Jan 05
Rise of the 0844
Over the past few years, companies and government agencies (but of course) have seen fit to rip us off through 0845 and 0870 numbers.
Inaccurately called “local” and “national” rate respectively, since their introduction the charge for calling these numbers has drifted so far from the actual cost of local and national calls that they are effectively premium rate numbers whose primary purpose is to generate a revenue for the called party.
Ofcom, our industry-friendly communications regulator, almost took action and as of 1 February 2008 a change was due: they were no longer able to generate revenue for the called party. It’s now looking unlikely that the change will take place but, nonetheless, the law of unintended consequences has kicked in and the situation is now worse for us poor fools who have to call customer services departments, GP out of hours services and local councils.
Many of the “national” rate numbers (around 8p per minute) are now turning up as 0871 (10 p per minute) and the 0845 numbers as 0844. The 0844s are interesting: they can be just about any bloody price imaginable and you’ll have a hard time finding out exactly what you’re paying until your phone bill turns up. And, of course, the 0845 and 0870 numbers will more than likely continue to be a rip-off.
There is a way around this, in some cases: SayNoTo0870.com is a superb resource but, and through no fault of the community behind it, incomplete. However, if you have to deal with an organisation that wants to charge you extra for the privilege of calling them - perhaps to complain about a faulty TV they supplied - tell them you’re not happy.
Judging by the DVLA’s response to a freedom of information request (PDF) and the general contempt in which many public services hold tax payers, I hold no hope that any tax-funded service will offer you an alternative. However, that good old magic of capitalism - competition - may just give us some sway with privately held organisations.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Actually no, 0844 (and 0843) are set by Ofcom at a max rate of 5p/min incl. VAT for BT customers. They cannot exceed this charge rate. Also, 0845 as charged by BT during the day is actually cheaper than the standard daytime rate (2p/min vs 3.25p/min + 6p call setup). Their rates are 2p/min and 0.5p/min for 0845 daytime and evenining respectively, and 6p/min and 1.5p/min for 0870. Hardly a rip-off.
Also forthcoming from BT is the 03xx range, allowing similar NTS (number translation services) at standard geographic number rates, must be usable with inclusive minutes and do not provide revenue share.
Cheer up, it’s not all bad, just helps if you read some websites
January 6th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Cheers Neuro
I read plenty of websites 
The rip-off aspect of the non-geographic numbers is primarily, and I should have noted this, that they are charged in addition to any inclusive calling package you might have on either your landline or mobile.
Non-BT providers tend to charge higher than the BT rate for non-geo numbers. Virgin Media are particularly pricey in this regard.
As for 0844, I stand by my statement that the only way to find out what you’re charged is to look at your phone bill. 0844 numbers are variable. There may be a maximum charge but it can vary from 0.5p per minute upwards, which is what makes them so useful for international calling services. Companies using these numbers are not, as far as I’ve seen, advertising the charge that will be made.
If we’re being picky, I’d point out that the 03xx number range is a cross-industry initiative, rather than something from BT
January 8th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Sorry, fscked up with the 03xx thing, I knew it was Ofcom directing it, not BT, but I typed BT anyway