We all applaud 03xx numbers and the strict regulations about charging the same as 01 and 02 numbers. This from a recent post by loddon:


Quote:

Ofcom set stringent regulations concerning the charging for ALL 03..... numbers --- that the cost of 03 numbers must be the same as calls to geographic numbers.   Stated here :--- http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2007/02/nr_20070213b 03 numbers are being introduced as an alternative to chargeable 08 numbers like 0870. Calls to 03 numbers will cost the same as calls to geographic numbers (starting 01 or 02), and be included as part of any inclusive call minutes or discount schemes in the same way as geographic calls.   Revenue sharing – where the dialled party can receive a share of what the consumer pays to make a call – will not be permitted on calls to 03 numbers. Ofcom intends these requirements to apply to calls from all types of line, including mobiles and payphones, Ofcom Chief Executive, Ed Richards said: “Consumers will be able to dial 03 numbers with confidence about the cost of their call. We expect public services and many others to view 03 numbers as a real alternative to higher cost 08 numbers.” So you should have no concerns about costs when calling 03 numbers.

But there always seems to be a cloud with every silver lining. At least one UK phone company (Talktalk) has re-introduced separate pricing for local and national calls on some tariffs. This was something we thought was dead and buried except for some specialist BT legacy tariffs. What happens to 03xx numbers here? It also raises the spectre of "costs no more than a local call" becoming a valid part of an advertisement, again something we thought was dying out.

allegro wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2010 at 7:52am:

We all applaud 03xx numbers and the strict regulations about charging the same as 01 and 02 numbers. This from a recent post by loddon: Quote: Ofcom set stringent regulations concerning the charging for ALL 03..... numbers --- that the cost of 03 numbers must be the same as calls to geographic numbers.   Stated here :--- http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2007/02/nr_20070213b 03 numbers are being introduced as an alternative to chargeable 08 numbers like 0870. Calls to 03 numbers will cost the same as calls to geographic numbers (starting 01 or 02), and be included as part of any inclusive call minutes or discount schemes in the same way as geographic calls.   Revenue sharing – where the dialled party can receive a share of what the consumer pays to make a call – will not be permitted on calls to 03 numbers. Ofcom intends these requirements to apply to calls from all types of line, including mobiles and payphones, Ofcom Chief Executive, Ed Richards said: “Consumers will be able to dial 03 numbers with confidence about the cost of their call. We expect public services and many others to view 03 numbers as a real alternative to higher cost 08 numbers.” So you should have no concerns about costs when calling 03 numbers. But there always seems to be a cloud with every silver lining. At least one UK phone company (Talktalk) has re-introduced separate pricing for local and national calls on some tariffs. This was something we thought was dead and buried except for some specialist BT legacy tariffs. What happens to 03xx numbers here? It also raises the spectre of "costs no more than a local call" becoming a valid part of an advertisement, again something we thought was dying out.

This was brought up last May!;- http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1241350297/0#0

Also from last October;- "In response to these concerns, Talk Talk has now announced that with effect from 1 November all 03 numbers will be treated as if "Local", whenever the distinction applies."
http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1255373721/0#0

Talk Talk and our campaign can take pride in the fact that this change was introduced.

It is now confirmed on the website - here.

This not only makes 03xx numbers "safe" in the context of spurious references to the cost of a local call, but actually makes them preferable to use of 01/02 numbers for national services in respect of Talk Talk customers. The original request was for this to apply only to 0300 and 0303 numbers, as reserved for charities and public services, however Talk Talk chose to go the whole way.

Apologies for not doing research before posting. While TT are moving backwards by re-introducing the local/national distinction they are to be applauded for including all 03xx as local.

allegro wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2010 at 6:35pm:

Apologies for not doing research before posting. While TT are moving backwards by re-introducing the local/national distinction they are to be applauded for including all 03xx as local.

I am not so sure that this is particularly a backward step. It is not an across the board distinction on all its tariffs.

There are principally two TalkTalk tariffs:
1. Evening and Weekend inclusive tariff which charges for national calls during the weekday daytime, includes local (and 03) calls at all times and includes national calls in the evening and at the weekend.
2. All inclusive tariff which applies at all times.

So in essence, the move by TalkTalk was to include local calls during the daytime in its option 1 tariff.

Well it was fun while it lasted!

The free local and 03 calls option for Talk Talk Evening and Weekends package customers has now been withdrawn from new contracts. Existing customers who were given this as part of their deal will retain the feature for the duration of their contract.

Noting this being absent from pricing information and reading forum comments about it being withdrawn, I have verified this with a sales rep, who suggested that this change was made "a couple of weeks ago".

Should it re-emerge in any form, we can at least hope that the principle of adding 03 to local will be retained.