loddon wrote on May 22
nd, 2010 at 3:59pm:
sherbert wrote on May 22
nd, 2010 at 1:06pm:
The reason why, has been said many times over the last few weeks is because when ever anyone has anything to say, you always argue the opposite to anyone else's suggestions that they may put and not only that as mentioned before, you usually respond in such a patronising and belittling way, most members have given up contributing. As always you seem to think to treat this is as your own forum and unless anyone agrees with you, you are not happy.
So, I guess that is why I and most others do not add to the discussion in this thread on what action Ofcom should now be taking.
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Sherbert, it is a great pity that you don't feel like posting and particularly on this thread because this is a most important subject and it is probably a once in a decade or more opportunity for us to tell Ofcom what we think they should be doing about the whole numbering architecture and non-geographic services.
I appeal to you not to be put off by the postings of one individual. Where's the good old British fighting spirit?
If you disagree then say so, this is an open public Forum and anyone can say whatever they like within the normal bounds of decency and civility. And I must say this Forum is usually a very civil place and people can have reasonable discussions and can reason in depth if they fell inclined.
As for SCV I don't think he is half as bad as you make out. He puts forward his views forcefully and appears to have certain deeply held principles, like the NHS being "free at the point of need", but I must say he has never attacked any poster at a personal level. I think he only attacks the argument or will question or try to correct alleged facts, but he doesn't get personal, as far as I have noticed. Yes, he may be difficult to argue against sometimes, and I have found him locquacious, long-winded, overly persistent and sometimes damned irritating occasionally (fair comment SCV?
) and at others quite difficult to spar with but I believe he is fair and will acknowledge valid points and arguments when he can. SCV is also an indefatigable campaigner and a great asset to our cause.
So can I urge you and others to please give your views on what Ofcom should be doing about non-geo numbers and services. I have set out my own view in earlier posts and would welcome support and comment from you or anyone else. My contention is that the concept of revenue sharing is conceptually wrong, unethical and a rip-off of all telephone callers. It should not be allowed except, perhaps, with the exception of 09 numbers where appropriate controls and rules are applied by Ofcom/PPP. I think all 084/7 numbers should be treated in exactly the same way as 03 numbers as that would eliminate most of the scams that the public are currently subject to.
So come on lads and lasses, as Mrs Merton would say, lets have a heated debate.
~ Edited by Dave: Quote box finished off
Thanks for your witty response lodden and I will put my views here, although I know 'His Holiness' will disagree with me as usual and will have to put up with his usual nonsensical and patronising reply.
I have said elsewhere in this forum that SCV's statement about 'the NHS being "free at the point of need"', is of course complete and utter nonsense. We all (or most of us) pay our contributions to the government to pay for the NHS. We also pay for prescriptions, dental care, phone calls to the doctor, car parking to visit a hospital for an appointment and at the end of our lives we have to sell our homes to pay for care before we go to the great unknown, just to name a few. Nothing in this life (and that includes the NHS) is free. If SCV thinks it is free, I wonder how he thinks it is funded?
As to the more relevent point about telephone calls, this is what I think should be happening.... With the exception of calls to 'chose a Dorothy' and programmes like that, competition games on the television, radio and the press, calls to technical help lines, and other such calls where it is obvious this is the only way the company is going to receive any revenue, (and to save any confusion they should all be 09 numbers) should all be included in the various calling plans that are about thus being charges the same rate as 01, 02 & 03 calls. After all BT and some others have now included 0870 & 0845 calls into their inclusive packages, so let us see the rest of the 08 numbers included.
This would make everything simple and everybody will then know exactly what the call charge is.
Calls to to technical help lines should either be answered or the engaged signal should cut in if the line is busy. It is completely unacceptable to be kept on hold listening to music, advertisements and announcements and having to pay ridiculous sums of money for the priviledge. I never know why people object to paying for technical help on the telephone, they would not expect someone to turn up at their house to fix something for free.
All freephone numbers such as 0800, 0808, 0500 etc.etc. should be 'free' on all mobiles as well as land lines.
So, there is my contribution to this debate and hope it will prove useful.