Ofcom & 0870 Numbers - Urgent Update

Ofcom confirmed on 29th October 2007 they will be delaying the implementation of changes to 0870 numbers.

They also confirmed that there would be formal notification put into the public domain stating this within the next few days. As a result of this Telecoms Suppliers are now able to provide this information to their customers.

This means the proposed changes to 0870 numbers e.g. stopping out-payments and changing call charges will not be implemented on 1st February 2008.

At the moment it is unclear how long this delay may be as Ofcom may need to consult on new or amended policy proposals for 0870.

Why has this happened?

The main reasons for this delay is the growing opposition to these changes from major companies/sectors who use 0870 numbers, and that Ofcom have learned a valuable lesson with the recent changes they made to 070 numbers, where pre-call announcements are having to be utilised.

They discovered that the pre-call announcements applied to 070 numbers have caused 'safety of life issues' with critical emergency type services that use 070 numbers and have put the public at risk by making them waste valuable time listening to the pre-recordings rather than getting help.

The Ofcom proposals regarding 0870 numbers from 1st February 2008 includes a similar ability to apply pre-call announcements should an Originating Communication Providers wish to still charge more than the standard national rate (OCPs e.g. who the caller uses to dial the number, such as BT, Vodafone, 02, Kingston Communications etc). It is feared that again these pre-recordings could waste time in time-critical situations and as such, Ofcom has decided to delay the current 0870 policy implementation and undertake an assessment.

General 0870 History

Although there is a delay if Ofcom’s proposals still go ahead then the UK’s 0870 numbers will be very different indeed. It means that 0870 numbers will almost certainly attract inbound call changes payable by the number owner. At the moment some owners of 0870 numbers are able to earn small amounts of revenue from their 0870 numbers, which is generated when callers use their numbers.

This has meant that they are able to provide additional services to their customers, such as technical support lines, emergency numbers or help lines. Furthermore many charities actually completely rely on this extra revenue stream to keep afloat and provide valuable services to the public.

Windsor Telecom has kept its customers completely up-to-date with developments through our 0870 Advice Pages and our team of dedicated Account Managers.

• Have you got an 0870 number?
• What’s your view?
• What do you think of the delay?
  

Please comment & see our 0870 Advice Pages to learn more