Ofcom has revealed its plans of freeing up calls to 0800, 0808 and 116 numbers from mobile phones starting June 2015 in a bid to clear the confusion surrounding the pricing structure for 08, 09 and 118 numbers.
Operators will have to show up a broken down cost structure per call (access charge + service charge) to callers who place calls on 08, 09 and 118 numbers. Operators will be responsible for setting up access charges while the companies availing the 08, 09 or 118 service will be required to set up a service charge for the call. This will allow customers to compare the costs per each operator based on the access charge, Ofcom hopes.
Under the new plans, calls made to 03 numbers will be covered under the inclusive minutes offered by carriers to their customers as a part of their tariffs. Further Ofcom will also cap the charges on 09 premium numbers. Further the telecom regular has also revealed that it will be simplifying the cost structure of calls made to 0845 numbers.
Operators charge anywhere between 14p and 40p per minute on calls made to freephone numbers; however, they will have until June 2015 to free up these calls on mobile.
“Freephone will mean free for all consumers, and the cost of calling other services will be made clear. Telephone users will be able to see how much they’re paying, and where their money is going,” said Ofcom Chief Ed Richards.
