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Calling Non-geographic Numbers, A Guide to
Ian011
Posts: 2,432 Forumite
Non-geographic numbers are all the UK numbers other than geographic area codes starting 01 and 02 and standard mobile numbers starting 071 to 075 and 077 to 079. They typically start 03, 08 or 09.
Non-geographic numbers allow service providers to offer interactive menu options and queue incoming calls. They also allow calls to be routed dynamically to different locations based on network loading, caller location, time of day or from options selected by the caller. These additional features have to be paid for. Sometimes the service provider pays for these features (03, 080) and sometimes the cost is added on to what the caller pays (070, 084, 087, 09, 118). Some non-geographic numbers can provide an income for the service provider and are used to provide a chargeable service, paid for as the call is being made (084, 087, 09, 118). These additional charges are added to the call price and, from 1 July 2015, will be separately declared. Some numbers cost the same to call as an ordinary landline number (03) while other numbers are free to call (080). In the latter case, the service provider is paying a bit extra in order to compensate the caller's provider for that fact the caller is paying nothing for the call.
New regulations put in place over the last few years require various business sectors to use certain types of numbers or to avoid using certain types of numbers.
This article details the types of numbers used for various purposes and what to do when the applicable regulations appear to have been violated.
Note: There are significant industry-wide changes being made to the way call charges for 084, 087, 090, 091, 098 and 118 numbers are displayed on and after 1 July 2015. Additional information is available from Ofcom's ukcalling.info website.
Calls with standard charges
Calling retailers, traders and passenger transport companies about a previous purchase
These calls will usually be on 01, 02, 03 or 080 numbers.
The EU has ruled that certain types of business can no longer charge existing customers extra when they call about a previous purchase. The Consumer Rights Directive was published in October 2011 and Article 21 covers the cost of post-sales telephone calls. In the UK, this was implemented as Regulation 41 of the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and came into force on 13 June 2014.
Retailers, traders and passenger transport companies must advertise a "basic rate", i.e. 01, 02, 03 or, from 1 July 2015, 080 number for any phone line used for post sales activities. This covers all post sales activities, not just complaints. Section J of the BIS implementation guidelines contains further details.
The new regulation has resulted in a mass migration from 084 and 087 numbers over to either the matching 034 or 037 number or to a new 01, 02, 033 or 080 number. It is now a rarity to find an 084, 087 or 09 number being advertised for these services.
Where an 084 or 087 number still appears to be advertised, always try calling the matching 034 or 037 number first, just in case the information you have is out of date.
Where a business genuinely continues to use and advertise a non-compliant number, Regulation 41 entitles the caller to reclaim any excess call costs over "basic rate". Where the caller has inclusive calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers the entire call cost can be reclaimed from the service provider.
Breaches of the regulations can also be reported to Trading Standards via the Citizen's Advice national Consumer Helpline on 0345 404 0506.
Calling government departments and public services
These calls will usually be on 01, 02, 0300 or 0345 numbers. Occasionally, 0370 or 080 numbers are used.
The government has recently banned itself from using 084 and 087 phone lines. It is inappropriate for callers to be charged extra when accessing services already funded through taxation.
Cabinet Office guidance to this effect was published on 26 December 2013. As a result, most government departments and public services have recently swapped their 0845 and 0870 lines over to cheaper 0300 and 0345 numbers.
A number of third-party websites continue to advertise out of date numbers. Be sure to check the official website of the department or service in question to ensure you call the correct number.
As before, where an 084 or 087 number continues to be advertised, try replacing the prefix with 034 or 037, e.g. 0845 becomes 0345. In most cases this already works. Where it does not, it may be useful to complain to the service and to your MP or, for local services, your local council.
Calling healthcare services
These calls will usually be on 01, 02, 0300, 0344 or 0345 numbers. Occasionally, 080 numbers are used.
"NHS Directions" issued by the Department of Health in December 2009 ban the use of 084 numbers throughout the NHS. The deadline for compliance was December 2010. A ban on the use of 087 and 09 numbers took effect way back in 2005.
Most services have long ago moved to replacement 030 or 034 numbers or to standard geographic numbers.
