Ofcom announces 0870 number delay

Ofcom have announced a delay to the 1st February 2008 date for removing revenue share on 0870 numbers and restoring the geographic call charge link. A delay to 0871 regulation has also been announced.

Ofcom has formally announced the delay to the 0870 number changes that will end revenue share. These were to take effect from 1st February 2008 however Ofcom has decided to delay implementation until sometime in Spring 2008.

Why the delay?

The original plans for 0870 allowed originating communications providers to charge above the national rate for 0870 calls if they provided callers with a free to caller pre-call announcement. A similar announcement has recently been used on the 070 personal number range and as a result a number of issues have come to light. Ofcom has identified certain 0870 services, many of which protect human life and property, where the option to use pre-call announcements causes the service to fail. Ofcom has an obligation to investigate these issues regardless of whether any originating operator intended to implement this option.

When will the changes to 0870 numbers happen?

Ofcom are not giving a firm timescale and instead their announcement refers to Spring 2008. We do not expect a firm date to be forthcoming at this stage.

The full Ofcom letter on the delay can be found here.

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