On 23rd April, 2009 Ofcom announced that its new 0870 number regulations would take effect from 1st August, 2009:

Ofcom has set out new rules to provide clarity about the price of calls to 0870 numbers. These new rules will encourage communication providers:

• to stop charging higher prices for calls to 0870 numbers from fixed lines and mobiles than calls to “geographic rate” numbers (01, 02 or 03 numbers); and
  
  
• to include 0870 calls in call packages on the same basis as geographic calls.

These measures may significantly reduce the cost of calling these numbers whilst increasing consumers’ awareness about the costs of calling them.

At the same time royalty out payments will no longer be available to resellers or end users when calls to 0870 numbers are charged at the same rate as a normal geographic call. Instead, end users will be charged to receive calls.

Read the full Ofcom statement here.

On 5th February, 2009 Ofcom announced extension of Premium Rate Services regulation:

Ofcom has confirmed its proposals to improve consumer protection and pricing transparency for calls to the most expensive 08 numbers. From 1 August 2009, the premium-rate regulator PhonepayPlus will regulate 0871 and 0872 numbers that are charged above 5p per minute and up to 10p per minute (for BT customers). At the same time, Ofcom will also bring 09 numbers charged at these rates (above 5p and up to 10p per minute for BT customers) within PhonepayPlus’ remit.

Consumers expressed a range of concerns to Ofcom about these numbers including a lack of clarity about call pricing and excessively long call centre waiting times. Under PhonepayPlus regulations, consumers using these numbers will:

• be better informed about the price of calls;
  
  
• be able to complain about excessively long call waiting times; and
  
  
• be better protected from scams.

Read the full Ofcom statement here.

On 6th October, 2008 Ofcom issued two further statements:

Regarding 0870 numbers:

• In May, Ofcom consulted on proposals on charges for calls to 0870 numbers. These included the proposal that all calls to 0870 numbers should cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02 numbers) unless communications providers comply with rules on publicising higher prices. At the time, Ofcom aimed to announce its conclusions on this by autumn 2008.
  
  
• However, Ofcom's work on this consultation needs to take place alongside an ongoing dispute on wholesale termination rates, the rates that operators charge each other to end 0870 calls on each others’ networks. Work on this had been suspended pending the recent judgement of the Competition Appeals Tribunal on mobile termination rate disputes which was published recently, and as a result this work has now restarted.
  
  
• Ofcom continues to assess the proposals in its May 2008 consultation and the responses to that document in light of these developments. Ofcom aims to publish a further statement on implementing any changes to 0870 policy by the end of the year.

Regarding 0871 numbers:

• Ofcom aims to publish a statement on its proposal to bring the most expensive 087 numbers (including 0871, 0872 and 0873 numbers) within the remit of PhonepayPlus (the industry-funded regulatory body for all premium rate charged telecommunications services) in the autumn.

On 2nd May, 2008 Ofcom issued two further statements:

Regarding 0870 numbers (read the full statement here):

• It is now intended not to require the use of pricing announcements after it became clear they might cause serious problems for machine-to-machine calls including personal, fire and burglar alarms, leading to potential life threatening consequences.
  
  
• It is being proposed that CPs wishing to charge more for 0870 calls than for geographic calls would be subject to new requirements to display their 0870 charges prominently on price lists, advertising and promotional materials.
  
  
• Prior to implementation of these proposals, Ofcom is obliged to conduct a public consultation and have allowed 6 weeks (until 16 June 2008) for responses. Once responses to the consultation have been reviewed Ofcom will publish a statement specifying its conclusions. Assuming no significant changes are made in response to stakeholder comments, it is anticipated that the statement will contain the final legal notifications implementing the proposals.

Regarding 0871 numbers (read the full statement here):

• Subject to further consultation it is proposed to make PhonepayPlus (the industry-funded regulatory body for all premium rate charged telecommunications services) responsible for 0871 numbers and end users will likely be required to include information about the price of calls (10p/min) in advertisements and on promotional material.
  
  
• The closing date for responses to the 0871 number consultation is 16 June 2008. Following receipt and consideration of responses Ofcom will publish a policy statement setting out its decision and hopes to publish its Policy Statement in August 2008.
  
  
• Assuming no significant changes are made as a result of the responses to the consultation, it is envisaged adopting a policy statement which would contain the final notifications implementing the modification to the PRS Condition (‘the Policy Statement’).
  
  
• Ofcom is proposing to give stakeholders three months’ notice to allow them to make final preparations for the extension of PRS regulation to 0871 numbers. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, it is Ofcom's intention that the modification to the PRS Condition would take effect three months after publication of the final notification in the Policy Statement. On this basis, PhonepayPlus would be expected to commence regulating the 0871 Number services from November 2008.

On 19th April, 2006 Ofcom confirmed measures to improve price transparency and strengthen consumer protection for calls to 0870 numbers.

These changes are part of Ofcom's final statement following its review of all chargeable 08 number ranges (known as Number Translation Services or NTS).

The main points of interest to end users of 08 numbers are as follows:

• With effect from a date in 2008 yet to be announced, the cost of calling an 0870 number will be reduced to that of a normal geographic call.
  
  
• At the same time royalty out payments will no longer be available to resellers or end users when calls to 0870 numbers are charged at the same rate as a normal geographic call.
  
  
• The option will remain to charge 0870 callers at a higher rate but all such calls will have to make a free-to-caller price pre-announcement at the start of the call.
  
  
• 0871 numbers will become regulated by PhonepayPlus (the industry-funded regulatory body for all premium rate charged telecommunications services) and end users will be required to include information about the price of calls (10p/min) in advertisements and on promotional material.
  
  
• Ofcom will review the pricing of calls to 0845 numbers in mid-2008.