Telecoms watchdog intends to reduce cost of 0870 numbers while also raising public awareness of the cost of calling them.
Making calls to 0870 numbers should become cheaper in the future, after telecommunications regulator Ofcom announced it would be bringing in new rules from August 1st.
Additionally, the regulations will see consumers become better informed about the cost of calling the numbers, used by various organisations for customer help lines and other services. Currently, 0870 numbers often cost more than calling 'geographic rate' numbers, such as 01 or 02.
The Ofcom rules will encourage firms to charge less for 0870 numbers, as well as including them in packages in a similar fashion to geographic calls. Organisations which still want to charge higher rates for the numbers will have to adhere to a strict framework on how prices are publicised on any promotional material.
Fines will be imposed if 0870 numbers are advertised as 'national rate' when they cost more than geographic numbers. Ofcom also hopes to end the practice of revenue sharing, where companies receive a cut of the cost of calling the numbers.
Some telecoms providers, including BT, have already made calls to 0870 numbers free. Ofcom believes that the rule changes will see others follow suit. Mobile phone users are likely to be the largest beneficiaries from the rule changes, as 0870 numbers are typically more expensive from a mobile handset.
