Ofcom has announced it's changing how telephone numbers are charged, with the intention of making the cost of calling businesses and services simpler to understand.
It's true that calling from a mobile, the supposedly free 0800 numbers...aren't exactly er...free.
Then you've got all the 08, 09 and 118 ranges. And it's a bit confusing to say the least.
Unless you are using a BT landline, it's difficult to know how much you are charged. Many organisations use these numbers, (because they are often used for call tracking, as well as revenue generation...) but Ofcome is expected to introduce a single ‘access charge’ consumers pay thei phone company for all calls to these numbers, and a ‘service charge’ to the company or organisation they are calling.
Ofcom says,
"Phone companies will inform their customers of their access charge when they sign up to a new service, and it will appear on bills; while service providers will specify the charge for their service wherever they advertise or communicate it. Consumers will therefore be able to understand the exact cost of making the call by adding the access and service charges together."
Ofcom also intends that 0800 (Freephone) numbers will be made free from all telephones, including mobiles... although presumably consumers still pay to access these numbers via their phone provider, as mentioned above.
Getting significant 0800 call volumes means more costs with Ofcom changes....
Consultation process
Ofcom has to have a consultation process as there will probably be a medium term process by which telecoms companies make the adjustments to their call tracking numbers.
This process is for 18 months from the end of May 2013.
What this means to you...
It would be a good idea to review the use of any 08 numbers you are using. It's likely that it will cost you more to operate these numbers once the Ofcom changes are made.
Even better, perhaps now is a good time to consider changes to your call tracking systems and how you measure calls. We'd be happy to help you with your audit.
AdMeter has local, non-geographic and premium rate phone numbers available - all able to seamlessly integrate with the AdMeter call tracking system.
As Ofcom is going to be looking at this area you can steal a march on the changes.
Call us today on 0800 152 8825 and we'll help you make sense of it all.
AdMeter.co.uk, the UK's top rated call tracking system.
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