Calling hospital bedside telephones on 070 numbers [from 1 October 2019].

Ian011

Until now, calling telephone numbers starting 070 usually resulted in call charges significantly higher than calling landline or mobile numbers and such calls were never included within call allowances.

Calling hospital bedside telephones is one particular case where eye-watering call charges have been incurred. Providers of these bedside TV and telephone services have been (rumoured to be) making more than 40p per minute from incoming calls. Callers have been paying very high rates, with retail charges in excess of 50p per minute for calls made from landlines and, in some cases, more than £1 per minute for calls made from mobile phones.

From 1 October 2019, Ofcom has cut the amount that can be made on incoming calls to 070 numbers down to just 0.5p per minute. This is known as the "termination rate" or "wholesale rate". The new limit for 070 numbers is the same as the existing limit for the termination rate for calls to UK mobile numbers.

Ofcom expects landline and mobile providers to drop their retail charges for calls to 070 numbers down to the same rate as calling UK mobile numbers, and include calls to 070 numbers in allowances on the same basis as calls to UK mobile numbers.

Before calling any 070 number check with your phone provider to see if they have reduced their rates, and included these calls in allowances, in line with Ofcom's expectations.

See also ...
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/how-much-does-a-phone-call-really-cost

DCFC79

Ive always called the desk and then they transfer the call.
Dont recall and charges for calling the number, I pay the bill so very strict on calling a number that costs, I know it was an 08 number.

glennevis

I was in hospital for a week last month and I never saw a 'hospital bedside telephone' in use. I must have met 30+ fellow patients during my stay and we all used our own mobiles.

Ian011

The bedside telephones usually give completely free of charge calls to UK numbers starting 01 and 02 and to all numbers starting 03.

The problems would start only if people decide to call you back. They would then pay very high rates for their call. Ofcom's changes should end that problem from today.