070

New rules to combat high call costs from 070 numbers

Posted on by Andrea Putnam-Moorcroft

Ofcom have stated that phone users will be protected from high charges for calling ‘070’ numbers – which are often mistaken for mobiles, but cost much more to call.

Ofcom will be placing a cap on 070 numbers which will be aligned with the existing cap set by Ofcom for calls to mobile numbers – currently around 0.5 pence per minute.

Before the new price cap is introduced, providers who offer 070 number services may need to change the way they run their businesses, to comply with the new rules. This may include changing their billing systems and contacting their customers, or even moving to a different number range. So there will be a 12-month implementation period to make these changes before the new price cap comes into effect.

Full details from the Ofcom press release is available for information

Review of the 070 number range

Posted on by Andrea Putnam-Moorcroft

Ofcom has today published a draft statement on the regulation of telephone numbers beginning with 070, following a review of this market.

070 numbers are designed to be used as a ‘follow me’ service, where calls are diverted from one number to another, so the person being called can keep their own number private.

Ofcom has found that 070 numbers are often mistaken for mobile numbers, which can lead to bill shock, as the prices for calling these numbers are usually much higher than they are for calling a mobile number.

Ofcom have provisionally decided to set a cap on the wholesale termination charge for calls to 070 numbers, which would be aligned with the existing regulated cap set by Ofcom for mobile numbers – currently around 0.5 pence per minute.

16/8/18