topic Re: Question about 0844 connection charge in Archive

Question about 0844 connection charge

alstemp — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:15:00 GMT

Hi there

In the 0844 copy on BT's business webiste, it states that as well as a cost per minute, the caller is liable to pay a connection call for each 0844 call they make?

Is this correct and how much is it? there is no figure mentioned on the 0844 info page.

Thanks

Re: Question about 0844 connection charge

chrisbtlbnewcas — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:36:08 GMT

Hi alstemp,

Yes, this is correct. I'm assuming this is an 0844 number that you are setting up in which case, you know what the costs are to you.

However, anybody that calls your number will be charged at a rate specific to their carrier and most carriers will typically charge a call setup fee for calls made to this type of non-geographic number. This area doesn't really concern you unless you are worried about customer perception (i.e. are customers unlikely to call you if they knew it cost more to call an 0844 number than perhaps a normal 01 or 02 number which are usually free or included in bundled call packages). If this is the case, you might want to investigate an 03 number. Calls to these numbers are normally charged at standard geographic call rates and are usually included in bundled call allowances.

Re: Question about 0844 connection charge

alstemp — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:45:19 GMT

Thanks for your reply - but I still don't understand.

As far as advertising/promotion goes with 0844 numbers do we just have to say that it costs Xp per minute? Don't have to mention the call set up cost?

Re: Question about 0844 connection charge

chrisbtlbnewcas — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:46:39 GMT

There have been a number of changes to how 0870 numbers are charged (the last consultation report by OFCOM on this matter was in April 09).

0871, 0872 and 0873 numbers now fall under the remit of PhonePay Plus (formerly ICSTIS) which is the regulatory body that manage Premium Rate numbers. There are a plethora of rules and regulations surrounding the use of these numbers and you have to subscribe to their code of practice for using them (fines of up to £250k if these rules are breached).

As the owner of a 0844 number, there is no regulatory requirement for you to advise your customers how much it costs to call you.

It took OFCOM 4 years to make a decision on the future of the 087 number range. I'm not saying that 0844 numbers are going to be ignored but it will be some time before anything concrete comes from the regulator

Re: Question about 0844 connection charge

alstemp — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:08:52 GMT

Hi - thanks. Presumably with 0844 numbers we just have to tell customers it costs however much per minute? So we dont have to mention the call set up fee?

Re: Question about 0844 connection charge

chrisbtlbnewcas — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:23:24 GMT

You don't have to tell your customers anything. 0844 numbers are currently excluded from any regulatory interference (unlike 0870 and 0871)

It is the responsibility of your customer's telephone company to tell them how much it costs to call your number. If they call from a landline or mobile, their provider has to clearly identify the cost of calls to this type of number in their tariff guides.

Re: Question about 0844 connection charge

alstemp — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:25:24 GMT

Thanks for clarifying that, makes a lot more sense now.

Re: Question about 0844 connection charge

chrisbtlbnewcas — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:45:31 GMT

Glad to be of help

Re: Question about 0844 connection charge

gurjeetssamra — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:32:15 GMT

What are the charges for 0844 numbers