Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
SAYNOTO0870.COM

<---- Back to main website

 
Home Help Search Login Register

Pages: 1 2 
Send Topic Print
"Disadvantages of 0370" (Read 44,122 times)
AJR
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 107
"Disadvantages of 0370"
Nov 22nd, 2006 at 12:24pm
 
I was interested to come across the website www.0870advice.com which is advertised at the bottom of some pages on this website.

As a website aimed at providing advice to businesses who have 0870 numbers and how to deal with the introduction of the new regulations over the coming year, it's not surprising that they highlight disadvantages of the new 0370 number range.

But are they correct when they say on this page www.0870advice.com/moving-0370.html that the "called party pays to receive calls" and that 0370 numbers "Can not be called from outside UK"?

Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
NGMsGhost
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b
r />

Posts: 2,720
Surrey, United Kingdom
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #1 - Nov 22nd, 2006 at 2:17pm
 
AJR wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 12:24pm:
But are they correct when they say on this page www.0870advice.com/moving-0370.html that the "called party pays to receive calls" and that 0370 numbers "Can not be called from outside UK"?


Yes they will pay to receive the calls due to the alleged enhanced call routing functionality involved with all NGN numbers.  They just won't pay as much as you have to pay to receive a call on an 0800 number where you are also paying all of the standard network cost of conveying a phone call to you.  So if Call08 charge 2p per minute for 0800 hopefully it will only be 1p per minute or 0.5p per minute for 0370.  The point is that the operational convenience of having these facilities compared to using 01/02 should be such that it is worth all businesses who need to have them but who do not want to surcharge customers for calling them to have an 0370 number.

As to not being allowed to be called from outside the UK the cretinous Lord Currie and his Ofcom cronies have daftly once again allowed the market to decide this on a carrier by carrier basis.  However as the cost of routing the call to an 0370 number should be the same for the OCP as an 01/02 number I can see no reason for this and in my view Ofcom should be able to guarantee overseas routing to all 0370 carriers by all telecoms providers.  As ever Ofcom avoids making compulsory essential facilities like this in favour of politically correct crusades like banning so called junk food advertising on children's television.  So Ofcom can make things compulsory regardless of market forces, but it just chooses not to do so in this case. Wink Shocked Cry
Back to top
 

<div style=
 
IP Logged
 
Dave
Global Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 9,902
Yorkshire
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #2 - Nov 22nd, 2006 at 2:42pm
 
NGMsGhost wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 2:17pm:
As to not being allowed to be called from outside the UK the cretinous Lord Currie and his Ofcom cronies have daftly once again allowed the market to decide this on a carrier by carrier basis.  However as the cost of routing the call to an 0370 number should be the same for the OCP as an 01/02 number I can see no reason for this and in my view Ofcom should be able to guarantee overseas routing to all 0370 carriers by all telecoms providers.  As ever Ofcom avoids making compulsory essential facilities like this in favour of politically correct crusades like banning so called junk food advertising on children's television.  So Ofcom can make things compulsory regardless of market forces, but it just chooses not to do so in this case. Wink Shocked Cry

This continues the discussion here by 0870advice.com who is an NGN provider.

By allowing NGN providers to charge per minute, does this put us (in a round about fashion) back to square one?

03xx numbers should cost the same to terminate as 01/02 calls do, but they apparently will not. I can think of three options that originating providers will have:

1. Carry these calls at the same rate as geographical calls. This may have the tendancy to push up prices for these calls above what it actually costs for geographical calls and will surely be an issue for 'inclusive' packages where, presumably, the monthly charge is set at such a rate as to cover the cost of terminating all the geographical calls.
2. Carry these calls at a higher rate than geographical numbers (with a recorded announcement), thereby just continuing the current issues with these numbers.
3. Do not carry these numbers. This is obviously quite impractical, but nevertheless Ofcon allows such a 'choice' for anyone other than BT.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
NGMsGhost
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b
r />

Posts: 2,720
Surrey, United Kingdom
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #3 - Nov 22nd, 2006 at 2:53pm
 
