0800 numbers from mobiles

0800 numbers from mobiles are very expensive. Ofcom research into this area of the market appears to suggest that most people were aware that 0800 numbers means free.

However, when dialling 0800 numbers from mobiles, it is not very well known that it can cost up to 50p/min., arguably the same costs as it would cost to dial a premium rate number.

Orange used to allow business customers the opportunity to dial 0800 numbers from their mobile network without charge but this is no longer allowed and indeed all mobile operators now charge to make calls from their networks to 0800 numbers.

The general awareness of 03 numbers as being free to dial from mobiles has been less well documented and highlighted by the regulating body, even though they were first issued in March 2007.

Research has shown that most people now understand that 0845 numbers are not considered local as they have not kept with the pace of change on geographic local and national calls which can, in many instances, be free of charge

There has been a rise in the number of 0800 number directory, but when you consider that over 40% of voice calls now emanate from mobile phones, surely a big push towards using 03 numbers should be on the agenda.

Ofcom were due to review the revenue sharing aspects of 0845 numbers in late 2009 once the dust had settled on the whole issue of revenue sharing on 0870 and to date have not made any formal announcements on 0845 but are due to deliberate on 0845 very soon.

However, it should be noted that one of the main reasons that 0870 revenue sharing was abolished was because the 0870 call was considerably more than the cost of a call to a local or national number. Fundamentally, Ofcom should review the tariffs mobile operators charge to carry the 0800 traffic across their network and moreover international roaming charges.

0808 numbers are also the same cost and often a 10 minute call can cost about £5.00 which seems completely unacceptable to most of the public.

0500 numbers are not exempt either and when you consider that BBC's crimewatch programme used these numbers on their DRTV advertising it almosts beggars belief when you consider that it is the poor and marginalisedsectors of society who are askedto pay these charges.

0800 numbers are, however, great from the perspective that they can be routed to mobiles at very short notice that means plumbers, electricians, etc. who cannot affordto man their offices 24/7 can go out and divert their calls to their 0800 numbers to mobiles without fear that they potentially miss an important telephone call.

0800 numbers for small businesses can also decrease the barriers to people calling them for their services and if a 5 minute call costs 50p then that is potentially
money well spent as their average order value may be £200.00 in some cases.

0800 numbers can also offer the illusion to the end customer/potential customer that the company has large and nationwide presence.

Free call recording of all calls can be achieved with 0800 numbers and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) services can be tagged onto the back ofthe numberto improve a customers customer service experience, thereby increasing client retention rates.