Telecoms regulator plans to remove mobile charges on 0800 numbers

Telecoms regulator OFCOM has revealed a plan to make calls to 0800 numbers free of charge for mobile users, along with plans to clarify the cost of making a call to numbers beginning with 08 and 09.

In a statement, OFCOM’s chief executive Ed Richards said that the regulator wants to simplify the process of making calls to different business and public sector numbers.

“If calls to 0800 numbers from all phones are made free, then any uncertainty about making calls to those numbers, especially through mobiles, will be cleared up to the benefit of consumers and service providers,” Mr Richards said to ZDNet.

OFCOM added: “We aim to try and tackle the confusion about how much it costs to call 03, 08, 09 and 118 numbers, as well as to try and restore trust in using those numbers which has been lost due to the complicated nature of pricing.”

As well as making calls to 0800 numbers via mobiles free, OFCOM also intends to implement a new pricing structure for 08, 09 and 118 numbers. The regulator said that information should be made clearer about ‘revenue-sharing’ numbers, where the cost of a call is split between the consumer and the provider.

OFCOM’s proposal involves splitting the costs involved into ‘access charges’ and ‘service charges’, which it hopes will make it simpler for those needing to call those numbers, especially if they don’t have access to a BT line.

The regulator plans to make a final decision during the early part of 2013. Consumer groups have welcomed OFCOM’s plans, citing reasons such as removal of costs for calling 0800 numbers from mobile phones for people who struggle to deal with the costs.

 

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