Press Release
IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE
SURROUNDING USAGE OF NON-GEOGRAPHIC NUMBERS (NGN)
(CORNWALL, UK) February 28th, 2005 - In
response to the recent media coverage surrounding usage of non–geographic
numbers, particularly by the big banks, OpenTelecom wishes to allay some of the
confusion surrounding the costs attached to 0870 and 0845 numbers.
We would like to clarify a couple of the points made in the articles that have
appeared over the past two weeks.
1. 0870 numbers
For an end user, the cost of dialling an 0870 number from a landline is
equivalent to calling a national geographic number.
2. 0845 numbers
For an end user, the cost of dialling an 0845 number from a landline is
equivalent to calling a local geographic number.
The above statements hold true with regards to the base undiscounted rates. The
only possible exception to these charges would be where end users are eligible
for discounts such as friends & family, BT Business Options etc (in the case of
BT). Generally, geographic numbers may qualify for discounts while
non-geographic numbers do not. Some of the recent media articles have caused
confusion among consumers as the reporters have been comparing a discounted rate
(geographic) to a non-discounted rate (non-geographic).
With regards to the actual prices (based on BT standard retail rates, excl. VAT):
0870 and national rates are exactly the same at -
Daytime => 6.63ppm
Evening => 3.36ppm
Weekend => 1.27ppm
0845 and local rates are exactly the same at -
Daytime => 3.36ppm
Evening => 0.85ppm
Weekend => 0.85ppm
Furthermore, 0845 and 0870 are not premium rate services. All premium rate
services are monitored and administered via
ICSTIS (the Independent Committee
for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services) and are
required to follow a strict code of conduct due to the nature of content carried
via premium rate numbers. 0870 and 0845 numbers are not governed by
ICSTIS.
Through the use of non-geographic numbers, organisations can improve the quality
of care they provide to their customers. For example, by routing calls directly
to specific people who can attend to their needs 'call wait' time decreases. If
you are interested in learning more about how OpenTelecom's customers have
increased their levels of customer service through the use of 0870 and 0845
numbers please click here
Newspaper Coverage:
North Cornwall Advertiser (Download
PDF
 )
Cornish Guardian (Download
PDF
)
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