The new charging structure - which will come into effect on 1 August 2009 - will give consumers a much clearer idea of how much it costs to call these numbers.

0870 numbers are used by many businesses and organisations to provide a single non geographic number.  However, consumers are often charged more for calling these numbers than they would if they called a 'geographic rate' (01, 02 or 03) number. And because they cost more, businesses and organisations are able to take a cut of the call charges - a practice known as revenue sharing.

However, the 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.They will also be encouraged to include 0870 calls in call packages on the same basis as geographic calls.

Communications providers that want to continue charging for 0870 calls at rates above those for geographic numbers will be bound by strict rules about how prices are publicised on websites and in promotional material at point of sale.

They will also be responsible for making sure their customers know how much they will be charged for calling an 0870 number.  Communications providers will not be allowed to advertise 0870 numbers as 'national rate' unless they are charging at geographic rates.

If they do not comply with these rules, they could be subject to enforcement action including possible fines. Ofcom's new rules should also effectively end revenue sharing on 0870 numbers, so if you currently have 0870 numbers with revenue sharing this is the perfect time to review them, and ensure that your provider complies before the new rules come in to force

If you would like us to review your non-geographic numbers, mobile contracts, land lines or call charges, please contact us today for a free review.