Good news for consumers feeling trapped in their landline phone contract. Ofcom have announced that charges for early termination could be cut by as much as 85%. This is excellent news for customers who overlooked the length of contract they committed to (I have personally come across quite a few!!).

Ofcom have been working with BT, TalkTalk and Virgin Media to ensure that the charges customers face when they end their contract early reflects the costs that these providers save by no longer providing the service.

The cheaper early termination charges will also apply to landline customers who receive broadband in the same package. TalkTalk have offered the new charges since 1^st June 2010, with Virgin Media and BT introducing the new charges from October 2010.

Ofcom expect other providers to follow suit and reduce their early termination charges or face formal enforcement. If you feel that you are paying more than you should for landline services (landline rental & calls) now is the time to review the situation!

If like me… you occasionally get confronted with an area code or phone number that you are either unsure of the location or the likely charge… help is at hand.

Click on the link below and it will take you to a helpful site that will answer your question. Simply scroll down the page and then enter the telephone number you wish to review, the site will then respond with all the known details for the number.

Remember this site is geared to answering queries on area codes and identifying the originating telephone operator (handy for non-geographic numbers like 0800, 0845, 0870 etc). It will not provide you with Directory Enquiry information.

www.ukphoneinfo.com/locator.php

If you market your business using 0870 contact numbers the chances are you are probably somewhat confused by the rumours of changes to the service.

Strange this… because if you were to ask most callers what they will be charged prior to dialling an 0870 number, the chances are they will not know the correct fee.

Confusion all round then!!

After 3 years of discussions (and no end of uncertainty) Ofcom has published its final statement on the changes to the 0870 range, and at the same time Ofcom has revealed its guidelines for future 0870 termination rates (which network providers base their charges and rebates).

The new directive will affect the charges networks can make to customers for calls made to 0870 numbers and how these charges are advertised. The changes will also affect the arrangements between networks and their customers who use 0870 numbers to receive calls.

Impact on the Networks

Future calls to 0870 numbers must be charged by the network operator at the same rate as their calls to geographic numbers (ie 01865 / 0207). Calls to 0870 numbers must also be included within any packages, bundled call allowance or special offers.

Networks will be permitted to charge more than the geographic rate but only if they include a prominent statement in any advertising, promotional material or published tariffs.

Networks will only be allowed to refer to 0870 calls as “national rate” in advertising or promotional material when the charge is the same for their geographic calls.

Impact on the Customer

As Ofcom enforce the reduction in inter-network termination rates, revenues created by 0870 will dramatically reduce, such that any previously agreed revenue share for the customer will cease.

In addition any previously funded network service (such as Interactive Voice Response or Intelligent Call Routing) will have to be paid for. Meaning that customers who receive calls via their 0870 number will be charged for the privilege!

My Recommendations

Businesses promoting 0870 numbers have until 1^st August 2009 until the changes come into force (this date looks unlikely to change). Between now and August businesses should arrange alternative numbers and begin the process of changing websites, literature etc.

Companies caught in this situation can contact me to discuss alternative non-geographic numbers, which are easy to allocate and set up.

(Mobile – 07595 336184)

Hello everyone…

My intention for this part of the site will be to post useful information and comment on a range of telecom services. Hopefully my clients (including future ones!) will find the updates and comments helpful, so that this site becomes a useful source of information aimed specifically at their needs and future requirements.

Topics will be varied but will include telephone network services (line installation, rental and call charges), phone systems (digital, hybrids & IP), NGN numbers (non-geographic numbers) along with mobile phones and the latest news on IP (internet protocol) services.

I welcome your feedback on particular subjects or indeed general comments regarding the content of the site. For more information regrading the services I supply please take a look at my website: www.simonhayler.co.uk