There is a report today from The Independent:

Number may be up for costly 0800 and 084 calls

Quote:

The report makes a very valid point; that we should not rush into making 0800 numbers free to call from mobile phones without considering all the issues.

Whilst we may all wish to see a day when they are free, we cannot overlook the higher cost of transferring calls mobile phones which has yet to be addressed.

Calling for "freephone" numbers to be free to call from mobile phones now would leave the mobile operators to offset the lost revenue on other services or would require users of 0800 numbers to pay more for calls from mobiles. It is fanciful to think that mobile operators would make 0800 numbers free without these consequences, while ever the cost of termination of incoming calls is so high with respect to that of landline destinations.


We hear doctors saying that telephone companies should not charge extra for calling their Business Rate numbers. They believe that they should not be passing on the "Service Charge" to individual callers and should instead load it on customers in general. Essentially, their position is that someone else should pay whilst perhaps painting the picture that no one will pay and that it's someone else's fault that callers do pay more.

There are parallels between these doctors and with users of mobile phones who are calling for 0800 calls to be free, without acknowledging that this can only be so when the cost of termination issue is reduced. They made the choice to use a mobile phone in just the same way as the doctors opted for their phone systems. Both parties don't like it when the costs for those choices are put on themselves.

I strongly believe that 0800 and 0808 numbers should be FREE from mobiles I think for years mobile users have been discriminated.

In reply to the comment in regard to charities the simple solution is to use an 03 number this will enable charities to control the cost of the calls

On the scale of things the charity expenses are a drop in the ocean, although I do sympathise with their plight but mobile phone users are being ripped off to the tune of millions and something needs to be done about it.

I do not fully understand all the tarrifs and cost of connection charges and I do appreciate that the cost will be have to be paid. The only problem I have with the whole Free Phone issues is that the caller should not have to pay for 0800 0808-0500 calls when they have been free since their inception.

It is very simple as far as I can see 0800,0808, and 0500 have been free to the caller for years and mobile users should be provided with the same service.

The mobile sector is very profitable and time should be spent enforcing the fact that these numbers should always be free to the caller as they have always been.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2113448/Mobile-networks-face-ban-chargin...

Mobile networks face ban on charging customers for 0800 calls within weeks

    Currently, mobile users pay up to 40p a minute to dial the numbers, which are free to call from a landline
    They are used by many public bodies, including councils and the NHS

By Sean Poulter

PUBLISHED: 23:26, 11 March 2012 | UPDATED: 07:32, 12 March 2012


Ofcom is to ban mobile phone firms from charging customers who call 0800 numbers.

Currently, mobile users pay up to 40p a minute to dial the numbers, which are free to call from a landline and are used by many public bodies, including councils and the NHS.

The regulator is due to ban the practice within weeks and introduce rules to clarify other charges for so-called non-geographic numbers beginning with 08 or 09.
Currently, mobile users pay up to 40p a minute to dial the numbers, which are free to call from a landline and are used by many public bodies, including councils and the NHS

Currently, mobile users pay up to 40p a minute to dial the numbers, which are free to call from a landline and are used by many public bodies, including councils and the NHS

Such changes will help reveal the true cost of taking part in phone votes for reality TV shows such as Britain’s Got Talent.

Phone companies will be required to inform customers of the standard cost of calling an 09 premium number, while TV companies running the polls will have to show additional charges on-screen.

Ofcom is also planning to clear up the confusion surrounding the cost of using 118 directory enquiry services.

Scandals involving such services include one customer receiving a bill for £350 after he was connected to the number he wanted, while another was charged £62 after being put through to NHS Direct for medical advice.

As with 09 numbers, phone companies will be required to spell out the standard charge for calling a 118 service under Ofcom’s proposals.
Revealing: Such changes will help reveal the true cost of taking part in phone votes for reality TV shows such as Britain¿s Got Talent

Revealing: Such changes will help reveal the true cost of taking part in phone votes for reality TV shows such as Britain's Got Talent

Directory enquiry firms will also have to advertise what charges they apply on top of this figure.

