derrick wrote on Aug 16
th, 2010 at 11:06am:
... Still don't get it do they?
SilentCallsVictim wrote on Aug 16
th, 2010 at 2:40pm:
This issue is very complex; I suspect that none of us totally gets it.
derrick wrote on Aug 18
th, 2010 at 9:15am:
Get with the programme!
SilentCallsVictim wrote on Aug 18
th, 2010 at 10:27am:
Those who wish to be pedantic on points like this must get it right.
sherbert wrote on Aug 18
th, 2010 at 11:38am:
That sounds a bit patronising SCV
Fair point.
sherbert wrote on Aug 18
th, 2010 at 11:38am:
Anyway, with your definitition of local rates, you appear to be in the minority
I do not believe that I have proposed a universal definition of the term "local rate", I have commented on how it used, abused and understood by others, for example:
SilentCallsVictim wrote on Aug 17
th, 2010 at 3:11pm:
Most people would give a meaning to the term "local rate". This would be the rate for making a call to a local number on a landline.
I do not believe that anyone else has offered an alternative suggestion of how readers of the Hillingdon PCT press release would understand the term "local rate" in context.
Perhaps someone would like to propose an alternative way in which the term would be understood, so as to cause confusion or a false impression about the cost of calling the new 03 number. We could then put the question relevant to this thread to a vote.
We could even commission some focus group research to see if it confirms that recently conducted by Ofcom to show that public understanding of the cost of calling NGCS numbers remains very poor.
In the broader context, someone may wish to offer an explanation for the 22 implied or explicit references to "local rate" in the BT price list, and perhaps challenge the definition of "local" that is presented there. Maybe we should we be discussing how Ofcom should revise the National Telephone Numbering Plan to remove the reference to "local rate" alongside the entry for 0845 - this will be amongst the matters it has currently under consideration.
By the very limited evidence of recent postings to this thread, I appear to be in a minority of contributors to this forum. I have repeatedly declared greater concern about abuse of the principles of the NHS than discussion about a particular use of words which neither intends to mislead, nor is likely to have that effect.
If we wish to take on the role of educating an ignorant population about the reality of telephone call charges then we have a duty not to add to misunderstanding, just because it suits our purpose, no matter how noble that may be. There is no point in adopting the tactics of adversaries who are more powerful and influential than we are.
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