A couple of weeks ago I posted about the government using 0870 numbers to generate money. If nothing else, it’s a sneaky little tactic.
At the time, I mentioned that these sorts of premium rate numbers are frowned upon by the government’s own telecoms regulator, Ofcom.
Ofcom has now pledged to investigate these numbers – but not until 2008 at the earliest!
According to Reuters:
Under the 2008 changes, Ofcom will require mobile and fixed-line providers to charge the same or less for 0870 calls as they do for national-rate calls to geographic numbers, starting 01 or 02. If providers want to charge more for 0870 calls, they will have to make a free-to-caller price pre-announcement at the start of the call. This change is likely to significantly reduce the price of many calls to 0870 numbers. It will also mean that 0870 calls will generally be included in call packages.
So it’s probably worth keeping an eye on SayNoTo0870.com for a bit longer.
I personally, never dial an 0870 number. I too view them as a rip-off and a very crafty one at that, because most people don’t realise the cost involved. In fact, a few people I’ve spoken to thought 0870 was freephone! They’re no much better than companies using premium-rate 09 numbers.
One thing that annoys me a lot is companies that use 0800 numbers for new customers and 0870 numbers for their existing customers to exploit even more money from them. I always ring the 0800 number and ask to be transferred before searching for an 01 or 02 number.
I’m pleased OFCOM have finally decided to look at it but I do believe it should have been done a long time ago and the timeframe they’ve set to do it is attrocious.
Rant over :)
Arkad