0870 Phone Numbers to be charged at Geographic Telephone number rate

Ofcom, UK's Telecom Regulator has announced new rules to provide clarity about the price of calls to 0870 numbers.

According to Ofcom, All telecom opetators are encourage to follow new rules,

1) To stop charging higher prices for calls to 0870 numbers from fixed lines and mobiles than calls to “geographic rate” numbers (01, 02 or 03 numbers); and
2) To include 0870 calls in call packages on the same basis as geographic calls.

These new changes means 0870 numbers will no more be treated as premium numbers as they are charged at the national geographic number rate. However, all telecom operators are asked to follow the new rules, its still not a forced law.

However, recently BT has included 0870 numbers into it's calling package and stop charging extra rate for calling these numbers. Ofcom believes more telecom operators would follow the new rules.

Currently 0870 calls are mainly used by VOIP/Telecom operators as access numbers for their cheap international calls service to share the revenue generated by per-minute call charges. It would be interesting to see how this market is affected by this change.

It would be great if Ofcom can force this law onto the telecom operators rather than asking them to comply at their will.

Ofcom also asked all telecom operators/businesses to clearly mention on their website/advertisement/media about 0870 number charges.
The consumers have every right to know how much they are charged when they call the 0870 number. If you notice anyone violating this law, you may contact ofcom and lodge a formal complaint against the business.

If you live in UK, you would be greatly benefited from this move by Ofcom. Let us know your comments.