BT to introduce free pre-call announcements on 070 numbers

Customers making calls on the BT network are to be protected against unwittingly incurring high charges on personal numbers - which start with 070 and can be confused with mobile numbers.

From Saturday (1 September), anyone who dials one of the 070 personal numbers that charges more than 20p a minute will hear a free pre-call announcement from BT.

It will advise them that it is a personal number and the maximum charges that they may incur. They can then choose whether to allow the call to connect.

People use personal numbers - which carry a premium rate - to route calls to almost any phone, including mobiles. But the regulator wants to clamp down on scams where callers can be charged thousands of pounds.

BT has put the announcements on its network following a ruling from Ofcom which wants to increase consumer protection from services which abuse personal numbers.

“Calls to personal numbers can cost up to 51p a minute,” said Sean Hartley, BT number translations services and direct conveyance product manager.

“If you call an 070 number thinking it’s a mobile, you may be in for a nasty shock when you receive your phone bill. The pre-call announcement warns you of the potential cost up front, and allows you to make an informed choice as to whether or not you wish to make that call.”

Regards
Sunil