If 03 numbers cost a customer making the call to them more than an 01 or 02 number from anywhere and/or cannot be accessed from anywhere in the world than an 01/02 number can be accessed then the useless Ofcom should be closed down for its total and utter shambolic incompetence and ineptitude.
Back to top
 

<div style=
 
IP Logged
 
farci
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 190
Glasgow
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #4 - Nov 22nd, 2006 at 3:28pm
 
NGMsGhost wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 2:53pm:
If 03 numbers cost a customer making the call to them more than an 01 or 02 number from anywhere and/or cannot be accessed from anywhere in the world than an 01/02 number can be accessed then the useless Ofcom should be closed down for its total and utter shambolic incompetence and ineptitude.


This is very bad news and seems to contradict Ofcom's news release in July 'Ofcom plans future of UK Telephone Numbering' http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2006/07/nr_20060727:

2. New UK-wide 03 number range

Ofcom will introduce new UK-wide 03 numbers from early next year. Calls to 03 numbers will cost the same as calls to geographic numbers, and be included as part of any inclusive call minutes or discount schemes for geographic calls. This will apply to calls from any line. No revenue sharing will be permitted on calls to 03 numbers.

The introduction of 03 numbers will enable organisations to offer consumers a single national point of contact without making additional charges for the service. This should give consumers confidence about calling 03 and Ofcom expects public services and many others to view 03 numbers as more appropriate than chargeable 08 numbers.


If 03 numbers are to be included in call allowances - how can a supplement be charged?

Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
bbb_uk
Global Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 2,041
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #5 - Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:09pm
 
The 0870advice.com website is definitely NOT impartial as they've got their own goldnumbers website for which they actually charge businesses, etc using their 0845 an incoming charge per minute unlike a lot of other 0845 providers that actually don't charge and some even give a revenue back to the business.

The range isn't just 0370 neither.

I believe that, as Ofcom have stated, calls to 03x numbers for us end consumers won't cost anymore than a geographical call.  However, it is entirely possible that businesses/gov depts may have to pay a per minute charge for calls received from us end consumers/public.

The reason is that different providers may be involved in the call in which case they all take their 'cut'.

I agree with NGNsGhost in that it should be no more than 2p/min for basic diversion to a landline or multiple landlines simply because you can have an 0808/0800 number for a business that only costs 2p/min for calls received to it.

I suppose it may be possible that an OCP (Original Communications Provider - like BT, NTL/Telewest) offering an 03x number in theory should be cheaper than an ordinary CP (Communication Provider) like Call08, goldnumbers (whom appear expensive) and the rest.

This is why there is likely to be no incentive to migrate from existing 08x numbers to the new 03x numbers as it WILL cost companies/gov departments, etc more money than it does now.
Back to top
« Last Edit: Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:18pm by bbb_uk »  
 
IP Logged
 
NGMsGhost
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b
r />

Posts: 2,720
Surrey, United Kingdom
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #6 - Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:26pm
 
bbb_uk wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:09pm:
This is why there is likely to be no incentive to migrate from existing 08x numbers to the new 03x numbers as it WILL cost companies/gov departments, etc more money than it does now.

Public and parliamentary pressure that will arise due to the cretinous failure of OfCoN to return 0845 to geographic rates on 1st Feb 2008 will mean most government departments, charities and Police forces who run 0845 numbers will have to get an equivalent 0370 number alternative.  I'm just about to send a major FOI request to Surrey County Council and Surrey Police (copying in all county councillors) with achieving that very end in mind.

As to 0870Advice ultimately his lot are just another of the scammers but at least he was an intelligent one prepared to demonstrate how it was all mainly the fault of Ofcom's and OFTEL's lousy regulatory regime that had allowed the whole sordid industry to develop in the first place.
Back to top
« Last Edit: Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:27pm by NGMsGhost »  

<div style=
 
IP Logged
 
Dave
Global Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 9,902
Yorkshire
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #7 - Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:31pm
 
bbb_uk wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:09pm:
This is why there is likely to be no incentive to migrate from existing 08x numbers to the new 03x numbers as it WILL cost companies/gov departments, etc more money than it does now.