GP contracts in England and Wales were amended in April 2010 to ban the use of 084 numbers. A ban on the use of 087 and 09 numbers took effect way back in 2005.
Remaining non-compliant GP practices in England were sent a letter in November 2013 reminding them of their contractual obligations.
Where an NHS service continues to use a non-compliant number you can complain to the service in question as well as your local MP.
Calling financial services
These calls will be on a variety of numbers, increasingly those starting 01, 02, 03 and 080.
Although aware of the consumer protection regulation that now applies to businesses, the Financial Conduct Authority has not yet produced similar regulation for the financial sector. A consultation on this subject ran from December 2014 until March 2015 and the FCA plans to introduce regulation in the summer of 2015.
Most banks have realised what they need to do and many have already started to action the required changes. As of April 2015, out of 16 well-known banks, ten already advertise 0345 (or 0370) numbers, two have freephone numbers, and only four continue to advertise 0845 numbers. In those latter four cases, alternative "calling from abroad" numbers can easily be found, so avoiding the expense of calling the 0845 numbers.
The insurance industry doggedly clings on to 084 and 087 numbers, especially for claims lines. In many such cases, alternative landline numbers can be found through websites such as sayNOto0870 or by using an app.
Ofcom's forthcoming changes to non-geographic call pricing coming into effect in July 2015 may well force the remaining users to migrate their numbers to the 03 range before the FCA regulations come into effect.
Calling sales and enquiry lines
These calls will usually be on 01, 02, 03 or 080 numbers.
As of April 2015, some businesses continue to use 084 or 087 numbers for their sales lines. In many such cases, alternative landline numbers can be found through websites such as sayNOto0870 or by using an app.
For those 084 and 087 numbers still in use after 1 July 2015, they will be required to declare the Service Charge that applies to their number wherever that number is advertised. This requirement should cause a rethink about the usage of Service Charge Numbers where no chargeable service is being provided.
As more and more businesses migrate their 084 and 087 sales lines over to the matching 034 or 037 number or to a new 01, 02, 033 or 080 number, the need to look for alternative numbers will continue to decline.
Finding replacement numbers
When confronted with a requirement to call an expensive 084 or 087 number being used for an inappropriate purpose, many people have turned to sites such as sayNOto0870 or to various apps to look for an alternative number which will be cheaper to call.
With more and more services moving to cheaper 03 numbers these sites are becoming increasingly redundant. However, they remain useful for those rare occasions where an organisation still presents only an 084 or 087 number in their advertising, for which the usage is inappropriate, e.g. a customer service line, and the matching 034 or 037 number does not yet work.
Avoiding fake numbers
Beware that there are a number of unofficial websites designed to trick you.
These websites advertise expensive 084, 087 and 09 numbers which they themselves own and make a profit from but which are advertised as 'connection services' for various third-party businesses and organisations.
Most of these fake numbers are advertised as customer service lines for well known retailers, traders and financial service organisations or for various government departments and helplines. There are also some fake listings for healthcare services.
When you call the fake number you are usually put through to the right organisation, but you will be paying a premium rate for a call that would have been much cheaper had you called the organisation by using their official 01, 02, 03 or 080 number.
Avoid calling these fake 084, 087 and 09 numbers by looking up the correct telephone number on the organisation's official website. Increasingly this will be an 01, 02, 03 or 080 number.
Calls with additional charges
Calling chargeable services
These calls are mainly on 084, 087, 090 and 091 numbers.
Chargeable services are those that are paid for as the call is being made. The call price includes an additional Service Charge component that is passed on to the service provider. Calls to these numbers therefore do not count towards inclusive allowances. Many of these numbers cannot usually be called from abroad.
Chargeable services include
Where a service provider using an 084, 087, 090 or 091 number with a Service Charge of up to 7p per minute or per call fails to declare the Service Charge, callers can complain to the Advertising Standards Authority.
Where a service provider using an 087, 090 or 091 number with a Service Charge of more than 7p per minute or per call (or is a chat line with any level of Service Charge) fails to declare the Service Charge, callers can complain to PhonepayPlus. These numbers are regulated as Controlled Premium Rate Services.
