084 & 087 Complaints call costs to be capped

[davieG]

The government is to ban the use of premium-rate 084 and 087 telephone numbers for customer inquiries and complaints from next summer.

Under new legislation, companies will be prevented from charging more than the cost of a call to a mobile or local landline number.

The rules, set out in a European Union directive, are due to come into force on 13 June 2014.

Inquiry and complaint calls cost up to 41p a minute for mobile phone users.

David Hickson, of the Fair Telecoms Campaign, welcomed the government's decision, telling the BBC: "We've seen the words in the draft legislation. There's no get-outs. There's no cop-outs."

'Great opportunity'

He added: "This is going to put across a clear message that using expensive telephone numbers is not an acceptable thing to do."

Companies will still be able to charge the premium rate when customers are purchasing goods or services, but not when they call to raise questions or complaints about them.

Consumer affairs minister Jo Swinson said the government had created a "great and important opportunity to benefit consumers, businesses and provide the right framework for a stronger economy".

According to the communications regulator Ofcom, 0843 and 0844 calls cost between 1p and 13p a minute from landlines and, typically, between 15p and 41p a minute from mobile phones.

Calls to 0845 numbers cost between 1p and 10.5p a minute from landlines and from 12p to 41p from mobiles.

And, for 0870 numbers, the rates are 2p to 10p and 21p to 41p.

The change is outlined in the Department for Business and Skills's response to the European Consumer Rights Directive.

[RobHawk]

 

The government is to ban the use of premium-rate 084 and 087 telephone numbers for customer inquiries and complaints from next summer.

Under new legislation, companies will be prevented from charging more than the cost of a call to a mobile or local landline number.

The rules, set out in a European Union directive, are due to come into force on 13 June 2014.

Inquiry and complaint calls cost up to 41p a minute for mobile phone users.

David Hickson, of the Fair Telecoms Campaign, welcomed the government's decision, telling the BBC: "We've seen the words in the draft legislation. There's no get-outs. There's no cop-outs."

'Great opportunity'

He added: "This is going to put across a clear message that using expensive telephone numbers is not an acceptable thing to do."

Companies will still be able to charge the premium rate when customers are purchasing goods or services, but not when they call to raise questions or complaints about them.

Consumer affairs minister Jo Swinson said the government had created a "great and important opportunity to benefit consumers, businesses and provide the right framework for a stronger economy".

According to the communications regulator Ofcom, 0843 and 0844 calls cost between 1p and 13p a minute from landlines and, typically, between 15p and 41p a minute from mobile phones.

Calls to 0845 numbers cost between 1p and 10.5p a minute from landlines and from 12p to 41p from mobiles.

And, for 0870 numbers, the rates are 2p to 10p and 21p to 41p.

The change is outlined in the Department for Business and Skills's response to the European Consumer Rights Directive.

 

They will just leave on hold for twice as long to make up for it!!

[Captain...]

It's that bloody EU again making our lives better and easier. Love how the government spin doctors are trying to say what a great thing the government has done when it came down from the EU so had very little to do with them.

They will just leave on hold for twice as long to make up for it!!

Potentially, seeing as this will affect the profitability of running these lines there is a good chance they will look to law people off to reduce costs.

[RobHawk]

It's that bloody EU again making our lives better and easier. Love how the government spin doctors are trying to say what a great thing the government has done when it came down from the EU so had very little to do with them.

Potentially, seeing as this will affect the profitability of running these lines there is a good chance they will look to law people off to reduce costs.

 

Ha ha! I hadn't even noticed that! typical crap politics!! If someone you don't like does something good or comes up with a good idea, pretend you did it! Rule 101 of being a twat arse cnut politician - got there in the end!

[Rincewind]

It takes peoples minds off the bedroom tax farce.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

It takes peoples minds off the bedroom tax farce.

Now, now Ken, let's not go down this road again.     

[Rincewind]

Now, now Ken, let's not go down this road again.     

Sorry'

 

Does not have to be that. Can be any policy by any politician in any country. It has always been and always will be.

The only difference with the UK and other countries is that the people don't shoot them for introducing policies that are not liked by all. {)