Posted by Telecoms on Feb 5, 2009 in
NGN,
Telephony Over the last month or so, the rollout of a new batch of numbers has appeared indicating that the availability for 0844 and 0871 numbers is now becoming low.
You should be aware that 0843 Numbers are charged at the same rate as 0844, not the much cheaper 0845 numbers. Being an extension of the existing 0844 number range, they are also revenue bearing, meaning that if you own the number your provider may provide you with a revenue stream for every call your customers make to them.
Calls to these numbers are charged at a maximum of 5 Pence per minute from a BT landline, other operators will vary.
Currently these numbers fall under 17 different possible pricing codes from BT (ff29, g10, g11, g12, g16, g17, g18, g19, g20, g22, g24, g26, g27, g28, g6, g6, g8 and g9)
0872 and 0873 numbers are extensions of the 0871 numbers and are charged at the same 0871 rate. Again these are revenue bearing numbers which earn you a commission for every call made to them, assuming of course that you own the number.
Calls to these numbers are charged at a maximum of 10 Pence per minute from a BT landline, other operators will vary.
Currently these numbers fall under 11 different possible pricing codes from BT (ff15, ff28, g12, g13, g14, g15, g23, g24, g25, g6 and g7)
For further information on the costs of these calls, specific to your provider, you should consult your specific vendors price guide.
Tags: 0843, 0872, 0873
Posted by Telecoms on Jan 19, 2009 in
NGN Due to the recent changes imposed on the advertising of non-geographic numbers I thought it worth summarising some points that are already catching many people out.
0843, 0844 or 0845 – You may not use any statement that implies that these calls are charged at local rate. Instead you should make the customer aware of the actual cost of the call, or alternatively that calls are charged at a special services basic rate. Trading Standards suggest either of the following two statements;
• ’Calls will cost up to 5p per minute for BT customers. Calls made using other service providers or mobiles may cost more.’
• ’Calls charged at Special Services basic rate, check with your service provider.’
0870, 0871 or 0872 – You may not to use any statement that implies that these calls are charged at national rate. Instead you should make the customer aware of the actual cost of the call, or alternatively that calls are charged at a special services higher rate. Trading Standards suggest either of the following two statements;
• ’Calls will cost up to 10p per minute for BT customers. Calls made using other service providers or mobiles may cost more.’
• ’Calls charged at Special Services higher rate, check with your service provider.’
0800 & 0808 – These rules are very unclear at the moment, although there are no firm rules that prevent you from stating that these calls are “Freephone” despite calls to those numbers not being free from mobile phones and some landline call tariffs.
Under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, it is an offence to give misleading price indications to consumers and to omit details about prices if they also mislead. A £5,000 fine imposed at the magistrate’s court or an unlimited fine and/or a sentence of up to two years in prison can be imposed at the crown court.
For more information you should visit both Ofcom and The Committee of Advertising Practice alternatively contact your local Trading Standards office
Tags: 0843, 0844, 0845, 0870, 0871, 0872, advertising, NGN, non-geographic numbers