COUNTY NEWS: Telephone charges to be made simpler next month

Millions of telephone users in the South East will benefit from clearer call charges being introduced next month by the telecoms regulator Ofcom.
Editorial imageEditorial image
Editorial image

From July 1, landline and mobile charges will become clearer for calls to numbers starting 084, 087, 09 and 118, while Freephone will become free from mobiles.

People use these ‘service numbers’ every day for finding out information, contacting a business or helpline, or using competition, directory-enquiry, entertainment and voting services.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Every year, callers in the South East spend a total of 34 million hours calling these service numbers, spending around £123m between them, according to Ofcom research.

Until now, callers to these numbers have not generally been told by the service provider how much they will be charged.

But prices will become clearer on telephone bills, in marketing and in advertising from 1 July, under changes known as UK Calling.

From July, charges for service numbers will be made up of an ‘access charge’ going to the phone company, plus a ‘service charge’ set by the company or organisation being called.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Phone companies will be responsible for setting their access charge, making it clear to consumers on their bills and informing new customers of the charge when they sign up to a contract.

Separately, the service provider – the party being contacted – will specify its service charge wherever it advertises or communicates the phone number.

So consumers will be able to understand the exact cost of making the call by adding the access and service charges together. They will also be able to compare the prices of different service providers more easily, and also choose a provider with a competitive access charge when signing up to a new landline or mobile deal.

Currently, callers are given information such as:

“Calls cost xp per minute from a BT landline. Calls may vary from other landlines and calls from mobiles may cost considerably more.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Under the new system, the cost of calls will be explained in a simpler format such as:

“Calls cost xp per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.”

Freephone will mean free

Also as part of UK Calling on July 1, Freephone numbers (beginning 0800 and 0808) will become free for consumers to call from mobile phones, just as they generally are from landlines.

Sharon White, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: “Next month we’ll see the biggest changes to telephone calls in over a decade. Callers in the South East spend £123 million a year on these calls, so it’s important that people understand the cost before they pick up the phone.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“From 1 July, callers will be able to see how much they’re paying and where their money is going. The website ukcalling.info has more information on the changes, and what they mean for you.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: