bigjohn wrote on Jul 2
nd, 2014 at 8:54pm:
I am a customer of First Direct.
calls to 03 456 numbers are charged in a similar way to 08 456 numbers so from land lines they typically cost up to 10p per minute and between 10p and 40p from mobiles.
A quick read of Ofcom's "number crunching" document shows that the overall
range of prices charged for 0845 and 0345 numbers is similar. Once "inclusivity" is taken into account, it is clear that while 0345 is usually included, 0845 is rarely included. However, Ofcom's document does not address the latter issue and never intended to do so.
Ofcom's document is focussed on letting consumers know the maximum they could be charged. It's of little use in comparing numbers or for finding the cheapest. Unfortunately, it seems that is what a number of readers do attempt to glean from it.
The "unbundled tariff" system will bring much needed clarity to these call prices and it's not too early to start discussing 084 and 087 call prices in terms of Service Charge and Access Charge, noting that (until June 2015) phone providers only advertise the combined total in their retail call price lists.