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Playing the numbers game
WHAT happened to making a simple phonecall?
Contacting a business, service or public authority used to be as easy as calling a friend.
Phone numbers were devised by geographical area.
That is they had an area code such as 0113 (Leeds), 01924 (Wakefield) or 01423 (Harrogate).
The only exceptions in recent times being perhaps mobile (07) or Freephone (0800) numbers.
It was a simple system that made sense. And one that indicated how much a call might cost before you even got to the dialling tone.
Then in 2000 'The Big Number Change' introduced a whole host of non-geographic numbers.
That is, companies were able to compete with BT over the amount charged for calls and were even given the green light to revenue share (where a business or organisation is able to receive a share of the revenue generated by per-minute call charges) on new 08 numbers.
The idea was to open up the system to competition, yet suddenly phonecalls could cost the customer anything.
Some premium rate numbers (09) still charge in excess of 1 per call; other specialised numbers might charge a one-off connection fee with a further per minute charge.
Today there are dozens of different prefixes and no easy to follow pricing guide.
The costing system is not just complex, but near-on impossible.
Even when you have finally worked out what type of phone number you are dealing with – local, national or premium rate – you then need to consult the phone number almanac to work out how much your network or call provider will charge you.
That is communication firms such as BT, Talk Talk, Virgin or TMobile each have their own price plans.
Following an unprecedented number of complaints about the cost of 087 numbers, Ofcom recently ruled that phone firms must bring these calls into line with local and national rate ones by August 1.
After this date premium rate services regulator PhonepayPlus will be responsible for expensive 08 numbers.
Communications providers that want to charge 0870 calls at rates above those for geographic numbers will be bound by strict rules about how prices are publicised and will be responsible for ensuring their customers know what 0870 calls cost.
BT was the first to comply, and went one step further to reduce the costs of 0845 numbers too.
Communications providers can continue to charge 0870 calls at rates above those for geographic numbers, but these will be responsible for ensuring that customers know this.
Annie Shaw, editor of internet finance advice website cashquestions.com, said: "Calls to 0870 and 0845 numbers can be a major cost to customers.
"We would urge more phone companies to offer packages which include such calls being free. BT's move earlier this year to include free 0870 and 0845 in all-inclusive pricing was a major step forward.
"Yorkshire households can now use these services at no extra cost to spring clean their finances or fix technical problems they have been putting off."
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