Calling adult entertainment services
Regulation restricts new adult entertainment services to using numbers starting 098. Additionally, a small number of services are allowed to continue using older 0908 and 0909 numbers.
The call price includes an additional Service Charge component that is passed on to the service provider. Calls to these numbers therefore do not count towards inclusive allowances. These numbers cannot be called from abroad.
From 1 July 2015, the cost of calling these numbers will become much more clear. Ofcom requires each service provider to declare the Service Charge wherever their telephone number is advertised and mention that the caller's provider will add their Access Charge.
Under the new system, it will be much easier to directly compare their prices. Where an adult entertainment service provider fails to declare the Service Charge, callers can complain to PhonepayPlus. These numbers are regulated as Controlled Premium Rate Services.
Calling directory enquiry services
Directory enquiry services use numbers starting 118.
The call price includes an additional Service Charge component that is passed on to the service provider. Calls to these numbers therefore do not count towards inclusive allowances. Numbers for UK-based 118 services cannot be called from abroad.
From 1 July 2015, the cost of calling these numbers will become much more clear. Ofcom requires each service provider to declare the Service Charge wherever their telephone number is advertised and mention that the caller's provider will add their Access Charge.
Under the new system, it will be much easier to directly compare their prices. Where a directory enquiries service provider fails to declare their Service Charge, callers can complain to PhonepayPlus. These numbers are regulated as Controlled Premium Rate Services.
Once they have found the number for you, many of these services offer to put you through. Be aware that if they do this, the rest of the call will continue to incur the additional Service Charge. It is usually much cheaper to hang up and then dial the number yourself.
In many cases, and especially so for businesses, their telephone numbers can be looked up online at little or no cost.
Calling freephone numbers
Calls to freephone numbers starting 0800, 0808 and 0500 are free on landlines and on some mobile networks.
Calls to 080 numbers, but NOT to 0500 numbers, become free from all mobile networks on 1 July 2015.
Most mobile networks currently charge for these calls. Various unofficial services have sprung up to help callers avoid those charges. Some of these services provide a landline access number allowing the caller to onwards dial the required freephone number. This call uses your inclusive minutes or is charged at geographic rate.
Calls to 080 numbers become free from all mobile phones on 1 July 2015. Continuing to use the various alternative number services and apps after that date will end up costing you more than if the freephone number were dialled direct.
Due to declining usage of 0500 numbers, Ofcom is closing the 0500 range and moving all users over to new matching 0808 5 numbers. The final six digits of the telephone number remain the same, e.g. 0500 123456 becomes 0808 512 3456. The new number is one digit longer than the old.
This move implements Ofcom's policy that all freephone numbers should start 080 and must be completed by 3 June 2017. When calling an 0500 number, be sure to listen for any announcement detailing a change of number.
Calling personal or 'find me' numbers
Although they start with 07, it is important to note that 070 numbers are NOT mobile phone numbers. These are personal or 'find me' numbers.
The caller's landline or mobile provider has to pay an additional fee to the service provider to subsidise the provision of the service. This means calls to these numbers cost considerably more than those made to standard mobile numbers. Calls to these numbers do NOT count towards inclusive allowances. 070 numbers are classed as Controlled Premium Rate Services and are regulated by PhonepayPlus.
Some hospitals use 070 numbers for the bedside telephones used by patients. These are very expensive to call. In most cases the patient would be better off using a cheap mobile phone. Some providers offer free calls to mobile numbers on the same network.
Ofcom will review the usage and pricing of 070 numbers in 2016 along with numbers starting 055, 056 and 076.
Calling mobile shortcodes
Mobile shortcodes generally start with a 6, 7 or 8 and may be between five and seven digits long. Calls and texts to these numbers do not count towards inclusive allowances.
Most mobile shortcodes are classed as Controlled Premium Rate Services and come under additional regulation by PhonepayPlus.
Mobile shortcodes are used by various automated and interactive services, including
When calling a voting line, the number you call is the advertised five digit shortcode plus a further two digits to indicate your choice. When the call is answered, you'll hear a brief recorded message confirming your vote has been counted and you then hang up.
It is important to note that these numbers can only be called from mobile phones. They cannot be called from a landline. The call cost is usually the same irrespective of which mobile network the call is made from.
