Ofcom regulatory changes as of 1st July 2015

Calling 080x numbers

All 080x numbers will now be free to call from all UK destinations including mobiles.

Inbound 080x numbers

If you own or operate an 080x number, an additional charge will be generated for calls to that number to take into consideration that they are now free of charge from all platforms including mobile operators.

Calling 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers

To make the cost to call the above numbers clearer for you, Ofcom have split the cost into two parts; a service charge and an access charge.

The service charge for numbers is set by the original range holder and remains the same regardless of where the call is made from. This will be a standard charge and cannot be adjusted from the rate set by the original range holder.

The access charge is then applied to deliver the call.

Also, as of the 1st of July, your bills will display the access charge and the service charge separately; business bills can combine the rate on the bill though this may change in the future.

Your access charge from RJ Cortel Ltd after 1st July 2015 will be £0.05per minute exclusive of VAT.

Inbound 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers

One major change is that charging bands are no longer associated to the prefix. For example ‘0870’ is longer associated with a national call rate.

All 084 and 087 numbers are now banded by their service change ranging from 1 – 13ppm. 084 numbers are capped at 7ppm and 087 numbers are capped at 13ppm.

The service charge for a number has been dictated by the original range holder and has no bearing on the previous charge for the number i.e. a 5ppm 0844 number may not remain a 5ppm service charge number.

Finally, advertising rules have changed for 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers, which are now advertised in the format, “Calls will cost you x pence per minute, plus your telephony company’s access charge.”

All of the changes come into effect on the 1st July 2015 and will be itemised on your August invoice.

There is a lot to understand, but we are here to help. If you have any questions, please visit www.ukcalling.info or get in touch with us using the details below.

If as a client you currently advertise any of the affected numbers we will very shortly be in touch via a further communication to advise you of your service charges on each number you have with us.