Changes to the operation of the 0870 range are about to be finalised and will come into force on 1st August 2009.

Since the publication of Ofcom's statement ‘NTS: A Way Forward' in April 2006, the 0870 range has suffered from ongoing uncertainty. Ofcom has now published its final statement on changes to the 0870 range.

The big change for customers is that:

Calls made to 0870 numbers must be charged at the same rate as calls to geographic numbers!

The draft determination on 0870 termination rates which was published simultaneously by Ofcom effectively sets the rate for payments made by BT to other communication providers for terminating calls to 0870 numbers. This dramatically reduces out payment rates, to typically 0.5p per minute for peak calls.

The consequence is that customers will now need to pay the communication providers providing the number and termination service for calls received on their 0870 numbers or migrate to a different range.

Although Ofcom's decision has been published as a draft, these new arrangements are very likely to come into force unchanged on 1st August. Ofcom has stated that most 0870 users have already migrated to other ranges but there is strong evidence to suggest otherwise.

It is feared that the very short time frame left in which to implement the new arrangements will, lead to confusion, disruption and, in some cases, loss of service.

If you are worried this will affect you, do not panic there are options available:

Retain 0870 number

• Increased customer confidence through price transparency
• Retention of existing numbers
• Retention of call handling features
• No re-marketing costs

Migrate to 0871 number

• Retention of revenue share
• Retention of call handling features
• Price transparency

Migrate to 0844/0845 number

• Retention of revenue share
• Retention of call handling features
• Perception of a local presence

Transfer to 09XX number

• Retention of revenue changes
• Retention of call handling features

Migrate to 03XX number

• Price transparency
• Availability of call handling features
• Availability of equivalent ranges to NTS Services
• Proposed reservation of 0300 for public bodies

Migrate to Geographic Number

• Price transparency
• Local presence

For more information speak to our team on 0800 092 1471 or Contact us