0871 Consultation - Important News

DonnyDave

bunking_off wrote: »

On 09, the rule is that if the call is likely to be more than 50p total call cost the pricing information has to be displayed. ...

The code of practice states:

5.7.5 Premium rate services which do not generally cost more than 50 pence are exempt from all ICSTIS requirements on pricing information, unless the services are:
a children’s services (see paragraph 7.5), or
b accessed by automated equipment (such as a burglar alarm or a modem operating in conjunction with software that causes a number to be dialled automatically when the user wishes to access the Internet), or
c subscription services (see paragraph 7.12).

I see what you mean. I think that the operative word here is "generally".

BritBrat

So if the call costs more that 50 pence can we complain if we were not notified?

Would it not be better if no notice is given that the maximum charge would be 50 pence.

bunking_off

Well this isn't my field, but if you saw an 090 number (or, when the rules are amended, 0871 number) which didn't have the standard small print about pricing next to it, and rang it incurring a bill of more than 50p, you would have grounds for a complaint.

As Dave said, the critical word is "generally". If the company could demonstrate that you truly were an exception, or if your originating telecoms provider was a niche one that had set a ridiculously abnormally high price for the number, then they'd get (probably) away with it. However, if they were routinely advertising the number without associated pricing information then they would be in trouble...typically £tensK with a ban on running services for a year later.

NB this is pricing information when a number is advertised, rather than pricing announcements on the call itself.

There's a difference on the proposed regulation for 0871 in that for complaints about over-length calls the complaint in the first place is supposed to go to the number holder then your telecoms provider rather than to ICSTIS directly, but if it was as serious as not providing the statutory pricing information I think they'd want to be involved straight away.

bbb_uk

This consultation closes tomorrow (28th).

bbb_uk

pingu wrote: »

more and more firms have started using 0871 numbers i was wondering why greedy XXXXXXXS

ICSTIS would try and have us believe that companies using 0871 are in it for the advanced network features, etc moreso than the revenue they can earn (some providers I've seen offer upto 6p/min).

Of course, if this was really the case then companies can use 0845 and have the same features.

BritBrat

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