01438 & 01480 numbers are cheaper than 0845 number for any Telewest customer

Oftel was investigating the causes and extent of higher non-geographic tariffs.  On 26 September 2003, Oftel published a consultation document called '0845 and 0870 numbers: Review of retail price and numbering arrangements'.

The consultation document examines whether the link between the retail prices for 0845 and 0870 numbers and the retail prices for geographic local and national calls should continue, and, if it is removed, other options for establishing the retail prices for calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers.

Many consumers are on unlimited call packages, and discounted call packages that offer free/cheaper calls to standard telephone numbers (beginning 01/02) - These can be called for as little as 1p/min daytime (eg. www.call18866.co.uk). ; Whereas, calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers are not generally included in call packages, and charged at 3p/min (for 0845) and 7p/min (for 0870).

Dear All

It has become apparant that despite my company offering an 0845 number in the quest to offer cheaper calls, dependant on the consumers telephone package it may not always be possible to gain a cheaper call.

Although my first post may have seemed to be a little harsh I feel fustrated that we were/are being tarnished with the same approach as the the companys who use this service to make financial gain, I can state that we do not make a penny from this service, nor do we wish to.

One of the main reasons we used this service was the virtual receptionist offered which allows us to deal with and route our customers calls more efficiently.

We make it as clear as possible on our website all our contact numbers and we also warn customers to check their own phone service in order to establish the cheapest ways to contact us. I agree with this sites content in order to provide cheaper alternatives especially against the companys purposely using this service for financial gain.

Also a little tip is this hasn't been brought up before, if you are calling a company and find that you are always left on hold for a non-sales enquiry simply call sales and demand they sort the problem out, your be amazed how quickly sales answer the phone.

Yours sincerely


Neil Thomas
Managing Director

Good Afternoon,

I am sorry to post "out-of-the-blue" but I am a regular user of this website and feel that the comments of lawyers and slander is a bit far fetched.

It is very hard to take someone, or some business for that matter serious, if they start chirping about lawyers over NGN Telephone Services.

Neil, Maybe you are one of the very few, may I add, Non-Geo Business users not out to make money from the 0870/0845/070 Telecom phase.

Which, if I may so is admirable, but please, this lawyer bumph. Please don't litter good sites with this material.
All fair you admitted you where harsh,

Would be happy to speak with you if you care to email me!

Keep up the good work Daniel!



Lilly Buntain

Consumer Assist

When Neil says "local rate", he means FULL BT local rate. No thinking person should be paying BT call charges. Most of us, as has been pointed out, pay a great deal less.

Incidentally, Neil, before making threats, you should learn the difference between slander and libel. You meant libellous, not slanderous. That, coupled with very poor spelling, punctuation and grammar, both here and on your Web site, do little for your credibility. Does that sound pedantic? I hope not. While few people would worry about such things on a forum, when you can't get the basics right on your Web site (i.e. your marketing), people will have difficulty believing that you will provide quality service and after-care. They may well be mistaken, of course, but they would be right to question it.

You seem to miss the point that so many people these days sign up to all inclusive phone packages which provide virtually unlimited calls at varying times of the day AT ABSOLUTELY NO CHARGE WHATSOEVER!!!

This does not cover 0845 numbers and so you are creating an additional charge on us. The fact that it is a low rate charge is not the issue - people like you are costing us money AND WE DON'T LIKE IT!

If you want to be the Mr NiceGuy you claim to be, then published your geographical number as well. In that way everybody wins.

Bill   

Neil

I signed-up for BT's all inclusive package of £29.50 per month expecting it to cover all my UK calls (as advised by the sales exec!).  Only to find out on reciept of my first bill, that 0845 and 0870 cost extra.  Cosequently, if a company offers contact only via 0845/0870 I don't call it - I only use geographical or freephone numbers.

BT are doing business a great disservice by promoting these non-geographical numbers without informing companies of the potential impact of the various tarriffs their  customers and prospective customers could be on - When I called BT to enquire about 0845/0870 they made no mention of the conflict with all inclusive packages.

I understand there are some very cheap 0800 packages available - I don't think they're with BT though!

All the best

Rob