See also
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5219071
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5220589
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5292529
Non-geographic numbers allow service providers to offer interactive menu options and queue incoming calls. They also allow calls to be routed dynamically to different locations based on network loading, caller location, time of day or from options selected by the caller. These additional features have to be paid for. Sometimes the service provider pays for these features (03, 080) and sometimes the cost is added on to what the caller pays (070, 084, 087, 09, 118). Some non-geographic numbers can provide an income for the service provider and are used to provide a chargeable service, paid for as the call is being made (084, 087, 09, 118). These additional charges are added to the call price and, from 1 July 2015, will be separately declared. Some numbers cost the same to call as an ordinary landline number (03) while other numbers are free to call (080). In the latter case, the service provider is paying a bit extra in order to compensate the caller's provider for that fact the caller is paying nothing for the call.
New regulations put in place over the last few years require various business sectors to use certain types of numbers or to avoid using certain types of numbers.
This article details the types of numbers used for various purposes and what to do when the applicable regulations appear to have been violated.
Note: There are significant industry-wide changes being made to the way call charges for 084, 087, 090, 091, 098 and 118 numbers are displayed on and after 1 July 2015. Additional information is available from Ofcom's ukcalling.info website.
Calls with standard charges
Calling retailers, traders and passenger transport companies about a previous purchase
These calls will usually be on 01, 02, 03 or 080 numbers.
The EU has ruled that certain types of business can no longer charge existing customers extra when they call about a previous purchase. The Consumer Rights Directive was published in October 2011 and Article 21 covers the cost of post-sales telephone calls. In the UK, this was implemented as Regulation 41 of the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and came into force on 13 June 2014.
Retailers, traders and passenger transport companies must advertise a "basic rate", i.e. 01, 02, 03 or, from 1 July 2015, 080 number for any phone line used for post sales activities. This covers all post sales activities, not just complaints. Section J of the BIS implementation guidelines contains further details.
The new regulation has resulted in a mass migration from 084 and 087 numbers over to either the matching 034 or 037 number or to a new 01, 02, 033 or 080 number. It is now a rarity to find an 084, 087 or 09 number being advertised for these services.
Where an 084 or 087 number still appears to be advertised, always try calling the matching 034 or 037 number first, just in case the information you have is out of date.
Where a business genuinely continues to use and advertise a non-compliant number, Regulation 41 entitles the caller to reclaim any excess call costs over "basic rate". Where the caller has inclusive calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers the entire call cost can be reclaimed from the service provider.
Breaches of the regulations can also be reported to Trading Standards via the Citizen's Advice national Consumer Helpline on 0345 404 0506.
Calling government departments and public services
These calls will usually be on 01, 02, 0300 or 0345 numbers. Occasionally, 0370 or 080 numbers are used.
The government has recently banned itself from using 084 and 087 phone lines. It is inappropriate for callers to be charged extra when accessing services already funded through taxation.
Cabinet Office guidance to this effect was published on 26 December 2013. As a result, most government departments and public services have recently swapped their 0845 and 0870 lines over to cheaper 0300 and 0345 numbers.
A number of third-party websites continue to advertise out of date numbers. Be sure to check the official website of the department or service in question to ensure you call the correct number.
As before, where an 084 or 087 number continues to be advertised, try replacing the prefix with 034 or 037, e.g. 0845 becomes 0345. In most cases this already works. Where it does not, it may be useful to complain to the service and to your MP or, for local services, your local council.
Calling healthcare services
These calls will usually be on 01, 02, 0300, 0344 or 0345 numbers. Occasionally, 080 numbers are used.
"NHS Directions" issued by the Department of Health in December 2009 ban the use of 084 numbers throughout the NHS. The deadline for compliance was December 2010. A ban on the use of 087 and 09 numbers took effect way back in 2005.
Most services have long ago moved to replacement 030 or 034 numbers or to standard geographic numbers.
GP contracts in England and Wales were amended in April 2010 to ban the use of 084 numbers. A ban on the use of 087 and 09 numbers took effect way back in 2005.
Remaining non-compliant GP practices in England were sent a letter in November 2013 reminding them of their contractual obligations.
