"BT has launched a range of local geographic numbers that will be available for voice over IP users.

BT said yesterday that the move was inspired by research that consumers have greater trust for businesses that have a local number. Non-geographic numbers, which effectively charged a customer for phoning a business, are said to have eroded the public's trust in companies.

The rise of VoIP, with its non-descript phone prefixes, would not endear the public to businesses any further, said Bill Murphy, managing director of BT Business.

People like to deal with local companies and feel more comfortable calling numbers with codes they are familiar with. But by giving our clients a free VoIP line, we are enabling even the smallest businesses to enjoy the cost savings and convenience of making calls over the internet, while still maintaining their local presence."

BT has been driven to this decision by consumer anger over the way businesses have been seen to charge their customers, said Simon Clark, sales director of communications supplier Atrica."

http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2007/08/07/226074/bt-launches-geographic-numbers-for-voice-over-ip-users.htm

Circulate this article to all your political contacts - I know I will!

But I bet NEG simply continues to maintain that 0844 is "local rate", while Ofcom will continue to sit on its big fat, overpaid corporate ass and do precisely nothing whatsoever about it.

NEG stop lying?! Ofcom help the consumer?! Are such things really possible?!?!  ::)

Back in 2005 it was reported that BT Retail's Chief Executive, Ian Livingston, wanted Ofcom to scrap 0845 and 0870 numbers.

See:

http://business.scotsman.com/banking.cfm?id=764772005

I suspect he hadn't consulted BT's Non Geographic number vending divisions before making those comments and has probably been in hot water over them ever since.

But still he has kept his job and continues to be CEO of BT Retail.