Telephone Changes in Pipeline

The consultation period regarding changes to 0870 numbers closed some weeks ago and we are now waiting for OFCOM to confirm the change date which is expected to be some time this autumn. So what might it mean for your organisation?

If you operate an 0870 number, you will start to pay to receive your telephone calls and you will no longer receive revenue share from these calls. Under the new regulations, you will pay 3p per minute to receive the calls!

The future telephone numbering plan includes a facility for holders of 087* numbers to transfer them to an equivalent 037* number. In addition, it appears that a new category - 030 numbers is to be created for public sector bodies and not-for-profit bodies. Organisations offering you 0844 numbers will be keen to retain income generated from revenue sharing on supposedly "local rate" numbers. This is actually a "Lo-Call" scheme charging top whack BT rates to callers.

The full description of 030 numbers is shown in the Ofcom document in the weblink. "UK-wide Numbers at a geographic rate: to be used
by public sector bodies and not-for-profit bodies, calls charged at up to the same rate the customer would pay to call a UK Geographic Number, with calls to 030 numbers counting towards inclusive call minutes if the customer has remaining inclusive minutes to UK Geographic Numbers, and included in any discount structures that apply to UK Geographic Numbers."

Ofcom Numbers Plan