What are my options?
0870
Current status: Callers pay a retail rate equivalent to BT standard national rate (e.g.: approx 7.95ppm daytime). There is no call cost to you. There is the opportunity for you to make revenue depending on the retail rate, subject to volume.
After Ofcom' implementation: The retail rate will change and callers will be charged no more for 0870 than they currently pay for national geographic numbers. This reduction in retail call rates will effectively end revenue share for you.
What it means to you: Businesses that generate income through 0870 numbers will lose this revenue stream and may be charged an additional premium for calls received if they don't migrate. You will need to devise new call pricing strategies to subsidise your business, call centre and service charges.
Recommendations: Call revenue is critical for many businesses as it is the way that they support 'free' services - such as telephone banking and help lines, to their customers. For these businesses, it makes sense to look at other NTS numbers that can offer revenue share rather than absorb losses.
Comtact recommends that businesses move to either 0871 or 0844 numbers, depending on the level of return required.