The plans were first outlined at the end of 2010. Following a consultation, Ofcom is set to announce its decisions imminently.

The regulator’s chief executive, Ed Richards, has highlighted the need for change, saying: ‘There is clear evidence of widespread uncertainty and confusion about the cost of calling these numbers.

‘Consumers need to have far more transparency about the price they are going to pay for calls so that they can make more informed choices and so competition can work more effectively.

‘Making 0800 free from a mobile and giving people clarity about what they are paying for 118 directory enquiry services will improve transparency, improve competition and enhance trust in these important services.’

catj wrote on Mar 13^th, 2012 at 12:27am:


I fully agree, it shouldn't have taken anything like as long as it has but at least the powers that be appear to be doing something constructive.

I also believe that this forum and the members have played a part in this outcome

Unable to reach the Ofcom web site all day, so can't look at the details. Perhaps someone can try from the UK:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/simplifying-non-geographic-no/?ut...


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17610232

4 April 2012 Last updated at 07:10 ET

<<
Mobile phone users could get free 0800 calls

Free calls to 0800 telephone numbers will be extended to anyone using a mobile phone, under plans announced by the regulator, Ofcom.

The vast majority of these calls are charged at up to 21p a minute for mobile users, under current rules.

But Ofcom wants to make these 0800 calls free, as they are from landlines.

A consumer watchdog said many callers already thought these calls were free for everyone and were hit with a shock when their bill arrived.

"This could be particularly frustrating if they have been kept on hold or on the line for a long time when dealing with a complaint to a company, on a number that is described as freephone," said Adam Scorer, of Consumer Focus.

"Many households living on low incomes - who can least afford the charges - only have access to a mobile phone. They are hit hardest by the cost of 0800 numbers from mobiles.

"Changes to make this part of the market simpler are long overdue. We would like to see them brought in as quickly as possible."

A final decision by Ofcom on the proposed new rules will be made by early 2013.

Ofcom said that the proposed changes were aimed at helping consumers "regain trust" in these phone numbers.

"By making calls to 0800 numbers free from all phones, we will clear up any uncertainty about making calls, especially from mobiles, to the benefit of consumers and service providers alike," said Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom.

Ofcom is also proposing to clarify and simplify charges to 08, 09 and 118 numbers, which include information, banking, directory inquiry and entertainment services.

Unless they are using a BT line, callers do not know how much the charges for such calls.

Non-geographic numbers can be used to call businesses and government agencies like HM Revenue and Customs and NHS Direct, make payments for services, and vote on television shows.

However, Ofcom said research had shown many people were confused about what non-geographic numbers were for and how much they cost, resulting in a lack of confidence and trust in the services.

As a result, consumers made fewer calls to these numbers, providers were discouraged from using them and there was less innovation that might benefit consumers.
>>

at the start of march I complained to ofcom about 0845 (mainly due to a £30 bill I got for calls to the DWP).  I then got what looked like a copy and paste reply which stated 0845 is no longer advertised as local rate and they dont see a big issue with it.

I then proceeded to use an application to search google for 0845 and "local rate" and came up with 100s of hits, and forwarded it onto ofcom.  It seemed a coincidence within a few weeks they announced this for 0800 and 08xx numbers.

They did claim tho they were already leaning no the government to move all public services to 03xx from 08xx.

The suggestions I made to ofcom were.

0845/0870/0871/0844 etc. should be advertised as premium rate because thats effectively what they are on a lot of phone providers.
call rates should no longer only account for BT charges and ignore other networks.
Anyone who doesnt frequently move should use a geographical number. since 0845 is supposedbly to allow companies to redirect calls.
0845 should be included in all call allowances that include geographical numbers.

Although I didnt mention 0800 so this announcement may well have have been nothing to do with me and just coincidence

funny they call it confusion tho.

the situation is so bad that virgin media now actually charge more for 0845 than 0870.