From 1 July 2015, 0800, 0808 and 116
numbers will be free to call from your mobile, as well as from landlines.
The way you get billed for service numbers beginning 084, 087, 09 and 118 will change too. They will be split into an Access Charge from your provider for connecting the call, and a Service Charge from the number you are calling. The Access Charge for calling a service number will depend on which provider you are using. As an example, from an EE phone it will be 44p per minute. To work out the total cost of your call, simply add the service charge to the 44p.
The way you get billed for service numbers beginning 084, 087, 09 and 118 will change too. They will be split into an Access Charge from your provider for connecting the call, and a Service Charge from the number you are calling. The Access Charge for calling a service number will depend on which provider you are using. As an example, from an EE phone it will be 44p per minute. To work out the total cost of your call, simply add the service charge to the 44p.
1. An
access charge. This goes to the caller’s telephone company.
2. A
service charge. This is the remainder; it includes any revenue going to the
service provider (that is you, the party being called), as well as revenue
going to the ‘terminating call provider’ (the company which provides the number
to you).
The numbers where access and service
charges will apply are those beginning 0843, 0844, 0845, 0870, 0871, 0872, 0873,
09, and 118.
The regulator OFCOM are behind the changes.
Consumers have been finding the
current system confusing, not least because each telephone company selects its
own level and structure of prices – per call, per minute, and varying depending
whether they are included in call bundles. This has resulted in the market not
working well for either the consumer or the organisations being called.
See how we can save you money on your
business phone costs by clicking the links below;
Or simply call 0800 849 3333