Industry regulator Ofcom is pressuring the mobile networks in the United Kingdom to include 0870 numbers in the allowance of bundled minutes on mobile phone contracts.? Many organisations use these 0870 numbers to hide the location of their business, many smaller local companies feel that it gives their company a more 'national' feel, making their companies seem bigger or more substantial than they actually are. The 0870 numbers were actually included in the allowance of minutes by most, if not all, of the networks towards the end of 2007.? However now all the mobile networks in the United Kingdom charge extra for calling these numbers.? A short call to an 0870 number can end up costing pounds on top of your line rental charge. Ofcom has set out proposals to say that all 0870 number should be treated the same as normal landline numbers.? They feel that this will be fairer and provide clarity to customers, some of whom are not aware of the extra cost of calling these numbers. However, while this is obviously a good idea and if agreed will mean that many customer mobile bills will drop in cost significantly, there is also the small issue of 0800 numbers!? Many of these are actually chargeable by mobile networks, with only a handful of charity numbers being actually free to all from mobiles. Now while the mobile networks do advise that the 0800 numbers will be charged - with an announcement at the start of the call, surely there should also be a ruling that means these are at the very least included in the allowance of minutes?? If they have to be billed at all! |
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