OFCOM changes to 0870 calls
Background to 0870
OFCOM have announced that the rebate currently paid against 0870 numbers will shortly come to an end.
Background to the Pricing of 0870 National Rate Numbers
The dialling code 0870 is defined by OFCOM as Special Services: Higher Rate. When originally introduced, it was to be charged at no more than BT's standard national rate charges of 7.91p daytime, 3.95p evening and 1.5p weekend.
It is a non-geographic number (NGN); meaning it does not relate to any specific location in the United Kingdom like a standard geographic (01 or 02) telephone number does. This feature appealed to many businesses who were allowed to advertise just one telephone number to their customers through which all their services could be accessed regardless of the location of the company offices.
Over time call rates offered by telecom networks have dramatically reduced but the 0870 call charge was “frozen” in time. The difference between the call charge and the reducing network cost of delivering the call allowed a call payment (a rebate) to be made to the company owning the 0870 telephone number.
Many businesses utiling 0870 numbers took advantage of these revenues to provide better call handling features for customer service via interactive voce recognition (IVR) telephone systems.
The uptake of of 0870 was widespread throughout the UK, being used by Government bodies and the BBC.
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Summary
Background to 0870 numbers
OFCOM descision
Options available for 0870 numbers
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