Sep 28th 2005
By: Russ
By: Russ
Ofcom consults on numbering issues…
Ofcom released a consultation today, with responses due by December 6, on certain numbering issues, including:
* Ending revenue sharing on 0870 numbers to bring the prices in line with national rate geographic numbers.
* Reclassifying 0871 as premium rate (subject to ICSTIS regulation).
* 0844 - no changes proposed, but Ofcom will monitor for consumer protection.
* 0845 - used by 5 million ISP dial-ups; no changes proposed for the next two years.
* Migrating adult services from 08 numbers to only 09 numbers.
Click here for the consultation document.
Sep 28th 2005
Why has Ofcomwatch as usual not shown sufficient interest in the whole NTS overcharging issue and has also fallen for the untruths in the Ofcom press release headline compared to what is actually contained in the Consultation Documents?
Contrary to the misleading headline in the Ofcom press release revenue share will not be ended on 0870 and any current 0870 number will be able to continue revenue share subject to adding a voice call price announcement before the call connects. But because other 0870 numbers may also be charged at geographic rates and because 0870 has been marketed for years at National Rates the consumer will now be thoroughly confused.
More disgraceful is that if these proposals go ahead many 0845 numbers operated by charities, local authorities and other non profit bodies and historically marketed as Lo-Call will still be excluded from inclusive calling plans like BT Option 3 and will cost more per minute than many 0870 numbers.
Also 0845s in particular will continue to be subjected to obscene and quite unjustified premium rates by virtually all Pay as You Go mobile phone operators.
These proposals make no sense and are built around not upsetting the business interest of the fast collapsing 0845 dial up ISP market most of which is moving to ADSL or to 0808 dialup.
In these proposals Ofcom have not even abolished all 0845 and 0870 NTS revenue share as proposed by BT in their submission. Also these proposals come 15 months after BT abolished their Standard Line Rental and made 0870 and 0845 a premium call class for most uk telecoms consumers. What is worse there is now a further 3 month consultation which Ofcom will presumably then take another 9 months to digest before then making regulations to possibly actually change anything another year after that.
Why does this website so singularly fail to champion the current NTS 084/7 injustices. Is it because it receives sponsorship from the telecoms companies?
Sep 29th 2005
Reply to NonGeographical Man,
Please read our mission statement.
Apart from perhaps ‘regulatory transparency’ and similar issues, this website has no editorial bent. If you feel strongly about this issue and want to share your viewpoints beyond the comment you submitted, please email us at blog@ofcomwatch.co.uk - we’re more than pleased to host more coverage of this issue.
-Russ