Is it still worth us getting our own Non-Geographic number, with the possibility of forthcoming regulation? What will be the likely impact of the Ofcom review?

It seems that Ofcom have as usual preconsulted with BT, and they have agreed their Option 2 as the only option which will be acceptable to BT. It is this option which they intend to adopt, completely regardless of consumers' interests and all other issues of contravention.

The only thing which will make any difference to this intended outcome is if larger than ever numbers of consumers complain about this scam to their MP, MEP, Edward Leigh MP (Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee),  Sir George Young MP, Norman Lamb MP and Derek Wyatt MP; and send in adverse responses to Ofcom's current 2 consultations before 7th January 2005. Above all it is important to emphasize the issue of call queuing, because this is what is the foundation of the resistance to take the proper regulatory action which is the remit of Ofcom. They and BT know that if all revenue-sharing were banned for all NGNs other than 09 it would be the end of the big money being made from call queuing. That is what is at the heart of this scam.

So, in my humble opinion, if enough consumers do not do this then get your own 0870 or 0871 number. Lets see the complete end of all geographic numbers and lets see all numbers being Premium numbers, since that is the inevitable outcome if the regulators continue to fail to regulate. Everyone including me will be getting one. "If you can't beat 'em join 'em"! So if you get one you must have an answering machine or something like that with a long message and then a 30 minute delay with music playing before you answer; otherwise you won't make much revenue!