A new loophole to vote for FREE on the X-Factor show is reported to have been a success. Apparantly thousands of people used it to avoid the high premium rate prices to vote for their favourite acts. Feedback has been generally positive but there were isolated reports suggesting that some voters were unable to vote.

The telephone company Free2call.tv, which provides a cheap calls service says the first week proved a success in that they handled nearly 10,000 calls over the weekend and 103,000 website impressions without any problems.

Free2call, provides local rate telephone numbers to call to place votes, instead of using the premium rate numbers provided by X-Factor, transferred 5000 votes on each night before the lines closed.  It did cap the amount of votes at 10,000 for the first voting of the talent show but states that it is hoping to increase the amount to 30,000 this week.

By dialling a 03 number from the Free2call.tv website and listen to a 15 second advert before being diverted to X-Factor's official lines. You only pay a local call rate to vote, but as 03 numbers are part of landline and mobile phones inclusive call packages, it could be a FREE call. Anyone without free calls packages would pay the cost of a local call, which is substantially less than the 35p a minute charge that the premium rate line costs. X-Factor don't lose out as the advertising revenue pays the full cost of the call.

Ofcom, telecoms regulator, reports that the service is compliant with the relevant rules therefore seems to be legitimate. X-Factor has confirmed that votes will be counted using the Free2call service provided callers hear the official voting confirmation at the end of the call. Personally I feel that premium rate line charges are outrageous and take full advantage of the public purse. It's about time someone gave them a run for their money. Free2call seems to be abiding to the law and adhering to the rules so why shouldn't we the public, take advantage of that?

Free2call have said that they may extend the service to other TV talent and reality shows with voting telephone numbers.