Proposed changes to 0870, 0845, 0871 and 0844 numbers

Introduction
Telephone numbers prefixed 0870, 0845, 0871 and 0844 (referred to as non-geographical numbers) are used frequently by companies who wish to portray a 'professional' image. They may look good, but more and more consumers are becoming aware of their cost. Whilst the cost of calls to geographical numbers (those prefixed 01 or 02) has fallen, the price of 0870 and 0845 (generally referred to as 'national' rate and 'local' rate respectively), have remained about the same. They are called Number Translation Services (NTS) because the calls are routed (diverted) to normal geographical 01 or 02 numbers.

The regulator of the UK's telecommunications industry, Ofcom, is consulting on some proposed changes to these and other 08xx numbers. As these issues affect everybody, it's imperative that general consumers put their views in writing to Ofcom.

There are two consultations that are of interest:

• Number Translation Services: A Way Forward

Covers pricing and the allowance for companies to receive revenue on 0870, 0845 numbers.

• Providing consumers with improved information about Number Translation Services (NTS) and Premium Rate Services (PRS)

Covers pricing information to enable consumers to make clearer decisions.

The deadline for responses to both consultations is 5pm on 6th December 2005.

Consultation 1: Number Translation Services: A Way Forward

The main changes proposed are:

• 0870 - Cost 7.5p/min or more in the daytime. Ofcom proposes to reduce these to the same rate as geographical numbers and stop companies profiting from calls.

• 0871 - Cost upto 10p/min or per call at all times. The party being called receives some of these call charges. No changes to call rates are proposed. Instead, the regulator is looking at reclassifying these numbers premium rate. This means that they will be governed by the same rules as 09 numbers, which other types of services are not subject to. This will, amongst other things, prevent companies from generating extra income when queuing calls by banning call queuing.

• 0845 - Cost 3p/min or more in the daytime. No changes with regards call pricing and revenue sharing are proposed for two years. In two years time Ofcom will look them again to see if any changes need to be made. The main reason for this is due to the number of dial-up internet service providers operating on 0845 numbers.

• 0844 - Cost upto 5p/min or per call at all times. These are a smaller version of 0871. Ofcom is proposing making the pricing information clearer with these numbers.

• Adult services moved to 09 numbers

If you wish to have a chat about either of these two Consultations then visit the SayNoTo0870.com forum here, or you can the responses received so far regarding the 'NTS - A Way Forward Consultation', here.