Your thoughts for Ofcom

MSE_Martin · 2 October 2008 at 5:30PM

I'm meeting with Ofcom later this month to give thoughts and feedback on the state of play and impact on all things communications related (similar to the meeting with Ofgem). I've obviously got my own list - but would love to know any issues you have that can be raised with it.

Ofcom is the regulator so this is about systemic issues rather than individual problems.

Thanks Martin

Browntoa · 2 October 2008 at 7:28PM

the proposal that is still hanging around by Sky to encrypt their freeview channels , devaluing the FREE alternative and opening the door to others to do the same.Surely there should be protection for those who cannot afford premium pay TV and rely on Freeview for their viewing ??

whats the point of Freeview if it ends up with only 4 or 5 free channels , and if there are different encryptions by different broadcasters then maybe the need for several different boxes/cards

Heinz · 2 October 2008 at 7:34PM

Two main items, in order of priority:

(1). Why are CPS calls providers like Sky who, it appears, are now buying a different calls package from BT Wholesale allowed to ignore the use of the 1280 prefix which should enable a subscriber who still pays line rental to BT Retail to 'hop back onto BT' for an individual call? This prevents those renting a line from BT Retail from using the Unlimited Weekend Plan (free weekend calls of up to an hour to UK 01, 02 and 03 numbers) for which they pay as part of their package and can result in them being charged by BT Retail for Caller Display and/or 1571 because they've been prevented from making the required numnber of chargeable or inclusive calls via BT to get those free.

There's a very interesting post from YoungNick about this matter HERE which you may find contains some useful ammunition for you when you meet Ofcom.

(2). Why are the UK cellular companies allowed to get away with charging (anything, let alone premium rates) for calling freephone numbers?

Apart from those, I'd like to know:

(a). When the heck are 0870 numbers going to, as promised, cost the same as 01 and 02 numbers to call?

(b). When are all users of 070 (so-called 'personal numbers') going to be moved to the 06 number range so confusion (and associated scams) with UK mobile numbers ends.

(c). The growing use by GPs' surgeries and the like of 0844 numbers is clearly not a matter for Ofcom BUT it doesn't take long to find references to 'local rate' or 'low-call rate' or price-comparisons using pre-VAT calls costs Vs. post VAT calls costs. Surely the regulator has the power to prevent such 'manipulation' of the truth?

I'm sure they'll try the, "Ah, we're consulting on those matters" response but please try to get past that civil servants' nonsense.

Browntoa · 2 October 2008 at 7:34PM

why have Ofcom not yet made the cable companies open up their network to rivals like BT has to ??

surely if there is to be FULL competition in the market place then surely the time has come to allow ALL operators equal and fair access to ALL networks

deklan99 · 3 October 2008 at 7:49AM

What happened to the new migration guidelines which were to be published earlier this year? They were to clarify some things regarding non-standard broadband migrations. In particular how exactly you can migrate from full LLU ie. TalkTalk, Tiscali, to any ISP on BT's network and any voice provider without going via BT. "reverse migration" or "return to donor" are two phrases that crop up but there's no definite info about this anywhere.

redux · 3 October 2008 at 1:21PM

Heinz wrote: »

Two main items, in order of priority:

(1). Why are CPS calls providers like Sky who, it appears, are now buying a different calls package from BT Wholesale allowed to ignore the use of the 1280 prefix which should enable a subscriber who still pays line rental to BT Retail to 'hop back onto BT' for an individual call? This prevents those renting a line from BT Retail from [...]

There's a very interesting post from YoungNick about this matter HERE which you may find contains some useful ammunition for you when you meet Ofcom.

And I've added to that, pointing out that in this house the BT subscriber and the BB/CPS subscriber are not the same person (which is allowed, with permission). In theory we could have third and more people with other contracts e.g 18185 [but actually me].

So the hypothetical point arises that if one supplier changes T&C to do this, they may derogate from even a different person's contract with a different company.

It has added impact for some people, as some of those companies with captive customers seem by coincidence to be shoving upwards tariffs for 0844 and 0871 calls at the moment

deklan99 · 3 October 2008 at 1:29PM

"What happened to the new migration guidelines which were to be published earlier this year?"

Just noticed new " Best Practice Guide" has been published - http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/products/migrations/migrations.do

Former_MSE_Archna · 3 October 2008 at 3:46PM

Heinz wrote: »

Two main items, in order of priority:

(1). Why are CPS calls providers like Sky who, it appears, are now buying a different calls package from BT Wholesale allowed to ignore the use of the 1280 prefix which should enable a subscriber who still pays line rental to BT Retail to 'hop back onto BT' for an individual call? This prevents those renting a line from BT Retail from using the Unlimited Weekend Plan (free weekend calls of up to an hour to UK 01, 02 and 03 numbers) for which they pay as part of their package and can result in them being charged by BT Retail for Caller Display and/or 1571 because they've been prevented from making the required numnber of chargeable or inclusive calls via BT to get those free.

There's a very interesting post from YoungNick about this matter HERE which you may find contains some useful ammunition for you when you meet Ofcom.

Hi Heinz,

That's something we're looking into at the moment.

Former_MSE_Archna · 3 October 2008 at 3:46PM

Thanks for all the feedback, links and suggestions - keep it coming.

Incisor · 3 October 2008 at 5:28PM

Monthly Direct Debit payments - this applies to all utilities. It would remove a lot of irritation if they published the exact method of calculating a monthly payment. At the moment, it appears to be a random number generation process more aligned to setting the payment as high as they think they can get away with.

MSE_Martin · 3 October 2008 at 6:49PM

Hi folks,

This is great to see. I note many of the notes above come from telecommers - who have great knowledge (and we want that).

Yet if there are more obvious issues out there too - that often pop up here (Heinz I suspect you know the key issues more than anyone) do let us know.

The anology for energy is "My Direct Debit is too high but they won't let me lower it" in some ways this simple problem is one of the most important.

Martin

Your thoughts for Ofcom

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free