Will the 4G licence auction fund rural broadband?
The people of rural Britain are getting fed up….As if slow, or non-existent broadband wasn’t bad enough because of long line lengths and decaying old copper wires, going mobile isn’t even an option to them like it is for urbanites. That’s right, the price you pay for living in the beautiful British countryside is a lack of decent broadband speed or mobile phone services. (more…)
Ofcom Steps in to Resolve Dispute Between BT and Mobile Operators.Since November 2009, BT (British Telecommunications plc) has introduced a new charging system regarding the mobile termination rates of calls to 0845 and 0870 number ranges.
Whilst BT has always had a termination charge for 0845 and 0870 numbers hosted on their network, the new introduced amendments have seen BT charge termination costs as a percentage of customers pricing as made by the mobile operators, on top of already set mobile termination rates. This means an additional charge based on the average retail price by the mobile operators.
BT are able to charge what they believe to be suitable amounts to be able to recover termination costs, with charges being easy to implement and beneficial to end customers.
Mobile termination rates have therefore been unpredictable, leading to Ofcom receivng complaints by affected mobile operators, including Vodafone Limited, Telefonica O2 UK Limited, T-Mobile Limited, Orange Personal Communications Services Limited and Hutchison 3G UK Limited.
Ofcom have deamed the dispute viable for their intervention believing BT’s actions are not beneficial enough to end customers. Using Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the Communications Act, Ofcom have directed BT to pay the extended termination rates back to the mobile service providers.
For more information regarding the dispute and subsequent involvement by Ofcom, please see
The writer of this article accepts no liability for legislative content.
Phonepay Plus – Telecoms RegulatorWho is Phonepay Plus?
Phonepay Plus is a non-profit making organisation which regulates phone-paid services in the UK. Previously known as ICSTIS the company rebranded in 2007. As a telecoms regulator they use their Code of Practice to monitor and regulate service providers ensuring clear price structures, truthful advertising, content and promotions.
Telecoms regulator Phonepay Plus investigates consumer complaints, having the power to impose penalties and restrictions on companies in breach of their Code of Practice. This can include fines, blocking service access and in some cases preventing the individual trader from setting up under a different company name.
Telecoms regulator Phonepay Plus are an independent organisation but are directed by Ofcom under the Communications Act 2003. Telecoms regulator Ofcom is the ultimate enforcement of communication providers, with Phonepay Plus acting as authority on a daily basis.
What are phone-paid services?
Premium rate goods and services charged to a phone bill or pre-pay account are termed as phone-paid services. Whenever you vote in a televised competition, receive mobile alerts, ring directory services, enter competitions or receive downloads to your mobile phone, you are using a phone-paid service. It also includes internet services, fax emails and the interactive television red button.
For further information see:
http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/default.aspx
08 Direct receive all their numbers directly from Ofcom, for more information on non geographical freephone number, 08 numbers, 0844 numbers, 0845 numbers, 0871 numbers, 0800 numbers, 070 numbers and 03 numbers follow the links.
