Call charges confusion - Ofcom proposal

Proposals to tackle consumer concern and confusion over the cost of calling businesses and other organisations on numbers such as 03, 08, 09 and 118 were today published by Ofcom. 

Ofcom is proposing to standardise and simplify how a wide range of non-geographic numbers are priced which will help to promote transparency and competition in delivering services through these numbers. Under the proposals calls to 0800 numbers will be free from mobiles; it currently costs up to 40p a minute to call an 0800 number from a mobile.  

The proposals are based on new powers which will be introduced as a result of revised European telecoms legislation. 

Ed Richards, Chief Executive of Ofcom, said: “There is clear evidence of widespread uncertainty and confusion about the cost of calling these numbers. Consumers need to have far more transparency about the price they are going to pay for calls so that they can make more informed choices and so competition can work more effectively.” “Making 0800 free from a mobile and giving people clarity about what they are paying for 118 directory enquiry services will improve transparency, improve competition and enhance trust in these important services.”

Rekha Wadhwani, Chief Executive of The Helplines Association, said: “We welcome Ofcom's plans to tackle these issues and agree there is significant confusion around call costs. We have been campaigning on the cost of calling freephone numbers, especially charity helplines, from mobile phones since 1999. It is also important that answering calls from mobiles remains affordable for charities.” 

For  the full proposal details please go to www.ofcom.org.uk.