally caved in and allowed Apple to add the 0870 application to the iTunes App Store.

iPhone users can now benefit from the cost savings on calls from mobiles previously enjoyed by Android users.

The 0870 app turns 08* numbers, such as 0870, 0845 and 0800, which cost 35 pence a minute to call, into 01* or 02* numbers which come out of your allowance or are very cheap to call on PAYG.

The free app is available to download now and is apparently supported by small and unobtrusive adverts in the footer.

The developer Simon Maddox was initially told by Apple that o2 and BT would not be happy to see this service on the iPhone. Understandable given the networks high charges for dialling 08* numbers. But why it was OK on Android is unclear apart from the different mobile network involved.

However his perseverance and Apple’s cooperation paid off when o2 finally gave the go ahead and Apple approved the app for inclusion in the iTunes App store.