Where an NHS service continues to use a non-compliant number you can complain to the service in question as well as your local MP.
Calling financial services
These calls will be on a variety of numbers, increasingly those starting 01, 02, 03 and 080.
Although aware of the consumer protection regulation that now applies to businesses, the Financial Conduct Authority has not yet produced similar regulation for the financial sector. A consultation on this subject ran from December 2014 until March 2015 and the FCA plans to introduce regulation in the summer of 2015.
Most banks have realised what they need to do and many have already started to action the required changes. As of April 2015, out of 16 well-known banks, ten already advertise 0345 (or 0370) numbers, two have freephone numbers, and only four continue to advertise 0845 numbers. In those latter four cases, alternative "calling from abroad" numbers can easily be found, so avoiding the expense of calling the 0845 numbers.
The insurance industry doggedly clings on to 084 and 087 numbers, especially for claims lines. In many such cases, alternative landline numbers can be found through websites such as sayNOto0870 or by using an app.
Ofcom's forthcoming changes to non-geographic call pricing coming into effect in July 2015 may well force the remaining users to migrate their numbers to the 03 range before the FCA regulations come into effect.
Calling sales and enquiry lines
These calls will usually be on 01, 02, 03 or 080 numbers.
As of April 2015, some businesses continue to use 084 or 087 numbers for their sales lines. In many such cases, alternative landline numbers can be found through websites such as sayNOto0870 or by using an app.
For those 084 and 087 numbers still in use after 1 July 2015, they will be required to declare the Service Charge that applies to their number wherever that number is advertised. This requirement should cause a rethink about the usage of Service Charge Numbers where no chargeable service is being provided.
As more and more businesses migrate their 084 and 087 sales lines over to the matching 034 or 037 number or to a new 01, 02, 033 or 080 number, the need to look for alternative numbers will continue to decline.
Finding replacement numbers
When confronted with a requirement to call an expensive 084 or 087 number being used for an inappropriate purpose, many people have turned to sites such as sayNOto0870 or to various apps to look for an alternative number which will be cheaper to call.
With more and more services moving to cheaper 03 numbers these sites are becoming increasingly redundant. However, they remain useful for those rare occasions where an organisation still presents only an 084 or 087 number in their advertising, for which the usage is inappropriate, e.g. a customer service line, and the matching 034 or 037 number does not yet work.
Avoiding fake numbers
Beware that there are a number of unofficial websites designed to trick you.
These websites advertise expensive 084, 087 and 09 numbers which they themselves own and make a profit from but which are advertised as 'connection services' for various third-party businesses and organisations.
Most of these fake numbers are advertised as customer service lines for well known retailers, traders and financial service organisations or for various government departments and helplines. There are also some fake listings for healthcare services.
When you call the fake number you are usually put through to the right organisation, but you will be paying a premium rate for a call that would have been much cheaper had you called the organisation by using their official 01, 02, 03 or 080 number.
Avoid calling these fake 084, 087 and 09 numbers by looking up the correct telephone number on the organisation's official website. Increasingly this will be an 01, 02, 03 or 080 number.
Calls with additional charges
Calling chargeable services
These calls are mainly on 084, 087, 090 and 091 numbers.
Chargeable services are those that are paid for as the call is being made. The call price includes an additional Service Charge component that is passed on to the service provider. Calls to these numbers therefore do not count towards inclusive allowances. Many of these numbers cannot usually be called from abroad.
Chargeable services include
- recorded information lines such as travel information, weather forecasts, horoscopes and sports results
- chatlines
- voting or competitions by phone
- specialist helplines, such as technical support lines
- subscription-free conference calling services
- instant-access international dial-through services
- charity donations
Where a service provider using an 084, 087, 090 or 091 number with a Service Charge of up to 7p per minute or per call fails to declare the Service Charge, callers can complain to the Advertising Standards Authority.
Where a service provider using an 087, 090 or 091 number with a Service Charge of more than 7p per minute or per call (or is a chat line with any level of Service Charge) fails to declare the Service Charge, callers can complain to PhonepayPlus. These numbers are regulated as Controlled Premium Rate Services.
Calling adult entertainment services
Regulation restricts new adult entertainment services to using numbers starting 098. Additionally, a small number of services are allowed to continue using older 0908 and 0909 numbers.
