Red Rock ICT :: In Office Solutions - Regulatory Changes to NGN's

Regulatory Changes to NGN Numbers

The inbound market has undergone changes set down by Ofcom. The changes impacted 0870 and 0871 non-geographic numbers and came in to force on 1st August 2009.

What you need to know about 0870 numbers:

Revenue payments previously generated for your business will have ‘ceased’ from 1st August 2009
Your business will now be charged to receive calls to your 0870 numbers.
Communication providers must provide clear information regarding new tariffs charges.

What you need to know about 0871 numbers:

On 5 February 2009, Ofcom announced that PhonepayPlus will take over day-to-day regulation of 0871 numbers on 1 August 2009
The regulation will be no different from other 09 and 070 premium rate number services (PRS) and will fall under PhonepayPlus code of practice

Pricing

All published 087 numbers must legally be accompanied by it’s pricing information. In the short term PhonepayPlus will allow a spoken tariff message but websites, business cards and all other business collateral should be changed within practical timescales.

Undue Delay

All callers who are placed in a queuing system if dialling an 087 number must be made aware of any call queuing delays or time to answer their call and the associated costs.

Callers should be able to make an informed decision on whether they wish to continue to wait for their call to be answered.

Further details of the 0871 regulations that PhonepayPlus manage can be found in their statement of Application published in November 2007 and for 087 in the all you need to know guide.

What you need to know about 0845 numbers

A review is expected to take place on 0845 numbers once the 0870 changes have been implemented. It is likely that the changes to 0845 will be the same as 0870 reforms.
Currently, dialling an 0845 number is still cheaper than dialling a National number.

What you need to know about the new 03 numbers

03 numbers are classified as a National rate number but can be included within inclusive call minute bundles.

03 Numbers will be mainly for government and not-for-profit organisations

0300 number exclusivity has been granted to government and not-for-profit organisations. Further details for eligibility can be found here.

There is a charge to receive calls from an 03 number which are similar to operating an 0800 number.

If you have an existing 0844/45/70 or 71 number you can get the corresponding 03 number from your supplier.

The 03 number range offers companies a National presence as with a non-geographic number.

How Red Rock can help..

Being an independent and working with many different telecommunication suppliers we are suitably placed to offer you advice on all of these areas of change. We would be delighted to discuss your requirements and help you to define a strategy that works for your business.