But if 0870 is to be brought inline with geographical calls, it will, presumably, be charged the same as 0370. So what's the real incentive for a company to move from 0870 to 0370? If there's relatively few 03xx numbers about, consumers won't recoginise them as being geographically charged ones.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
NGMsGhost
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b
r />

Posts: 2,720
Surrey, United Kingdom
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #8 - Nov 22nd, 2006 at 5:13pm
 
Dave wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:31pm:
bbb_uk wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:09pm:
This is why there is likely to be no incentive to migrate from existing 08x numbers to the new 03x numbers as it WILL cost companies/gov departments, etc more money than it does now.

So what's the real incentive for a company to move from 0870 to 0370?


Not sure.  Perhaps Ofcom can explain why they are now to allow 08 to contain FreePhone, geographic national rate and premium rate services and how the public at large is meant to understand this.
Back to top
 

<div style=
 
IP Logged
 
farci
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 190
Glasgow
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #9 - Nov 22nd, 2006 at 5:42pm
 
NGMsGhost wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 5:13pm:
Dave wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:31pm:
bbb_uk wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 4:09pm:
This is why there is likely to be no incentive to migrate from existing 08x numbers to the new 03x numbers as it WILL cost companies/gov departments, etc more money than it does now.

So what's the real incentive for a company to move from 0870 to 0370?


Not sure.  Perhaps Ofcom can explain why they are now to allow 08 to contain FreePhone, geographic national rate and premium rate services and how the public at large is meant to understand this.


It's worth perusing this Ofcom document - particularly the research conclusions from page 10 onwards:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/numberingreview/statement/futuresight/fu....

As I read it, Ofcom asked consumers about their perceptions of 08x numbers. Apart from what Ofcom calls '080x' numbers which are perceived as free to the caller, few consumers understood that 084x and 087x are currently revenue sharing.

Ofcom then appears to compound their  error by referring to future 03x number ranges (p12) as 'equivalent to standard local & national call retail price'!

Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
bbb_uk
Global Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 2,041
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #10 - Nov 23rd, 2006 at 11:04am
 
NGMsGhost wrote on Nov 22nd, 2006 at 5:13pm:
Perhaps Ofcom can explain why they are now to allow 08 to contain FreePhone, geographic national rate and premium rate services and how the public at large is meant to understand this.
That is obviously very confusing for the public I agree.  Ofcon obviously have no intention to force migration from 084x/087x as it would cost companies too much money (again it's always the companies that come first and not consumers) so the best we can hope for is that Ofcon stop the widespread use of the terms local/national rate to describe 084x/087x just like the non-broadcast side of the ASA are trying to do and use other terms like "Business rate number" (ofcom's idea - not mine) instead.  Ofcon should then ensure us public know that these so-called "Business rate numbers" are in fact premium rate numbers albeit smaller than existing 09x numbers.  As I've said before, "full disclosure."

Realistically speaking there was no way Ofcon was/is going to force companies/gov depts, etc from 084x/087x to 09x.  I also believe that when 0845 is looked at again in the future - nothing will be done.

It appears that at least one CP is already thinking of challenging Ofcom's decision on 0870 numbers which obviously means Ofcom wont dare do anything to existing number ranges now.

I agree with NGNGhost that pressure may force gov depts to migrate to the 03x range despite it will cost them more to run but I think that it would be a lot of pressure needed for some gov depts at least.

Even as a consumer who hates these numbers, I do believe it's unfair for any gov dept/company, etc to actually pay x amount per minute for calls to them especially in this day and age.  This happened in the very old days but since then the cost of geographical calls have dropped a lot.  However, I do think that apart from basic diversion to one number, any other features like advanced call diversion, IVR's, etc should be paid for as a feature just like we pay for call diversion and the other features available on landlines.  If companies/gov departments want these 'network features' they should pay for them just like us consumers have to pay for any features we may want.

Call08.com are able to do freephone numbers that only cost companies 2p/min for every call they receive plus they get 500mins (I think) included for only £5 per month.  This is good value and so I hope that Call08.com could do something similar for the new 03x range except (and ideally) not charge companies x amount per minute for calls they receive - instead just charging them a monthly linerental where they pay for any network features required as a small monthly fee.

