118 directory enquiry call charges capped from today - MSE news story

The cap that came into effect on 1 April 2019 is not on the whole cost of a call to a directory enquiries number starting 118, it is a cap on just the Service Charge element of the cost of such calls. The limit is £3.65 per 90 seconds of a call. Callers also continue to pay an Access Charge set by the caller's landline or mobile phone provider.

The introduction of this cap has resulted in the complete withdrawal of the following Service Charge price points:
SC068, SC069, SC080, SC070, SC071, SC072, SC087, SC088, SC089, SC090, SC091.

In addition, the following Service Charge price points are no longer allowed for use by services operating on numbers starting 118 (but are still allowed for premium rate services operating on numbers starting 09):
SC063, SC064, SC065, SC043, SC044, SC083, SC045, SC085, SC086, SC073, SC096, SC097, SC098, SC099, SC100.


"The simplest way to cut costs is to look up telephone numbers for free on the internet. But if you must call a 118 service because the number you're looking for isn't on the web, there are ways to keep the cost to a minimum."

The main reason for using a directory enquiries service is not because the number isn't on the web, but because the caller does not use the web or does not have access to (or it is inconvenient at this time to use) the web.

Using the web to find a telephone number introduces a whole bunch of other dangers. The most common is to fall victim to a "call connection service" scam. These are websites advertising expensive fake premium rate phone numbers that purport to "connect to" various well-known businesses and organisations. Beware of any website that offers an 084, 087 or 09 number to call - the number is likely to not be genuine.


"Prices are often poorly advertised, so it's key to know that not all 118 services cost the same."

Ofcom regulations in place since 1 July 2015 require the call charges to be stated immediately adjacent to any number starting 084, 087, 09 or 118. Breaches of the regulations should be reported to PSA and ASA.


"Ofcom has examples of the price differences between 118 numbers, as of November 2018, but always double-check the cost of the service before you call."

Those call charge examples were given as part of the justification for introducing the price cap and are now clearly very much out of date. Perhaps MSE should compile a complete list of these services and their charges?