----- Original Message -----
From: IAVOID0870
To: speedmedical.com


Please disclose (FOI Act 2000) all documents and notes on this matter.


Why do you use 0870 numbers?  
What is the equivalent geographical numbers?  
What revenue do you receive per minute and in total from the use of 0870 numbers?
Are you aware of the revenue collected by your telecom provider, from your callers?  
Have you considered the revised COI guidelines?  
If so, what conclusions did you come to?  
Do you realise that all calls (local/national) cost the same?  
Are you aware of the cost implications to your callers, when using 0870 numbers?  
Do you realise that 0870 numbers now offer no cost advantage to callers, irrespective of their location, only disadvantages?
Are you aware that calls to 084* / 087* numbers are excluded from most price plans? *
Will you be changing this when the new 03 numbers become available?

* Which means callers end up paying twice, effectively double the usual amount, just to call an 0870 number, because the call is excluded from the price plan which usually only allows for calls 01/02 numbers


REPLY BELOW:

To: IAVOID0870

I note that your request is made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and refers to the Central Office of Information (COI) guidelines but would advise that both the legislation (which gives any person the legal right to ask for any information which is held by a public authority) and the COI guidelines relate to public bodies and/or government departments rather than businesses.  

The original decision to use 0870 numbers was made to allow us use of a large range of direct dial numbers which were not otherwise available to us; this enables us to direct incoming call in the majority of cases directly to the relevant team so there is less waiting time.

Our geographical number is 01772 642 690 which will direct callers to our main operator and we are always happy to call clients back.

We are increasingly aware of the cost implications to our customers and the concerns this raises and as a result this position is under serious review and the alternatives are being explored; your comments in this matter will be included in that review process.

feedback is reviewed to see what part of our process (including communication via 0870 numbers) needs to be addressed and improved.

IAVOID0870 wrote on Jan 31^st, 2007 at 1:18pm:

Our geographical number is 01772 642 690 which will direct callers to our main operator and we are always happy to call clients back. We are increasingly aware of the cost implications to our customers and the concerns this raises and as a result this position is under serious review and the alternatives are being explored; your comments in this matter will be included in that review process. feedback is reviewed to see what part of our process (including communication via 0870 numbers) needs to be addressed and improved.

They can't be all bad then as they have given you the geographic number and freely admit many customers do not like calling it.

I hope you will be adding the geographic phone number to the database if it is not already there.

NGMsGhost wrote on Feb 1^st, 2007 at 10:42am:

I hope you will be adding the geographic phone number to the database if it is not already there.

It's been done...  ;D