New measures are likely to slash the price of many calls to 0870 numbers in the UK. Mobile and fixed-line providers will have to charge the same or less for 0870 calls as they do for national-rate calls to geographic numbers (starting 01 or 02).
The announcement from Ofcom today added that, if providers wish to charge more for 0870 calls, they will have to make a free price pre-announcement at the start of the call. Currently, organisations that use 0870 numbers currently have the opportunity to share the revenue generated by per minute call charges. But this revenue stream will dry up.
Ofcom also announced today that the remit of ICSTIS, the premium-rate regulator, will be extended to all adult services regardless of price. ICSTIS will also regulate all calls made to 0871 numbers and any adult services currently provided on 08 numbers will have to move to the designated 09 adult number ranges.
The proposals follow a public consultation in September 2005. Many of the 1,300 responses highlighted the need for changes to 0870 and increased consumer protection.
Ofcom is also proposing a new 03 number range as an alternative for country-wide, non-geographic numbers, charged at the same rate as calling a geographic number.
