NGMsGhost wrote on Nov 3^rd, 2008 at 3:36pm:

This is a good question for us to ponder.

The Ofcom regulations for 03 were framed very simply in a form that we understand and celebrate. They do not specifically take account of issues like F&F discounts, nor the handfull of 01 numbers that are charged differently.

If 03 (or perhaps 030) becomes recognised as THE range for public service numbers at some point in the future there is a possibility that charges for calls to these will be held down as charges for calls to geographic numbers rise for those who do not sign up for inclusive packages. There is perhaps some element of this sort of consideration (amongst others) in the fact that BT has held down 0845 charges.

If charges for 03 were to fall below those for 01 and 02 (for some callers), would we be condemning those who used "ripoff" geographic numbers, as 03 could never be more expensive?

We are invited to look to the future, where I see inclusive packages increasingly taking over from call charges. Also noting current trends we see continuing growth of mobile useage. This is reflected in BT's recent price cut for subscribers to its "inclusive" discount package, challenges to the high termination rates and yet more radical proposals from the EU. We could see a time when the cost of calling a mobile was the same as (or less than) that of calling a geographic "landline" number.

I have always believed that the present regulations for 03 only work in the market as it is today. Who knows what changes may be needed in 12, 24 or 60 months time?

It is therefore perhaps more important that we encourage as many as possible to migrate to 03 swiftly, so that it will be worth preserving when its position comes under threat. It is also vital to do this so as to demonstrate the odd nature of revenue sharing numbers that are not classified as used for "premium rate services". Apart from the dial-up ISPs, who have always been a special case, the grubby band who profit from revenue sharing without being in any way accountable need to be exposed.

I recognise that not all will share my views. There are some who believe that the mobile telecomms bubble will burst with disasterous results. It may have lasted longer than other bubbles, but that is no guarantee that it will last for ever.

Source: Kidderminster Shuttle

http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/3814750.Police_launch_new_non_emergen...

Police launch new non-emergency number

6:10pm Monday 3rd November 2008

<<
WEST Mercia Constabulary is launching a new non-emergency telephone number - 0300 333 3000.

The new number, introduced in line with Ofcom recommendations, has been chosen as it is easy to remember and dial and will reduce the cost of calling the police force in a non-emergency situation.

[…]

Chief Supt John Jones, head of contact management and service quality, said: “Residents should still dial 999 in an emergency but for all other enquiries should now use 0300 333 3000.

“The move to a 03 prefixed number follows public feedback about the cost of using a 08 prefixed number and is in line with recommendations from the Office of Communications (Ofcom) which established 03 numbers to help eliminate public confusion over call costs.”

[…]
>>

More lies on call charges.............


Source: Hemel Today

http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/1000-calls-a-day-to.4650836.jp

1,000 calls a day to police helpline
Published Date: 31 October 2008

<<
More than 1,000 calls a day are made to a police non-emergency line, Herts Constabulary said.
The force launched its non-emergency number in October 2004 to replace 20 separate police telephone numbers for non-999 matters.

And according to the Constabulary, four years on the line, 0845 3300222, is receiving an average of 32,000 calls a month.

Jason Baxter, deputy contact centre manager at Herts Police, said: "Remember you can use 0845 3300222 for all general inquiries, and advice and information, as well as to report a crime."

He added: "In an emergency, such as to report a crime that is in progress, or an ongoing incident where there is a risk of serious injury or damage, always use 999."

Calls to the Herts Police non-emergency number 0845 3300222 are charged at local rates, but the cost of calls from mobile phones may vary.
For more information see www.herts.police.uk
>>

0345 6060606 is now in service and answered by West Yorkshire Police!

They were one of the first forces to switch to 0845 in the late 90s. We await confirmation of when the official launch will be.

Source: Derbyshire Constabulary

http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/news/1273.html

Derbyshire Constabulary changes its non-emergency number following an Ofcom recommendation

Derbyshire police have launched a new telephone number following a recommendation from the Office of Communications.

The force has changed just one digit of its existing number to make the new number easier for people to remember.

