0870 charges should be reduced - Ofcom

shahidemran

Ofcom tightens rules on 08 phone numbers: 0870 charges should be reduced.

Ofcom has set out proposals to provide clarity about the price of calls to 0870 numbers and strengthen consumer protection on calls to 0871 numbers.

Full Story HERE

Heinz

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=894389

PBA

About time, ofcom should have done this years ago. It doesn't take a genius to see it's misleading calling a number "national rate", when the rate I pay for national calls is 1p a min or less, but the "national rate" number is 8p a min.

However I think a simpler solution would be to classify all 08 numbers as premium rate (with a message on the line before the call is answered saying this is a premium rate call at x pence per minute). Then use the new 03 prefix for non-geographic numbers charged at the true national rate.

Heinz

PBA wrote: »

I think a simpler solution would be to classify all 08 numbers as premium rate (with a message on the line before the call is answered saying this is a premium rate call at x pence per minute).

Many people suggested exactly that in response to the original consultation but the misleading and disguised rates were (and will be) allowed to continue on all except 0870.

When the 'same cost as 01/02 numbers' or a compulsory tariff announcement on 0870 numbers was to be introduced on 1-2-08, many 0870 abusers moved to 0844, 0871 and 0872 numbers to ensure they could retain their revenue-share. With (BT) rates for 0844 numbers ranging from ½p to 5p per minute and between 6p and 10p per minute for 0871 & 0872 numbers, nobody knows the cost unless they have a table of charges to hand.