UK Calling: Clear call rates
Clear call rates are now a reality for service numbers, which are those on the 084, 087, 09 and 118 prefixes. As the final piece in Ofcom’s jigsaw to simplify non-geographic numbers, UK Calling sees a new charging regime for these ranges. Under the Unbundled Tariff, the cost of ringing these numbers is split into constituent parts.
All number users (Service Providers) have to declare the Service Charge associated with calling them. This brings out into the open the fact that calls incur a Service Charge, and those that can’t give justification to theirs will have to switch numbers.
At the same time, UK Calling means freephone numbers have become universally free-to-caller for the first time. Previously mobile telephone services charged for such calls.
What was the problem with 084, 087, 09 and 118 charges?
A typical pricing message went something like “Calls to our 0844 number from a BT line cost 5.105 pence per minute plus a Call Set-up fee of 15.97 pence. Calls from other networks and mobiles may be higher.”
There were several issues with this:
What does UK Calling mean for call charges?
Call charges to 084, 087, 09 and 118 service numbers are now split into their composite parts: the Access Charge and the Service Charge.
All Service Providers must state the Service Charge associated with calling their number. For example: “Calls to our 0844 number will cost 7 pence per minute plus your phone company’s Access Charge.”
The Service Charge is the same for any particular number, irrespective of which landline or mobile service is used to make the call.
Every landline provider and mobile provider must give an Access Charge applicable for ringing service numbers. This must appear alongside other charges such as those for geographic and 03 numbers.
So, for example, if a telephone company has an Access Charge of 5 pence per minute, then the cost of calling the 0844 number given in the example above is 12 pence per minute.
What are the levels of Service Charges?
For 0843, 0844 and 0845 number types they are up to 7 pence per minute; for 0870, 0871, 0872 and 0873 ranges Service Charges are up to 13 pence per minute. Rates quoted here are inclusive of VAT.
Service Charges are set usually per block of 10,000 numbers. For example, for 0844 477 which many NHS GPs still use, there is a 7 pence per minute Service Charge, as advised to Ofcom.
Are you a Service Provider and can you justify your Service Charge?
If you are a Service Provider think about whether you can justify your Service Charge. It may be that you’re forbidden from levying such a fee now anyway, such as under the Consumer Contracts Regulations.
If you can’t stand by the Service Charge then you will have to change your number. Numbers which begin 03 are non-geographic, don’t carry a Service Charge and offer the same operational benefits, such as call routing and call statistics.
The cost of ringing a 03 number is no more than calling a geographic (01/02) number. They’re included in bundles and packages on the same basis as calls to geographic numbers, and this applies to landlines and mobiles equally.
All number users (Service Providers) have to declare the Service Charge associated with calling them. This brings out into the open the fact that calls incur a Service Charge, and those that can’t give justification to theirs will have to switch numbers.
At the same time, UK Calling means freephone numbers have become universally free-to-caller for the first time. Previously mobile telephone services charged for such calls.
What was the problem with 084, 087, 09 and 118 charges?
A typical pricing message went something like “Calls to our 0844 number from a BT line cost 5.105 pence per minute plus a Call Set-up fee of 15.97 pence. Calls from other networks and mobiles may be higher.”
There were several issues with this:
- It gave a call charge which only applied to one particular provider;
- It neglected to mention the presence of the Service Charge, and;
- The price was atypical as it was comprised of only a Service Charge. This is because BT wasn’t allowed to add its own Access Charge, this being an outdated regulation which was removed as part of UK Calling.
What does UK Calling mean for call charges?
Call charges to 084, 087, 09 and 118 service numbers are now split into their composite parts: the Access Charge and the Service Charge.
All Service Providers must state the Service Charge associated with calling their number. For example: “Calls to our 0844 number will cost 7 pence per minute plus your phone company’s Access Charge.”
The Service Charge is the same for any particular number, irrespective of which landline or mobile service is used to make the call.
Every landline provider and mobile provider must give an Access Charge applicable for ringing service numbers. This must appear alongside other charges such as those for geographic and 03 numbers.
So, for example, if a telephone company has an Access Charge of 5 pence per minute, then the cost of calling the 0844 number given in the example above is 12 pence per minute.
What are the levels of Service Charges?
For 0843, 0844 and 0845 number types they are up to 7 pence per minute; for 0870, 0871, 0872 and 0873 ranges Service Charges are up to 13 pence per minute. Rates quoted here are inclusive of VAT.
Service Charges are set usually per block of 10,000 numbers. For example, for 0844 477 which many NHS GPs still use, there is a 7 pence per minute Service Charge, as advised to Ofcom.
Are you a Service Provider and can you justify your Service Charge?
If you are a Service Provider think about whether you can justify your Service Charge. It may be that you’re forbidden from levying such a fee now anyway, such as under the Consumer Contracts Regulations.
If you can’t stand by the Service Charge then you will have to change your number. Numbers which begin 03 are non-geographic, don’t carry a Service Charge and offer the same operational benefits, such as call routing and call statistics.
The cost of ringing a 03 number is no more than calling a geographic (01/02) number. They’re included in bundles and packages on the same basis as calls to geographic numbers, and this applies to landlines and mobiles equally.
Amended: 2015-07-01
