I would like to point out that the people that use 0845 and 0870 numbers are a total waste of space, do thay not realise that many companies now providing broadband also do packages including local and national numbers, therefore they are costing people more money by using these so called cheap numbers.  Cheap for who I have to ask, when you call these numbers your bill goes up.  We have changed our GP twice because of these number changes, when asked why they have changed the number all you get is enhancement of patient care!!!!  What an excuse.  The only thing it enhances is there coffers.  Refuse to use them is all I can say, vote with your feet and don't touch the numbers, they have, it is the only way you can hurt them

kayt wrote on Apr 28^th, 2007 at 6:40am:

I would like to point out that the people that use 0845 and 0870 numbers are a total waste of space, do thay not realise that many companies now providing broadband also do packages including local and national numbers, therefore they are costing people more money by using these so called cheap numbers.

Some companies are aware that these calls aren't excluded in most inclusive call packages but there are also some companies that still think these calls are charged at local / national rate which they haven't been for a few years now.

It's not about what companies do/don't know - it's about consumer perception.  Many consumers are still not aware that these calls aren't local/national rate and have no idea of the cost of the calls but more important is that most consumers aren't aware that revenue sharing takes place and that in a lot of cases companies may get money for incoming calls they receive and this includes surgeries using 0844 numbers.