OFCOM has today announced that calls to 0800 numbers could become free from mobile phones as part of its proposals to simplify call charges to help consumers.
Announcing the plans, OFCOM said: “This major step is part of detailed plans to tackle consumer confusion about how much it costs to call businesses, public services and other organisations on 03, 08, 09 and 118 numbers. Currently, the vast majority of 0800 phone numbers incur a charge for mobile callers of up to 21p a minute. Under today’s proposals, calls to 0800 numbers from a mobile would be free for consumers, in line with landlines”.
Both consumers and providers of 0800 numbers have long been campaigning for 0800 numbers to be free from mobiles. 0800 numbers are meant to be freephone numbers, but with more and more people using mobile phones to make calls on, it has made that description increasingly harder to use without listing the exceptions.
The proposals aim to clarify and simplify exactly what the different 08, 09 and 118 numbers are and how much you are charged to use them, as well as restore trust and confidence in freephone numbers. Freephone numbers actually being free for the person making the call, whether it’s from a landline or mobile phone would go a long way towards clearing up confusion, restoring faith, and encouraging more people to phone businesses thus increasing trade for them.
To read the full OFCOM press release, click here.
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