Telecoms World Plc
T. 0800 043 0800
Unit 3 Kingfisher House
F. 0800 043 4004
New Mill Road Orpington Kent BR5 3QG
E. sales@telecomsworldplc.co.uk W. www.telecomsworldplc.co.uk
Confused phone users are set to get a more straightforward deal on the cost of calls. Free calls from mobiles, as well as landlines, to 0800 numbers are among proposals from Ofcom. Ofcom has published a list of proposals to clarify and simplify call costs. Numbers beginning with 01, 02 and 03 numbers would be charged at geographic rates. 07 numbers would be charged at mobile rates. 0843/4/5 and 0871/2/3 would be charged at business rate, and 090, 091 and 098 numbers would be at premium rate. At present, four out of five people who ring up businesses or other organisations on numbers starting with 03, 08, 09 are unsure of how much they are paying. Prices for calls to these non-geographic numbers can vary for a number of reasons, including whether or not calls are made from a mobile or landline. The charges for ringing an 0800 number from a mobile are currently up to 40p a minute. Low-income families are particularly affected because they are more likely to use a mobile phone at home. High charges may discourage them from getting access to the many services, including helplines, offered on non-geographic numbers. Non-geographic numbers are used by a wide range of organisations, including businesses, government agencies, charities, event organisers and voting on TV shows. Ofcom also aims to introduce more transparency in pricing. Customers would be informed of charges made by their phone company as well as charges made by the business or organisation being phoned. They would then be able to use these figures to compare call bundles offered by different phone companies. This would encourage more competition among the companies, which would help to keep prices down. Ofcom's proposals include more clarity in the pricing of 118 directory inquiry services. Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, said: "There is clear evidence of widespread uncertainty and confusion about the cost of calling non-geographic numbers."Consumers need to have far more transparency about the price they are going to pay for calls so that they can make more informed choices and so competition can work more effectively. "Making 0800 free from a mobile and giving people clarity about what they are paying for 118 directory enquiry services will improve transparency, improve competition and enhance trust in these important services." Rekha Wadhwani, chief executive of The Helplines Association, said: "We welcome Ofcom's plans. We have been campaigning on the cost of calling freephone numbers, especially charity helplines, from mobile phones since 1999."
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A survey conducted for Consumer Focus stated: "When asked how much they would be charged for calling 0800 numbers, respondents who made an estimate were generally accurate (up to 25p), but the overwhelming majority (83 per cent) didn't know how much the charges were. This was also true of charges for 0845, 0870 and 0300 numbers." Hannah Bullivant, telecoms specialist at Consumer Focus, said: "For too long, consumers have faced a bewildering amount of dierent phone numbers, all charged at dierent rates. "It's simply unfair that someone phoning a number that is free from a landline can cost up to 40p when calling by mobile." Ofcom's proposals have met with approval from phone companies. "We are all for fair pricing and transparency," said Neil Barrall, of leading telecommunications company, Telecoms World, one of the UK's leading suppliers of 0800 numbers, 0844 numbers, 03 numbers and all other non-geographic numbers. Revised European telecoms legislation has enabled Ofcom to put forward its proposals for changes in price structures for non-geographic numbers. Last year, UK phone users paid a total of £1.9 billion on these calls. After consultation has taken place on Ofcom's proposals, it is planned to introduce the new rates over the next two years. This article was written by David Noble of Telecoms World Plc. Telecoms World are a leading supplier of 0800 numbers , 0845 numbers, 0844 numbers, 03 numbers and all other non-geographic numbers. Visit Telecoms World online at www.telecomsworldplc.co.uk or call on 0800 043 0800
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