The call price includes an additional Service Charge component that is passed on to the service provider. Calls to these numbers therefore do not count towards inclusive allowances. These numbers cannot be called from abroad.
From 1 July 2015, the cost of calling these numbers will become much more clear. Ofcom requires each service provider to declare the Service Charge wherever their telephone number is advertised and mention that the caller's provider will add their Access Charge.
Under the new system, it will be much easier to directly compare their prices. Where an adult entertainment service provider fails to declare the Service Charge, callers can complain to PhonepayPlus. These numbers are regulated as Controlled Premium Rate Services.
Calling directory enquiry services
Directory enquiry services use numbers starting 118.
The call price includes an additional Service Charge component that is passed on to the service provider. Calls to these numbers therefore do not count towards inclusive allowances. Numbers for UK-based 118 services cannot be called from abroad.
From 1 July 2015, the cost of calling these numbers will become much more clear. Ofcom requires each service provider to declare the Service Charge wherever their telephone number is advertised and mention that the caller's provider will add their Access Charge.
Under the new system, it will be much easier to directly compare their prices. Where a directory enquiries service provider fails to declare their Service Charge, callers can complain to PhonepayPlus. These numbers are regulated as Controlled Premium Rate Services.
Once they have found the number for you, many of these services offer to put you through. Be aware that if they do this, the rest of the call will continue to incur the additional Service Charge. It is usually much cheaper to hang up and then dial the number yourself.
In many cases, and especially so for businesses, their telephone numbers can be looked up online at little or no cost.
Calling freephone numbers
Calls to freephone numbers starting 0800, 0808 and 0500 are free on landlines and on some mobile networks.
Calls to 080 numbers, but NOT to 0500 numbers, become free from all mobile networks on 1 July 2015.
Most mobile networks currently charge for these calls. Various unofficial services have sprung up to help callers avoid those charges. Some of these services provide a landline access number allowing the caller to onwards dial the required freephone number. This call uses your inclusive minutes or is charged at geographic rate.
Calls to 080 numbers become free from all mobile phones on 1 July 2015. Continuing to use the various alternative number services and apps after that date will end up costing you more than if the freephone number were dialled direct.
Due to declining usage of 0500 numbers, Ofcom is closing the 0500 range and moving all users over to new matching 0808 5 numbers. The final six digits of the telephone number remain the same, e.g. 0500 123456 becomes 0808 512 3456. The new number is one digit longer than the old.
This move implements Ofcom's policy that all freephone numbers should start 080 and must be completed by 3 June 2017. When calling an 0500 number, be sure to listen for any announcement detailing a change of number.
Calling personal or 'find me' numbers
Although they start with 07, it is important to note that 070 numbers are NOT mobile phone numbers. These are personal or 'find me' numbers.
The caller's landline or mobile provider has to pay an additional fee to the service provider to subsidise the provision of the service. This means calls to these numbers cost considerably more than those made to standard mobile numbers. Calls to these numbers do NOT count towards inclusive allowances. 070 numbers are classed as Controlled Premium Rate Services and are regulated by PhonepayPlus.
Some hospitals use 070 numbers for the bedside telephones used by patients. These are very expensive to call. In most cases the patient would be better off using a cheap mobile phone. Some providers offer free calls to mobile numbers on the same network.
Ofcom will review the usage and pricing of 070 numbers in 2016 along with numbers starting 055, 056 and 076.
Calling mobile shortcodes
Mobile shortcodes generally start with a 6, 7 or 8 and may be between five and seven digits long. Calls and texts to these numbers do not count towards inclusive allowances.
Most mobile shortcodes are classed as Controlled Premium Rate Services and come under additional regulation by PhonepayPlus.
Mobile shortcodes are used by various automated and interactive services, including
- voting on a radio or TV show
- various competition lines
- responding to marketing
- charity donations
- adult entertainment services.
- a fixed fee per call
- a per minute rate
- calls which are free.
When calling a voting line, the number you call is the advertised five digit shortcode plus a further two digits to indicate your choice. When the call is answered, you'll hear a brief recorded message confirming your vote has been counted and you then hang up.