The number, 0345 123 3333, will be the new non-emergency number from Monday, December 1. People can ring it to speak about any policing matter which is not a 999 emergency.

It has been introduced following guidance given to all public sector organisations by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to help eliminate public confusion over call costs.

It replaces the former number of 0845 123 3333.

Under the new system callers will pay no more than they do for calling geographical numbers which begin 01 and 02. This is not true of 0845 prefixed numbers where costs can vary. The 0345 number can also be included as part of call packages.

Deputy Chief Constable Alan Goodwin said: "The old number could not be used as part of a free-call package and it was expensive to ring from mobile telephones.

"The old number will gradually be phased out, but it will be operational for around two years while people get used to calling our new number."

On average, call operators at Derbyshire Constabulary answer 842,000 non-emergency calls each year. The average time taken to pick up the call is less than 14 seconds. More than 152,000 999 calls are answered within three seconds, making Derbyshire Constabulary the sixth best performing in the country.

Source: Nottinghamshire Police Authority

http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/npa/files/meetings/51/B1%20-%20Minutes%20of...

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2008 AT 10.00 AM


ii)      Single Non-Emergency Number (SNEN)            

Chief Inspector Burton informed members of the advantages of a SNEN which included: ease of use, (as against the current 12 numbers advertised across Nottinghamshire); elimination of dormant STD lines (thus saving money); more equality of cost to the user (currently, some callers were charged at national rates); and less abuse of the emergency number (some calls were made when a non-emergency number was not known).  

The change to a SNEN would help with accessibility, would increase ease of contact and provide a unique, memorable number, which should increase public satisfaction in line with the Policing for You agenda.

Although an 0845 number could be used, as was the case in several parts of the country, this would mean charging the caller at expensive, national rates.  The preferred option was an 0300 number.  This would be issued by OFCOM and was non-profitable, not for business use and equal in cost across the UK.  Part of the cost, estimated at £25k - £30k, would be met by the force and this anticipated up to a 5% increase in demand. It was expected to increase public confidence.

Members supported the view that appropriate publicity, emphasising the benefits, would be needed before the number was launched.  This could include use of the precept leaflet which was already distributed to every household in Nottinghamshire so would incur no extra costs. Adequate infrastructure including customer service desk and switchboard capabilities should also be in place.

Dave wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 4:42pm:


Further to the minutes of the meeting of the Finance & Resources Committee of West Midlands Police Authority, I have discovered the report submitted to that meeting by the Chief Constable:

http://www.west-midlands-pa.gov.uk/documents/committees/public/2008/09_Financean...

Finance and Resources Committee
8 May 2008

NON-EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER
Report of the Chief Constable

4. IMPLICATIONS FOR CHANGING THE 0845.

4.3 Moving to the use of the 0800 number (free call) has an estimated cost of £412k p.a. to West Midlands Police. This is based on a landline charge of 4.73 ppm to West Midlands Police. Users of Mobile phones would still have to pay an additional cost of 12 ppm in addition to the charge to West Midlands Police.

4.4 The use of the 0300 / 0345 number is being made available to all 0845 users and would mean that a call made under this local number would be charged to West Midlands Police albeit at a discounted rate. 0300 / 0345 numbers would be included in "bundle packages and therefore would be free to those users. There would be an estimated charge to West Midlands Police for this service of £90-100« pa. Again, phone calls from mobile phones would incur the caller with an additional cost from the service provider.

4.5 Re-instating a 0121 number would mean no additional costs to WMP other than marketing and awareness (a recent campaign to re-launch the 0845 cost £10,000). There would be no costs to people in the West Midlands area that have a bundle of free local calls. Use of the current 0845 number could still be used as the prime contact number as it has better inbuilt network resilience and stats etc and can prevent local regional issues. In the past it was thought that people in Coventry, Wolverhampton etc may feel disenfranchised if they had to dial a Birmingham number (0121) to talk to their "local" police. This would also overcome connection issues when ringing from abroad, as not all countries recognise 0845 or even the 101 or 0300/45 codes. However to phone 0121 from a distance would Incur additional costs for the caller in the UK, unlike 0845.