Background
In 2014, Ofcom ran a consultation with the public who were confused about how much it cost to call 08xx numbers (eg. 0844, 0845, 0870, 0871), particularly from mobile phones.
They came up with a proposal to split the fee into two parts:
The Access Charge - paid to the caller's phone company
The Service Charge - paid to the number owner's company (and sometimes used to offset costs of providing the service)
From July 2015, this has become law.
Only in mid-June did it become apparent that telecoms companies (both landline and mobile) are exploiting this in a very greedy manner, by charging more for the access charge than the total was before! Some service providers have also used this as an opportunity to increase their charges, too. See note #1200 for some examples of access charges
0870 numbers have been particularly hard-hit, as they were being charged at geographical rates (often free) but now will typically attract 50p/minute or more.
NB: As an owner of an 08 number, there are certain restrictions on what it can be used for and guidelines on how you must notify potential callers of the costs See note 3101 for more on this
CEO Rob Darwin talks about this on video note #1198
For a possibly less jaundiced view, see the official site on this project: http://www.ukcalling.info/
dmClub Options
We think that Ofcom have (possibly inadvertently) destroyed 08 non-geographic numbers. Most of our customers using these numbers for their clients to call them on will want to change to something more affordable. There are several options:
03 - Either 0333 xxx xxxx, 0345 xxx xxxx, 0370 xxx xxxx
These are non-geographical in nature, but geographical in terms of economics
01/02 - Geographic
More and more of our customers are going "old school" and reverting to numbers that relate to their area (or of an area they aspire to!). These are also the best bet if you wish to be called from overseas.
0800 - Freephone
One of the bits where Ofcom got it right was to insist on 0800 numbers being free to call - even from mobiles. They will cost you a bit more to receive calls on, but they send the message that you are prepared to go the extra mile to make life easy for your customer.
Replacement Number Offer
If you have been hit by this issue, we would like to make you an offer to migrate to any of the above options at beneficial rates until 01 August 2015.
Customers with numbers of the form 0845 686 xxxx will have first refusal on 0345 686 xxxx
- 50% off the gold fee
- No signup fee
- 3 months rent free
You can get this offer from within the control of your 08 number
Customers with numbers of the form 0870 446 xxxx will have first refusal on 0370 446 xxxx
- 50% off the gold fee
- No signup fee
- 3 months rent free
You can get this offer from within the control of your 08 number
Customers with 01,02,07,08 numbers
Conditions:
- we will only do the deal one per number
- if the 07, 08 numbers were rent free they must have been used at least 100 minutes during the time your service has been active
The deal
- 12 months rental for 6
- have a look to see if you like any of the gold numbers, and give us a call on 020-7060-2000, our team are keen to make you happy with a deal
To take advantage of this deal
- First browse our range of 03 and other numbers and find one you would like to order
- Continue through and order the number but please do not pay for it yet
- Email support@dmclub.net before you make for the order to claim your special deal. Please use this handy template:
Dear Support
Please can you (delete where not applicable)
- (either) give me the first 3 months on <INSERT number that you have been given as part of the 08 replacement offer July 2015>
- (or) give me 12 months for the price of 6 on < INSERT number that you have been given as part of the 08 replacement offer July 2015>
- (if there was a gold fee, and you would like the discount!) and give me a 50% discount on any gold fee
- this is part of the 08 replacement offer July 2015
- my original number was (your 08 number that was replaced)
I understand that it may take 1 working day, and that you will notify me when you have done it.
Thanks
<Your Name>
Within 4 working hours we will confirm to you via email that the special deal has been applied
- If you chose the first 3 months to be rent free, they will confirm that they have completed your order
- If you chose 12 months for the price of 6, they will confirm that your order has been upgraded and is ready for payment