Mobile calls to 0800 numbers will now be free
02/07/2015
Phone calls to numbers beginning 0800 or 0808 will now be free from mobile phones as well as landlines.
The changes are part of a new overhaul of telephone numbers from Ofcom, the communications regulator in the UK. The changes have been in the pipeline for months, and charges from service numbers beginning with 084, 087, 118 or 09, will also be simplified.
Ofcom has claimed that UK consumers spend a total of £950 million a year to 084,087,118 and 09 numbers.
The changes will effect 175 million phone numbers throughout the UK. Mobile phone users will no longer be charged for Freephone numbers and the cost of calls to service numbers will be explained as "calls cost x pence per minute, plus your phone company's access charge".
Many companies have now made the change from 08 numbers to the cheaper 03 numbers. Number beginning with 03 tend to cost the same as calls to geographic 01 and 02 numbers.
Business owners have claimed that the volume of calls to 0800 numbers will not rise, as people might be more likely to make spontaneous calls to truly freephone numbers.
This could also add an additional cost burden to businesses and put more pressure on staff, according to Justin Hamilton-Martin, chief executive of Ultracomms.
Need financial advice?
If you have any personal finance questions related to this news article, then please contact our financial advisers. You can get in touch by asking a question online, calling us on 0800 092 1245, or by arranging a visit.
Share this..
Related stories
EDF announces an increase in electricity prices
In a worrying development for UK consumers, and UK businesses, EDF has today announced an increase in electricity bills which will hit more than 1 million customers. The price increase will come into play in October and see bills increase by 2.6% to an average of £409 a year again £399 a year at the moment. This is the first major increase in utility bills for two years and many experts believe...
Read MorePawnbrokers make a comeback
News that Albemarle & Bond, a prominent UK pawnbroker, is looking to add 15 new outlets to its portfolio in Scotland this year and a further 25 next year is a perfect reflection of the difficult environment in the UK. More and more people are now making use of the services of pawnbrokers, many of which had died a death during economic boom and were relatively unknown and very unpopular amongst the...
Read MoreUK power companies under pressure over increased direct debits
It has been revealed that a number of UK power companies are placing substantial pressure on their customers to increase direct debit monthly payments. While the energy companies argue that overpayments in the summertime will make up for underpayments in the wintertime there are concerns that the industry is using as a way to increase short-term cash flow.
Many consumers are reporti...
Could Scottish and Southern be taken over by Sweden's Vattenfall
It has been revealed this weekend that UK energy company Scottish and Southern energy is in talks with Swedish counterpart Vattenfall. The financial press are suggesting an £11 billion takeover could be in the offing with talks said to be at an advanced stage. The move will see yet another of the U.K.'s leading energy companies taken over by a foreign parent amid concerns that the UK government i...
Read MoreChristmas might be a little short on finance this year
As the main UK lenders continue to pull back from issuing further credit lines to new and old customers many are starting to grow a little concerned about Christmas. The festive period has historically been based upon credit for many people as credit and shop cards go into meltdown, but this year looks like being very different.
Much like the way Egg contacted customers to warn t...