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MSE News: Calls to 084, 087, 09 and 118 to be clearer, but prices vary wildly
Comments
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Don't forget the 16p connection fee that effectively adds 1p per minute to the call cost on a 16 minute call and pro rata rates for longer or shorter calls.
These services exist only because BT's share of the call cost is effectively zero. Calling these numbers from other providers already costs up to 45p per minute. Many of these services don't appear to make it very clear that that is the case.
It is the change of BT's Access Charge from zero to something that makes calling these service non-viable from BT lines. Be clear that BT's retail price change arises not because of the introduction of the unbundled tariff, but as a direct result of the removal of the NTS Retail Condition on 1 July. That rule was originally brought in decades ago when BT was the monopoly supplier of landline services in the UK. That situation is no longer the case.
When introducing the unbundled tariffs system, Ofcom could have tried to impose an Access Charge of zero on BT. They would have rapidly found themselves in court and losing the case. BT does not have the monopoly that it had when the rule was originally introduced. Indeed, nowadays more than 55% of calls originate from mobile phones and just under 30% from non-BT landlines.
Companies providing these services have effectively relied on a non-standard pricing arrangement by one supplier for their existance and that arrangement is now coming to an end. Don't blame this on the unbundled tariff. Blame it on the fact that BT no longer has a monopoly and the price controls previously imposed solely on BT can no longer be sustained.0 -
I don't use BT. I use TalkTalk. Did they have a monopoly too?Don't forget the 16p connection fee that effectively adds 1p per minute to the call cost on a 16 minute call and pro rata rates for longer or shorter calls.
These services exist only because BT's share of the call cost is effectively zero. Calling these numbers from other providers already costs up to 45p per minute. Many of these services don't appear to make it very clear that that is the case.
It is the change of BT's Access Charge from zero to something that makes calling these service non-viable from BT lines. Be clear that BT's retail price change arises not because of the introduction of the unbundled tariff, but as a direct result of the removal of the NTS Retail Condition on 1 July. That rule was originally brought in decades ago when BT was the monopoly supplier of landline services in the UK. That is no longer the case.
When introducing the unbundled tariffs system, Ofcom could have tried to impose an Access Charge of zero on BT. They would have rapidly found themselves in court and losing the case. BT does not have the monopoly that it had when the rule was originally introduced. Indeed, nowadays more than 55% of calls originate from mobile phones and just under 30% from non-BT landlines.
Companies providing these services have effectively relied on a non-standard pricing arrangement by one supplier for their existance and that arrangement is now coming to an end. Don't blame this on the unbundled tariff. Blame it on the fact that BT no longer has a monopoly.0 -
Plenty of other choices.
Some landline suppliers cheap intl call bundles.
Cheap Intl Mobile Payg Calls.
Call back.
Prepaid Accounts .Including top up by premium number or premium Text. Offering access via 01/02/03 if you have inclusive minutes, or 0800/0808 freephone.
The main difference with all of these is they're pay in advance services. Lots of international call services simply don't work - they lack capacity or the quality is awful. Prepay always tends to be some lump like £10 - which is rather a lot to pay to discover the service doesn't work. Some offer free trials but they're usually to 'easy' destinations (USA, France, etc) and never to 'difficult' destinations (Afghanistan, Benin, Comoros, Djibouti, Equador... I could continue the alphabet further). The best part of callthroughs is you can easily switch providers if the one you're using happens to be a dog - which they frequently are.0 -
The list of Access Charges in the MSE article covers only the major providers.
Several other sites have more comprehensive lists, including
https://planet-numbers.co.uk/news/phone-operators-access-charges-from-1st-july-2015/0 -
The list of Access Charges in the MSE article covers only the major providers.
Several other sites have more comprehensive lists, including
https://planet-numbers.co.uk/news/phone-operators-access-charges-from-1st-july-2015/
Talk Talk appear to be increaseing its declared 5p a minute landline access charge in Aug 2015,having now seen what others will be charging.0 -
Well why would they want to miss out on this opportunity to rip customers off which Ofcom have given them?oldharryrocks wrote: »Talk Talk appear to be increaseing its declared 5p a minute landline access charge in Aug 2015,having now seen what others will be charging.0 -
My RAC renewal (from 1.7.15) credentials have arrived.
The Breakdown and Accident helpline, previously an 0800 number, will now be a 'mobile friendly' 0333 number. I can live with that, even if the 0800 number would soon be free to me.
However, other calls are to be to an 0844 number. The very small print says:Calls to 0844 numbers are charged between 1p and 13p per minute, plus a 15p call set up fee from landlines. Calls from mobile are typically between 5p and 41p per minute.
They may be complying with the regulations, but I wonder just how much my call to the 0844 would cost.0 -
My RAC renewal (from 1.7.15) credentials have arrived.
The Breakdown and Accident helpline, previously an 0800 number, will now be a 'mobile friendly' 0333 number. I can live with that, even if the 0800 number would soon be free to me.
However, other calls are to be to an 0844 number. The very small print says:
They may be complying with the regulations, but I wonder just how much my call to the 0844 would cost.
Why not tell the RAC you are not renewing your membership because they are using 0844 premium rate numbers?
I'm sure one of the other breakdown services will match, or even better, the quote you've had in your renewal.
As Corporal Jones used to say: They don't like it up 'em!"There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe a 'Princess Coronation' locomotive in full cry. We shall never see their like again". O S Nock0 -
The price declaration from the RAC gives the current range of call costs from landlines and mobiles. It does not comply with what is required from 1 July 2015.They may be complying with the regulations, but I wonder just how much my call to the 0844 would cost.
It has to say "Calls cost Xp per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge", or similar.
Ask them why they are imposing a Service Charge to their benefit when you call them. If it's a line used for renewal, it's not permitted to make such a charge.0 -
My RAC renewal (from 1.7.15) credentials have arrived.
The Breakdown and Accident helpline, previously an 0800 number, will now be a 'mobile friendly' 0333 number. I can live with that, even if the 0800 number would soon be free to me.
However, other calls are to be to an 0844 number. The very small print says:
They may be complying with the regulations, but I wonder just how much my call to the 0844 would cost.
For whats its worth an alternative 0800 renewal number is available.
http://www.rac.co.uk/my-rac/renew
They do have a customer service number including renewals 0333 2000 100 but they dont appear to promote it much.0
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