Following a consultation process, the telecoms regulator Ofcom implemented changes to non-geographic numbers beginning with 08 and 09. They came into effect on 1st July 2015. The aim was to make the cost of calling these numbers clear for everyone.
So what changed?
There were two main changes as part of the Ofcom statement: Simplifying Non-Geographic Numbers:
- Free means free. Calls to 080x numbers are free from wherever they originate, meaning both UK landlines and mobiles.
- Unbundled pricing. An ‘unbundled tariff’ is applied to numbers beginning with 084, 087, 09 or 118. There has historically been confusion over the costs of calling these numbers, but they are now separated into an Access Charge (unregulated and set by the phone company originating the call) and a Service Charge (regulated and set by the phone company that operates the number).
Price publication obligation
Users of 084 and 087 numbers covered by the unbundled pricing have an obligation to publish the Service Charges wherever they advertise or publish their numbers. This should be in a format similar to ‘Calls will cost Xppm plus your phone company’s access charge’. The recommended wording is issued by the Committee for Advertising Practice (CAP).
The Service Charges for the 08 number ranges are as follows (the cost includes VAT):
|
0843 |
0844 |
|||
| 0843 512 | 4p per minute | 0844 247 | 7p per minute | |
| 0843 456 | 3p per minute | 0844 663 | 7p per minute | |
| 0843 460 | 2p per minute | 0844 840 | 7p per minute | |
| 0843 505 | 1p per minute | 0844 850 | 7p per minute | |
|
0845 |
087 |
|||
| 0845 230 | 7p per minute | 0870 044 | 8p per minute | |
| 0845 260 | 7p per minute | 0870 350 | 8p per minute | |
| 0845 370 | 7p per minute | 0870 610 | 8p per minute | |
| 0845 460 | 7p per minute | 0870 620 | 8p per minute | |
| 0845 470 | 7p per minute | 0870 621 | 8p per minute | |
| 0845 505 | 7p per minute | |||
| 0845 520 | 7p per minute | 0871 250 | 13p per minute | |
| 0845 647 | 7p per minute | 0871 876 | 13p per minute | |
| 0845 812 | 7p per minute |
If your Windsor Telecom number is not in the ranges above, then it is likely you have ported the number to us. The Service Charge is set by the originating operator (e.g. BT or Gamma).
Summary and links
Ofcom’s Simplifying Non-Geographic Numbers took effect from 1st July 2015. Calls to 080 numbers are free to all UK callers. Call charges for calls to 084, 087, 09* and some other numbers are split into an Access Charge and a Service Charge. Users have an obligation to publish the Service Charges wherever they advertise the phone number.
Windsor Telecoms access charge is 6.5ppm.
* Windsor Telecom does not provide 09 services. This information is provided for completeness.