 Non
Geographic Numbers
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Important Changes to Non-Geographic Numbers
Ofcom have
introduced a new non-geographic number range, and
have announced changes to the cost of some existing
numbers. This particularly affects helplines which
currently operate a ‘revenue share’ whereby some of
the cost the caller pays is passed back to the
helpline or is used to allow the helpline to pay a
reduced rate for the telephony service.
From now on,
helplines will be able to choose from the following
options:
-
0800 and 0808 will not change.
These remain free to call and
have never attracted a revenue share.
-
03x – This new range will be
charged at no more than the cost of
a UK call and revenue sharing will not be available on this range.
-
0845 – This will continue to be
charged at up to 4p per minute
to the caller and will still allow some revenue
share.
-
0844 – This will continue to be
charged at up to 5p per minute
to the caller and will still allow some revenue
share.
-
0870 – Existing 0870 numbers can
be retained but will lose
their revenue share and will be charged at the
same rates
-
as 03* numbers.
-
0871 – These numbers will still
be charged at up to 10p per minute
to the caller but will now be classed as ‘premium rate’ numbers
and will be regulated by ICSTIS. Services which
use 0871
numbers are not eligible for full THA
membership.
More on the new
"03" number range
Ofcom have now
announced criteria and timescale for the 03- number
range, where all calls are charged at same rates as
calls to 01- or 02- numbers. These numbers should be
available from October 2006 so new helplines or
helplines setting up an additional number, should be
aware
of this new option.
-
0300 numbers for the public
sector (including organisations with
a .gov.uk or .nhs.uk website) and not-for profit organisations such
as registered charities
-
0303 numbers for anyone
-
034x numbers available to people
who currently have 084x number
(so any organisation with 0845 456 7890 would have the option
of changing to 0345 456 7890)
-
037x numbers available to people
who currently have 087x numbers
The future of 0870
From January 2008
0870 numbers will change. Ofcom recognise that it
could cost organisations a lot if they are forced to
change their 0870 numbers to 03 numbers. Therefore,
organisations can continue to hold 0870 numbers but
the standard cost for calling an 0870 number will be
brought down to no more than the cost of a standard
UK call, i.e. the same as the new 03 number range.
This reduced cost to the caller will also mean no
revenue share.
0845 numbers
The 0345 range has
been reserved for those currently holding 0845
numbers, but it's important to note that switching
to an 03x number is optional, and if you do wish to
switch, you could also opt for one of the other 03x
ranges e.g. the 0300 range for non-profits.
Unlike 0870,
there are no firm plans to change the cost to call
an 0845 number. Therefore callers will still pay up
to 4p per call minute, which is significantly more
than the cost to call an 03x number, therefore it is
likely that the public will view 03x numbers more
positively than 0845.
Organisations with 0845 numbers may wish to reserve
a corresponding 0345 or 0300 number in case they
wish to switch in future. |
