0870 is Changing - Are You Ready ?

There are only 191 days to go before the Ofcom change to 0870 numbers takes effect. The countdown has begun…
What are the changes?

The main changes are:

* Revenue share will end on all 0870 numbers
* 0870 numbers will no longer be provided free of charge

These changes will be in place on 1st February 2008 and will affect all customers using 0870 numbers on basic and advanced Callagenix services.

Ofcom Changes

What will I need to do?

You will need to decide on whether to:

* keep your 0870 number and pay a small charge
* change to an 0871 number
* change to an 0844 number

The impact of these changes is dependant on the way you use your numbers.

How should I make this decision?

Consider the implications to your company
Financially – Is current revenue share used to fund other areas of your business? What would be the impact of losing revenue and gaining charges? Consider the cost of re-branding versus the cost of staying on 0870.

Customer Service – How would changing numbers affect your clients? Does revenue share offset running costs?

If you receive calls from outside of the UK you will need consider promoting an 0871/0844 to your UK users whilst continuing to receive calls from outside of the UK on 0870.

Callagenix clients using advanced services can have a free message on their redundant 0870 asking the caller to redial the new number.

What next?

* Stay on 0870 - we will update you on pricing very soon

* Change to 0871 - Make the change now and increase your revenue

* Change to 0844 - Reserve your number now in readiness for the change

At Callagenix we understand that every business has a different need and potential solution. For more details on the changes and the possible implications please visit the Callagenix 0870 OFCOM pages, or call us on 0870 626 0 626 or email us at sales@callagenix.com

OFCOM’s Strategic Review

As a result of the OFCOM review, the following has been decided:

* End of 0870 revenue share (Jan 2008)
* New UK wide 03 number range (no revenue share)
* 0871 numbers will be regulated by ICSTIS (Jan 2008)
* 0844 No change to this number range
* 0845 OFCOM to review within 2 years

To see full details of the review, see…
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2006/07/nr_20060727

OFCOM’s approach is broadly in line with the proposals it published for public consultation in September 2005. Many of the 1,300 responses to this consultation highlighted the case for changes to 0870 and increased consumer protection.

At Callagenix we agree with OFCOM that there should be greater transparency for consumers calling NTS (08XX numbers). However, in our opinion the changes made by OFCOM will at best result in greater confusion for the caller, whilst significantly impacting hundreds of thousands of small companies. If you have any points you wish to raise with OFCOM concerning how these changes will impact your business, OFCOM can be contacted at nts@ofcom.co.uk or call 020 7981 3000.