It is important to note that these numbers can only be called from mobile phones. They cannot be called from a landline. The call cost is usually the same irrespective of which mobile network the call is made from.
See also
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5219071
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5220589
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5292529
0
Comments
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My phone provider recently told me that they will be charging 9.58 pence per minute for calls to 084 numbers from July 1st onwards. I currently use an 0843 access number to call Europe for only 1.5 pence per minute. So does this mean that I will pay 11.08 pence per minute after July 1st and if so, is there any way around this?0
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Regulation currently imposed on BT for the last couple of decades has meant that when you call an 084, 087, 09 or 118 number from a BT line almost all of what you pay for the call is passed on and paid to the benefit of the called party and their telecoms provider. BT retains almost none of it.
That regulation ends on 1 July 2015. Thereafter, BT will be allowed to charge for connecting and conveying the call as well as continuing to collect the money that is passed on. Other networks have always charged for connecting and conveying the call, hence BT's rates have always varied from all other providers.
From 1 July 2015, the call cost for all 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers will be split into two parts, each separately declared. Access Charges are simple per-minute rates with a one minute minimum charge. Connection fees are not allowed. Service Charges are set in one penny increments and can be a per-minute rate, a per-call fee or a combination of both.
BT's Access Charge will be 9.58p per minute. The Service Charge will be up to 7p per minute for calls to 084 numbers and up to 13p per minute for calls to 087 numbers. Service providers must declare their Service Charges everywhere their numbers are advertised.
You'll need to either change to a different landline or mobile provider with a lower Access Charge or pre-pay the international provider for the international leg of the call and use their 03 or 080 number for access.
See also
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/52190710 -
My phone provider recently told me that they will be charging 9.58 pence per minute for calls to 084 numbers from July 1st onwards. I currently use an 0843 access number to call Europe for only 1.5 pence per minute. So does this mean that I will pay 11.08 pence per minute after July 1st and if so, is there any way around this?
If you have inclusive minutes you could use someone like https://www.localphone.com who would provide you with 01/02/03 numbers pointed at your destination numbers at a good rate. Unlike 084 access no need to start paying for calls until call is answered.
Or use a supplier with Freephone Access like 18185 http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php0 -
Thank you very much for your answers. If I use localphone, does that mean that as long as I call after 7pm or at the weekends when I have free calls to landlines from my landline, I will only pay whatever I pay to localphone, and I won't be charged anything extra by Plusnet?0
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Thank you very much for your answers. If I use localphone, does that mean that as long as I call after 7pm or at the weekends when I have free calls to landlines from my landline, I will only pay whatever I pay to localphone, and I won't be charged anything extra by Plusnet?
Yes. If you use inclusive minutes from another supplier to call the 01/02 access numbers supplied by localphone ,your only be charged for the localphone part of the call.0 -
After several years of dithering, the FCA has recently published new regulations for the financial sector to take effect on 26 October 2015.
The regulations simply mirror the BIS regulations that came into force for retailers, traders and passenger transport companies on 13 June 2014.
From 26 October 2015, financial services companies including banks and insurance companies can no longer use 084, 087 or 09 numbers for existing customers to contact them on.
While these numbers can continue to be used for new customers, regulations in force since 1 July 2015 require the Service Charge to be declared everywhere the number is advertised. For the small number of organisations using these numbers for this purpose, this is a large incentive to stop doing so.0 -
After several years of dithering, the FCA has recently published new regulations for the financial sector to take effect on 26 October 2015.
The regulations simply mirror the BIS regulations that came into force for retailers, traders and passenger transport companies on 13 June 2014.
From 26 October 2015, financial services companies including banks and insurance companies can no longer use 084, 087 or 09 numbers for existing customers to contact them on.
While these numbers can continue to be used for new customers, regulations in force since 1 July 2015 require the Service Charge to be declared everywhere the number is advertised. For the small number of organisations using these numbers for this purpose, this is a large incentive to stop doing so.
Do you have a link handy?
0 -
There ya go:Do you have a link handy?
http://www.fca.org.uk/news/ps15-19-improving-complaints-handling
http://www.fca.org.uk/your-fca/documents/policy-statements/ps15-190
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