BBC Points of View tonight ended with (something like):

"We would like to hear from you. Calls to our 0370 number are charged the same as a local rate call."

And there was me thinking that, with the exception of their 0845 numbers, the battle with the BBC was won.

It would appear the site is no better either:

"Contact the Points of View team by email: pov@bbc.co.uk

Telephone: 0370 908 3199 (calls are charged at local rate, mobile tariffs will vary)"

Quote from: here

When will they get it right???  :(

At least if you want to complain it's got the correct charges!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/

catj wrote on Nov 13^th, 2011 at 6:46pm:

BBC Points of View tonight ended with (something like): "We would like to hear from you. Calls to our 0370 number are charged the same as a local rate call."

The real offence is in the actual quote "Calls are charged at a local rate from a BT landline". Watch and listen here

03 is the one range where you can give a cost statement without having to refer to any particular operator. In truth, calls are charged at a "local" rate from any landline. With some almost insignificant qualification, national rate and local rate is the same rate from all landlines. Neither quoted version of the statement above is actually false.

Although mobile phones cannot make a distinction between local and national geographic calls, if one understands the term "local rate" to mean the cost of a call to a local geographic number, one could just get away with saying that calls to 03 numbers from mobiles are charged at "local rate", wherever in the UK you may be.

Having done the right thing by adopting 03 numbers, the BBC should stop referring to a situation that existed before 03 numbers were introduced! "Calls are charged at the geographic rate from all phones" would be much better.

We need Ofcom to put a lot more effort into getting over the message about what "geographic rate" is, as against "business rate" and "premium rate". I understand that the end of January 2012 is the current target for the next movement on "Simplifying non-geographic numbers".

In the meantime, one could always contact the BBC, I am sure that have some programmes that air listeners and viewers comments.

On some BBC radio programmes, they do say, quoting the 03 number, (not exact words) "calls are charged at standard geographical rate, calls from mobiles may be higher" which is also inaccurate as calls from mobiles will also be at the rate to an 01/02 number.  I have been wondering for some time how they have still managed to get it wrong, glad it has now been raised.

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Nov 13^th, 2011 at 7:23pm:

In the meantime, one could always contact the BBC, I am sure that have some programmes that air listeners and viewers comments.

Yes that would be Points of View (POV) the program were are talking about.

Perhaps it would be ironic to contact POV and complain about the inaccurate call information provided by them and other departments in the BBC?

CJT-80 wrote on Nov 14^th, 2011 at 10:15pm:

Perhaps it would be ironic ...

Apologies for not making the irony more obvious (and a typo). My posting should have read:


SilentCallsVictim wrote on Nov 13^th, 2011 at 7:23pm:

In the meantime, one could always contact the BBC, I am sure they have some programmes that air listeners and viewers comments.  ;)

I was also referring to Newswatch (on BBC News) and Feedback (on Radio 4).

A recent and fairly learned exposition on the subject of the need to flag up irony in writing is found in articles #13/15 here. Perhaps CJT-80 was meaning to wink also.

Indeed I did.. I was a little tired

so here you go...  ;) ;)

Barbara wrote on Nov 14^th, 2011 at 12:15pm:

On some BBC radio programmes, they do say, quoting the 03 number, (not exact words) "calls are charged at standard geographical rate, calls from mobiles may be higher" which is also inaccurate as calls from mobiles will also be at the rate to an 01/02 number.

The BBC's Feedback program on Radio 4 is continuing to provide this information about call cost in Jan 2012.

Time for some comments on this issue from forum members to feedback@bbc.co.uk I would suggest.......

NGMsGhost wrote on Jan 31^st, 2012 at 12:08pm:

The BBC's Feedback program on Radio 4 is continuing to provide this information about call cost in Jan 2012. Time for some comments on this issue from forum members to feedback@bbc.co.uk I would suggest.......

Can we be sure, without listening again, that the precise wording used on "Feedback" for its 03?? number is

Quote:

calls are charged at standard geographical rate, calls from mobiles may be higher

May I add that if this could be raised on "Feedback" then the failure of many local BBC radio stations to switch from their 0845 numbers to the equivalent 0345 should be raised as well.

An item on "Feedback" could give those responsible for both of these items just the amount of kick that they need. I am quite sure that it is nothing more than a general unwillingness to change and a little carelessness that is holding both of these items back.

BBC's South East Today gives an 0845 number & state "calls are charged at local rate"

reserved wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 7:19pm:

BBC's South East Today gives an 0845 number & state "calls are charged at local rate"

Can you provide more detail on where and/or how exactly they are stating this?  There is a senior BBC executive who brought in the 03 numbers who should be very keen to correct them on the error of their ways if this matter is brought to his attention.

NGMsGhost wrote on Feb 18^th, 2012 at 2:49am:

reserved wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 7:19pm: BBC's South East Today gives an 0845 number & state "calls are charged at local rate" Can you provide more detail on where and/or how exactly they are stating this?  There is a senior BBC executive who brought in the 03 numbers who should be very keen to correct them on the error of their ways if this matter is brought to his attention.

It is shown on screen during the programme each week day when they invite people to get in touch with them.

However on thier website homepage they give a 01892 number!