If the above was possible, then I would like to believe there would be very little resistance in migrating from 084x/087x to the new 03x range.  I guess we wont know now until next year whether this is at all possible.
Back to top
« Last Edit: Nov 23rd, 2006 at 11:16am by bbb_uk »  
 
IP Logged
 
kk
Senior Member
****
Offline



Posts: 354
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #11 - Nov 23rd, 2006 at 4:07pm
 
Telecom providers that gain revenue from 084x and 087x telephone numbers will put out disinformation about any new proposals that potentially reduces their income.
Back to top
 

KK
 
IP Logged
 
NGMsGhost
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b
r />

Posts: 2,720
Surrey, United Kingdom
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #12 - Nov 23rd, 2006 at 4:19pm
 
bbb_uk wrote on Nov 23rd, 2006 at 11:04am:
so the best we can hope for is that Ofcon stop the widespread use of the terms local/national rate to describe 084x/087x just like the non-broadcast side of the ASA are trying to do and use other terms like "Business rate number" (ofcom's idea - not mine) instead.  Ofcon should then ensure us public know that these so-called "Business rate numbers" are in fact premium rate numbers albeit smaller than existing 09x numbers.  As I've said before, "full disclosure."


I don't think the suggestion of the term Business Rate by OfCoN is the least but helpful and is basically designed as a Trojan Horse so that the use of 0871 numbers by business is given the Green Light by Ofcom and ICSTIS to become the norm for business.  It is a vile and deceitful suggestion that shows how deeply the incompetent, criticism allergic and overpaid cynics who work at senior levels in Ofcom are in bed with the profit making call centre industry.

I am contemplating some interesting FOI question to OfCoN on the total value of calls over several years on uk residential fixed line quarterly phone bills and the cost of calls on those fixed lines that arise due to 01/02, 084/7, 09 and 118 numbers as separate subtotals over several years.  I think those figures would make for some extremely interesting and illuminating reading.
Back to top
 

<div style=
 
IP Logged
 
bbb_uk
Global Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 2,041
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #13 - Nov 23rd, 2006 at 4:36pm
 
NGMsGhost wrote on Nov 23rd, 2006 at 4:19pm:
I don't think the suggestion of the term Business Rate by OfCoN is the least but helpful and is basically designed as a Trojan Horse so that the use of 0871 numbers by business is given the Green Light by Ofcom and ICSTIS to become the norm for business.
Can you think of a better description but remember that Ofcom don't like to admit they are premium rate so anything with "premium" in it will probably be a no no.

To a certain degree I don't mind what they're called so long as it doesn't make reference to local/national and that in some way or another, us end consumers are aware that they are premium rate albeit smaller than 09x and not regulated by ICSTIS.

I do believe that if all consumers were fully aware that when they ring their banks/GP, etc on these numbers that in most cases these end companies are getting money then it would be an outrage and these companies would probably have to use alternative numbers (ie 03x) instead.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Dave
Global Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 9,902
Yorkshire
Gender: male
Re: "Disadvantages of 0370"
Reply #14 - Nov 23rd, 2006 at 4:44pm
 
bbb_uk wrote on Nov 23rd, 2006 at 4:36pm:
Can you think of a better description but remember that Ofcom don't like to admit they are premium rate so anything with "premium" in it will probably be a no no.

Remember Matt Peacock's statement on BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme where he agreed that these numbers are "premium rate numbers but by another name".
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Pages: 1 2 
Send Topic Print
(Moderators: CJT-80, Dave, bbb_uk, Forum Admin, DaveM)

Website and Content © 1999-2024 SAYNOTO0870.COM. All Rights Reserved.
Written permission is required to duplicate any of the content within this site.

WARNING: This is an open forum, posts are NOT endorsed by SAYNOTO0870.COM,
please exercise due caution when acting on any info from here.


SAYNOTO0870.COM » Powered by YaBB 2.5.2!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2024. All Rights Reserved.


Valid RSS Valid XHTML Valid CSS Powered by Perl Source Forge